The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released around P29.5 billion worth of assistance to various beneficiaries in President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days in office.
The DBM said the different forms of assistance included support to farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law; vulnerable households impacted by inflation; those crisis situations; and typhoon and earthquake victims.
Assistance was also released for funding free rides for commuters along the Edsa Carousel Route as well as eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 healthcare response.
The list of assistance provided to various beneficiaries includes: P8 billion – for the Department of Agriculture’s distribution of P5,000 in subsidy to 1,563,781 eligible rice farmers affected by the Rice Tariffication Law in the third and fourth quarters of 2022; P4.1 billion – for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) distribution of the second tranche of the P500 monthly cash aid for low-income families or the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) Program intended to cushion the impact of rising fuel and commodity prices; P2 billion – for the DSWD’s distribution of cash aid to those in difficult circumstances, including those in crisis situations or the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS); P1.5 billion – for the DSWD’s distribution of P10,000 emergency shelter assistance to 153,410 totally damaged houses in Regions 6, 8, 10 and 13 that were affected by Typhoon Odette; P1.4 billion – for the Department of Transportation’s funding to support the extended “Libreng Sakay” program that funds free rides for commuters along the Edsa Carousel Route until December 2022; P1 billion – for the Department of Health’s (DOH) funding to cover the unpaid COVID-19 special risk allowance claims of 55,211 health worker; ad P11.5 billion – for the DOH’s funding to cover the One Covid-19 Allowance or Health Emergency Claims of over 1.6 million eligible public and private healthcare and non-healthcare workers.
President Marcos also signed five executive orders (EOs), 65 proclamations, five memorandum orders (MOs), six memorandum circulars, and one special order were signed while five bills were vetoed in his first 100 days.
Marcos’ first two and fifth EOs abolished certain offices and reorganized the bureaucracy. EO 1 abolished the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS) to simplify the internal management of offices under the Office of the President (OP).
Under EO 1, the jurisdiction, powers, and functions of the PACC were transferred to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs. EO 1 also gives the Executive Secretary supervision, control, and oversight functions over all agencies and offices under and attached
to the OP.
The order also creates an Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs which will be under the administration of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.
Likewise, EO 2 reverted the Presidential Communications Operations Office to the Office (PCOO) of the Press Secretary (OPS).
APO Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast Services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News and Information Bureau (including the Philippines News Agency), and People’s Television Network are now attached to the OPS.
Radio Television Malacañang, which was previously under the supervision of the now defunct PCOO, was placed under the direct supervision and control of PMS.
The Philippine Information Agency was placed under the direct supervision of the OP.
EO 5 transferred the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to “rationalize the functional structures of agencies with complementary mandates.”
On Sept. 12, Marcos issued EO 3 which allowed the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings, particularly in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.
However, not fully-vaccinated individuals, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear their masks.
Face masks must also continue to be worn in indoor private or public establishments including public transportation and settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
To help agrarian reform beneficiaries in the country, Marcos issued EO 4 imposing a one-year moratorium on the payment and interest of land amortization.
The OP said around 654,000 ARBs are expected to benefit from the EO.
Marcos first announced this plan to unburden farmers of their debts during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.
