Supplement to the Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, Otherwise Known as Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2019

April 20, 2020

DSWD MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 011-20

SUPPLEMENT TO THE REVISED GUIDELINES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATION, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 11, SERIES OF 2019

I. RATIONALE

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the leader in social protection is mandated to contribute to better quality of life of the Filipino people. Priority attention shall be given to the poor, vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the society, especially during this time when a state of public health emergency has been declared all throughout the Philippines pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 922, series of 2020.

On 12 March 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) per Resolution No. 11, Series of 2020, raised the COVID-19 threat to the highest alert level, Code Red Sublevel 2, due to the evidence of sustained community transmission of the disease. Concomitantly, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, approved the recommendation to declare a community quarantine in the National Capital Region (NCR) on 15 March 2020 and (beginning 17 March 2020 the declaration on an enhanced community quarantine was expanded in the entire Luzon.

The declaration of community quarantine and the corresponding imposition of Stringent Social Distancing Measures affected the mobility among people as ingress and egrees to and from NCR have been restricted, causing the implementation of alternative working arrangements in government and private offices, suspension of operations or closure of small business establishments and imposition of curfew hours by some local government units (LGUs).The affected sectors such as senior citizens, pregnant and lactating women, solo parents, persons with disability, homeless families, and workers in the informal sector.

With the call for an intensified government response that enjoins all agencies and LGUs to render full assistance and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake urgent and appropriate measures to curtail the effects of the recent declarations on the economic, physical, and psychosocial well-being of the above-enumerated sectors, the DSWD shall implement social welfare and social protection programs especially the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

II. LEGAL BASES

A. Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Declaring A State of Public Health Emergency Throughout the Philippines.

B. Office of the President, Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 15 March 2020, Stringent Social Distancing Measures and Further Guidelines for the Management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation.

C. Office of the President, Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated 16 March 2020, Community Quarantine Over the entire Luzon and Further Guidelines for the Management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation.

D. Presidential Proclamation No. 929, Declaring A State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines due to Coronavirus Disease 2019.

E. Advisory No. 1, Series of 2020,Guidelines for The Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of the Spread of the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) in the DSWD Central Office, Field Offices, Other Facilities, Attached and Supervised Agencies.

F. Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2019, Revised Guidelines on The Implementation of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.

III. COVERAGE

These supplemental guidelines shall never the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the DSWD in relation to Memorandum Circular No. 11, series of 2019.

IV. OBJECTIVES

To allow additional distribution schemes in Item VII. Implementing Procedures (3) (b), MC No. 11, series of 2019 for the efficient distribution of AICS to its beneficiaries in lieu of outright cash payment due to the prohibition against mass gatherings and the imposition of strict social distancing measures in areas under community quarantine because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

V. SCHEMES FOR ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS

The DSWD, in the distribution of its social amelioration programs, may resort to the most expeditious means which may include any of the following:

1. Direct cash payouts;

2. Payment through electronic or digital means;

3. Cash card payments:

4. Transfer of funds through other NGAs; or

5. Any other expeditious mode of delivery.

VI. REPEALING CLAUSE

All stipulations related to the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation inconsistent with this circular are hereby superseded.

VII. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE

This Circular shall take effect immediately upon signing and shall be in full force and effect until repealed.

Signed on the 20th of April 2020, in Quezon City.

(SGD.) ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTASecretary