The government is aiming to distribute the PHP200 monthly subsidy to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) within the month, Malacañang said Thursday.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson Martin Andanar said around 12 million poor individuals will benefit from the cash aid.

“Once po na ma-download na iyong pera na nagkakahalaga ng PHP33 billion ay ibibigay na po talaga at ang target po at this month ay masimulan na po (Once the money, amounting to PHP33 billion, is downloaded, it will be distributed and the target is to start it this month),” he said in an interview over Dobol B TV.

Andanar said the PHP200 monthly subsidy will be given on top of the 4Ps conditional cash grant of up to PHP3,450 per month.

The 4Ps conditional cash grant is composed of a PHP750 health and nutrition grant, educational grants for a maximum of three children per household – PHP700 for senior high school, PHP500 for junior high school, PHP300 for elementary, and a PHP600 rice subsidy.

“Mayroon na po, mayroon na pong pondo dito, kaya nga po ay very conservative iyong ating economic cluster sa pagbigay nito. Kailangan ay sigurado po talaga na mayroon tayong pondo (We already have funds for this. That is why the economic cluster is very conservative in giving it because we have to ensure our funds first),” he said.

He echoed Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s statement acknowledging that the PHP200 monthly subsidy “is not enough” but it was all the government could afford “at this time.”

“Ang sinabi po kasi ni Secretary Dominguez, it is what we can afford as of today. So, obviously, kung ano po iyong kaya lang ng kaban ng bayan ay iyon lang ang maibibigay natin, kasi kung susobra naman tayo doon ay mangungutang na naman tayo (As Secretary Dominguez said, it is what we can afford as of today. So, obviously, what the treasury can only give is all we can give, because if we go over there, we will have to take loans again),” he added.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation to retain the fuel excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law amid the continuing increase of oil and petroleum products prices.

He also approved the release of PHP200 monthly subsidies per household for one year to the bottom 50 percent of Filipino families, amounting to PHP33.1 billion in budgetary requirements.

Dominguez said the estimated revenue losses from excise tax suspension are around PHP105.9 billion in 2022, PHP114.4 billion in 2023, and PHP123.6 billion in 2024. (PNA)