REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

JOINT MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 1

SERIES OF 2020

SPECIAL GUIDELINES ON THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL AMELIORATION

MEASURES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENT
OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, AND
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO THE MOST
AFFECTED RESIDENTS OF THE AREAS UNDER ENHANCED COMMUNITY
QUARANTINE

1. Rationale

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 on 17 March 2020 the recommendation to declare an Enhanced Community
Quarantine in the entirety of Luzon.

The declaration of community quarantine and the corresponding imposition of

Stringent Social Distancing Measures affected the population’s mobility as ingress
and egress 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 business establishments, suspension of public mass
transportation, imposition of curfew hours, and implementation of heightened
community quarantine by some local government units (LGUs).

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 Despite the protocols imposed relative to the Enhanced Community Quarantine,
the struggle of the Filipino families for economic survival continues. Apparently,
despite knowing the reports of the increasing number of persons under
investigation (PUI), persons under monitoring (PUM), and confirmed cases, which
as of 27 March 2020 is already 803 individuals, people feel compelled to provide
for their families, evading quarantine protocols in the process. This risky behavior
will continue until clear and established support and social amelioration measures
are implemented by the government.

The “Bayanihan to Heal As One” Act empowers the National Government to

provide an emergency subsidy to eighteen (18) million low-income families as
defined in this JMC. The subsidy shall amount to a minimum of Five Thousand
Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) to a maximum of Eight Thousand Pesos (PhP 8,000.00) a
month for two (2) months to provide for basic food, medicine, and toiletries. The
subsidy shall be computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates
and the existing subsidy programs of the local and national governments. For
programs with insufficient funding, the national government shall augment the
funds so that each eligible family gets the threshold of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP
5,000.00) to Eight Thousand Pesos (PhP 8,000.00), in cash or in kind, depending
on the prescribed minimum wage rate per region.

It is on this premise that the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD), in coordination and collaboration with other national government
agencies such as, but not limited to, Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA),
Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall implement
social protection programs, projects, and services to mitigate the effects of the
declaration on the economic, physical and psychosocial well-being of the most
vulnerable sectors. This intensified government response on the implementation
of social amelioration measures by concerned agencies shall ensure mobilization
of the necessary resources for the provision of urgent and appropriate services
and assistance. Hence, this Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) shall guarantee
that basic needs of the affected individuals and communities during and after the
implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine shall be provided by the
government to mitigate the effects.

2. Purpose and Coverage

This JMC shall be the guidelines and basis by and among the DSWD, DOLE, DTI,
DA, DOF, DBM, and DILG to streamline and harmonize its various social

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 amelioration programs to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19
health crisis and the Enhanced Community Quarantine guidelines. This shall cover
individuals, families, and communities affected by the COVID-19 as stipulated in
this JMC.

3. Legal Bases

3.1. Sections 4, 5, 9, and 15, Article II, 1987 Constitution.

3.2. Section 11 and 12 of Article XIII, of the 1987 Constitution.
3.3. Section 4, Article XV, 1987 Constitution.
3.4. Republic Act 10121 or the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010”.
3.5. Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”.
3.6. Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Declaring a State of Public Health
Emergency Throughout the Philippines.
3.7. Item 8 of Inter-Agency Task Force Enhanced Community Quarantine
Operational Guidelines.

4. Social Amelioration Operational Framework

The operational framework is coherent with the social protection policy of the
Philippine Government. Clustering of government programs and services under
Relief and Recovery seek to reduce or mitigate the effect of community quarantine

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 due to COVID-19 by providing basic needs, urgent responses to socio-economic
shocks to vulnerable sectors, and strengthening people's capacity to respond to
risks.

Emphasizing the whole-of-nation approach in addressing food insecurity, hunger,

sudden loss of income, and unemployment is among the most important factors to
consider in order to guarantee that the well-being of the Filipino people will be
sustained in times of the Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19. Given the
context of the situation, it is deemed necessary for the government as a duty-
bearer to ensure that rights and welfare of affected sectors are protected and
promoted. The principles of human rights and inclusivity provide a moral grounding
to guarantee that all affected families shall have access to programs and services
in overcoming the challenges brought by this situation.

5. Definition of Terms
5.1. Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) – A social amelioration program to
provide cash or non-cash subsidy to eighteen (18) million household
beneficiaries, as defined in this JMC, in the amount of at least Five
Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) to a maximum of Eight Thousand Pesos
(PhP 8,000.00) per month for two (2) months, for basic food, medicine, and
toiletries.

The ESP shall be provided by the national government, through various

National and Local Government social amelioration programs, computed
based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates, and taking into
account the subsidy amount given under the DSWD’s Conditional Cash
Transfer (CCT) program and the rice subsidy program, estimated at an
average of PhP 2,150.00 per month per family. In this regard, the National
Government will augment the CCT and rice subsidy in order to reach the
applicable emergency subsidy amount.

In accordance with RA 11469, the ESP shall be implemented for two (2)
months covering the months of April and May, 2020. The Emergency
Subsidy shall be distributed through any of the programs enumerated in
Section 7 so long as the total amount from various social amelioration
programs does not exceed the prescribed thresholds as defined in this JMC.

The following table gives the subsidy amount for each household in the
region of residence, computed as a proportion to the respective regional
minimum wage rates:

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 Subsidy amount in pesos
Daily minimum
Region per month (per
wage in pesos
household)
NCR 537 8,000
CAR 350 5,500
1 340 5,500
2 370 5,500
3 420 6,500
4A 400 6,500
4B 320 5,000
5 310 5,000
6 395 6,000
7 404 6,000
8 315 5,000
9 316 5,000
10 365 6,000
11 396 6,000
12 326 5,000
CARAGA 320 5,000
ARMM 325 5,000

5.2. Social Amelioration Card (SAC) - A form, distributed at the barangay level,
that captures the family profile which will be the mechanism for the affected
families to access the social amelioration programs of the government.

5.3. Food and Non-Food Items (FNI) - Food and essential personal hygiene
and family items regularly provided by the DSWD during disaster

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 operations; however, taking into consideration the declaration of the
Enhanced Community Quarantine to lessen exposure to other individuals,
DSWD shall provide food packs during the quarantine period as an
augmentation to the LGUs, as agreed by the members of the Inter-Agency
Task Force Technical Working Group (IATF-TWG) on social amelioration.

5.4. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) - Provision of

integrated services by the DSWD to individuals and families in crisis or
difficult situations that serve as social safety nets or stop-gap measures to
support their recovery.

5.5. Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) - Capability-building program for

the poor, vulnerable and marginalized families and communities to help
improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring
necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods. It is one of
the core programs of the DSWD providing livelihood assistance during
natural or human-induced disasters.

5.6. Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) - Financial assistance granted to

qualified SLP beneficiaries whose livelihoods were affected by the
declaration of community quarantine. The LAG aims to assist the SLP
beneficiaries’ recovery from economic losses and can be used as a seed
capital to start-up new or enhance existing feasible and viable micro-
enterprises, purchase inputs or starter kits needed for the identified micro-
enterprise and/or for employment-related activities such as, but not limited
to, transportation / fare expenses.

5.7. Target Beneficiaries - The families that belong to either the poor or
informal sector which are at risk of not earning a living during the Enhanced
Community Quarantine, who may have at least one (1) member belonging
to any of the following vulnerable or disadvantaged sectors:
5.7.1. Senior Citizens;
5.7.2. Persons with Disability;
5.7.3. Pregnant and Lactating Women;
5.7.4. Solo Parents;
5.7.5. Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Distress - they shall refer to OFs who
were repatriated or banned from traveling outside the Philippines on
account of the COVID-19 breakout, from January 2020 until the lifting
of the community quarantine;

5.7.6. Indigent Indigenous Peoples - Those certified as poor by the

National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-
PR) or the subject Field Office of the DSWD or those who are living

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 in recognized ancestral domains whose income solely depend on
subsistence economy as those engaged in indigenous means of
livelihood as hunting, gathering or foraging as certified by the NCIP
or tribal chieftain/council of elders or those who are informal
economy workers.

5.7.7. Underprivileged Sector and Homeless Citizens - Individuals or

families residing in urban, urbanizable and rural areas whose income
or combined family income falls within the poverty threshold as
defined by the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) or those who do not own housing facilities. This shall also
include those who live in makeshift dwelling units and do not enjoy
security of tenure.

5.7.8. Informal Economy Workers - Those who are independent, self-

employed, small-scale producers and distributors of goods and
services like the following:
5.7.8.1. Directly Hired or Occasional Workers - Persons who are
contracted to do work on an irregular basis, hired by the direct
recipient of the service and whose salary is completely
dependent upon the completion of the particular work for
which he or she was hired (e.g. laundry maid);
5.7.8.2. Subcontracted Workers - Any person who is an employee of
a subcontractor, as defined by Article 106 and 107 of the
Labor Code (e.g. pakyaw workers);
5.7.8.3. Homeworkers - Any person who performs in or about his
home any processing of goods or materials, in whole or in
part, which have been furnished directly or indirectly by an
employer and thereafter to be returned to the latter (e.g. family
enterprise such as those involved in craftsmaking, native
delicacy production, home-based food processing);
5.7.8.4. Househelpers - Persons defined as “kasambahay” under
Section 4 (d) of R.A. 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act who
are currently not receiving any remuneration from their family
of work, or who cannot report to work due to the community
quarantine (e.g. kasambahay or family driver);
5.7.8.5. Drivers of Pedicab, Tricycle, PUJs, UVs, PUBs, Taxi,
Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) and Transport
Network Companies (TNC) - Persons driving a pedicab,
tricycle, jeepney, van, taxi, TNVS, TNC, owned by another
person and only subject to a boundary system; provided that
those who own the vehicle they drive are still eligible if their

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 income is solely dependent thereon (e.g. Angkas and Joyride
drivers);
5.7.8.6. Micro-entrepreneurs and Producers, Operators of Sari-sari
Stores, and the like - Persons operating independent, small-
scale enterprises and distributors of goods and services the
scope of business or service any business activity or
enterprise engaged in industry, agri-business and/or services
that has: (1) an asset size (less land) of less than P100,000;
5.7.8.7. Family Enterprise Owners - Families operating or managing
small businesses such as retail, food production, and vending;
(not limited to owners of carinderia, fruit or vegetable vendors
and vendors in streets, RTW, etc.);
5.7.8.8. Sub Minimum Wage Earners - Any person who earns a wage
below the prescribed minimum and is the sole income-earner
of their family (e.g. dishwashers or helpers in carinderia);
5.7.8.9. Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Farm workers - persons engaged
in agriculture and fisheries related activities, farm services
and secondary processing whose monthly family income falls
under the poverty line; and,
5.7.8.10. Employees affected by “no work, no pay” policy and not
covered by DOLE Order No. 209, Series of 2020 or any DOLE
issuance/s on adjustment measures program;
5.7.8.11. Stranded workers – for the purpose of these guidelines, refer
to individuals affected by work suspension or closure who are
in sites or places other than their permanent residence and
unable to return home on account of the community
quarantine (e.g. construction workers stranded in their
respective construction site/s).

5.8. COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) - DOLE’s safety net

program for affected workers in the formal sector to mitigate the adverse
economic impacts of reduction of income brought about by the COVID-19
pandemic. The program components include a one-time financial
assistance of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) and employment
facilitation.

5.9. Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers

Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection/Sanitation Project (TUPAD
#BKBK) - A community-based safety net program of DOLE that provides
temporary wage employment to the informal economy workers, such as but
not limited to underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized
workers who have lost their livelihood or whose earnings were affected due
to the community quarantine against COVID-19.

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5.10. Affected Establishments - Private establishments that have implemented
Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) as defined under DOLE Labor
Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020 (i.e. reduction of work hours / work days,
rotation of workers, forced leave) or temporary closure as mitigating
measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

5.11. Affected Workers - Workers in private establishments whose employment

face or suffer interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
5.11.1. Retained workers who do not receive regular wage – Workers whose
working hours and, therefore, regular wage is reduced due to the
implementation of Flexible Work Arrangements, as defined under
DOLE Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020, (i.e. reduction of work
hours/work days, rotation of workers, forced leave) as mitigating
measures enforced by the employer.
5.11.2. Suspended workers - Workers whose employment is temporarily
suspended by reason of the suspension of operations of the
employer’s business establishment.

5.12. Formal Sector Workers - Workers in the formal economy, regardless of

status, or those who are employed by any person acting directly or indirectly
in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.

5.13. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises - Any business activity or

enterprise engaged in industry, agribusiness and/or services, whether
single proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation whose total
assets, inclusive of those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on
which the particular business entity’s office, plant and equipment are
situated, must have value falling under the following categories:
a) Micro : Not more than PhP 3,000,000
b) Small : PhP 3,000,001 - PhP 15,000,000
c) Medium : PhP 15,000,001 - PhP 100,000,000

5.14. COVID 19 Pondo Para sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso Enterprise

Rehabilitation Fund (P3 - ERF) - A One Billion Peso
(PhP1,000,000,000.00) special financing program by the Small Business
Corporation (SBCorp) of the Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) for
MSMEs affected by COVID-19.

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 5.15. Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso (P3) - A financing program
established by SB Corporation for micro enterprises with an asset not
exceeding Three Million Pesos (PhP 3,000,000.00) at not more than 2.5
percent per month all-in interest rate and service charges.

5.16. Moratorium on loan payment for SB Corporation borrowers - Refers to

payment moratorium which can be granted to borrowers affected by
COVID-19 under regular and P3 loan programs of SB Corporation.

5.17. Cash Assistance to Rice Farmers (Rice Farmer Financial Assistance)1

- A one-time financial assistance amounting to Five Thousand Pesos (Php
5,000.00) to be given to rice farmers with farm sizes ranging from 1 hectare
and below and listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in
Agriculture (RSBSA).

5.18. Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance Program for Marginalized,

Small Farmers and Fishers - A zero percent interest rate loan assistance
amounting to Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 25,000.00) to be given to
eligible borrowers affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine, to be
validated by DA Regional Field Offices and Local Government Units

5.19. Recovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in

Agriculture and Fisheries Food Production, and other Supply Chain
Activities in Accordance with the Agripreneurship Development
Fund/Program of the ACPC - A package consisting of financial assistance
and capacity building for micro and small enterprises engaged in agriculture
and fisheries production, and other supply chain activities, to ensure the
availability of food supply, and help them recover their losses due to the
enhanced community quarantine.

5.20. Capacitating Municipal Fishers - For the DA- Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources to Provide support to vulnerable fisherfolk and pond
operators in Luzon whose livelihoods were adversely affected during

1
As per Republic Act 11465 otherwise known as General Appropriations Act Fiscal Year 2020 Special Provision No. 14, herein
referred as Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers.

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 Enhanced Community Quarantine, providing assistance to sustain food
production and keep their family and workers employed.

6. Funding for the Social Amelioration Programs

6.1. The National Government Agencies (NGAs) covered in this JMC shall
continue to use their own appropriated, existing, and available funds for
their respective social amelioration programs, subject to the pertinent
budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

6.2. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, in the event that the funding for
such amelioration programs has been fully utilized or in case deficiency, the
funding requirement therefor may be sourced from savings on the other
items of appropriations in the FYs 2019 and 2020 GAA in the executive
department, whether released or unreleased, the allotments for which
remain unobligated, including unutilized or unreleased subsidies and
transfers held by any GOCC, subject to approval of the President,
consistent with Section 4 (v), (x) and (y) of Republic Act No. 11469.

7. Social Amelioration Programs

7.1. Food and Non-Food Items (FNI) Distribution

7.1.1. The sustained distribution of FNI to the most affected families shall
be done in coordination with the concerned LGU based on the
implementation plan submitted by the Regional Offices of the DSWD.
The final list shall be provided by the LGU and the same shall be
endorsed to the DSWD Regional or Field Offices.
7.1.2. The DSWD shall provide and coordinate with the AFP and the PNP
in the hauling of FNI. The AFP and/or PNP shall bring the FNI to the
delivery or distribution points designated by the LGUs, and the latter
shall be responsible for the distribution to the target beneficiaries.
Observance of strict home quarantine and prohibition of mass
gatherings during distribution of FNI are enjoined by the LGUs.
7.1.3. Air-dropping of FNI to LGUs identified delivery points may also be
employed to ensure delivery in Geographically Isolated and
Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and areas with high incidence of
contagion.
7.1.4. The DSWD shall coordinate with the DTI to procure the necessary
volume of items to be manufactured or produced for the foodpacks.

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 The DTI shall liaison with non-government organizations and private
corporations to source FNI as well as possible warehousing and
packaging centers.
7.1.5. The DTI shall establish the Quadrant System for manufacturing and
production of the items in the food packs; and, as may be deemed
practicable, adopt the Quadrant System for repacking.
7.1.6. The DA shall ensure, through the necessary guidelines, the supply
of rice buffer stock for 30-day period, food and non-food materials
coming from provinces, metro centers, and urban farms; as well as,
provide support to DTI in managing supply line production and
overall food security (i.e. rolling food stores).
7.1.7. The DA and its attached agencies shall, as may be practicable under
the circumstances, provide direct-to-consumer mobile stores
(KADIWA in Ani at Kita), cold storage, and warehousing facilities for
FNI particularly in COVID-19 affected areas and strategic drop off
points identified by LGUs.

7.2. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)

7.2.1. An assistance in the form of outright cash in the amount of Three
Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,000.00) shall be provided to the target
beneficiaries to assist in providing the basic needs of their families.
Provided that, a family shall be entitled to a cash assistance
amounting to Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) when two or
more family members belong to the identified sectors in Section 5.7
provided that, it shall only be given once a month during the
quarantine period.

Burial assistance in the maximum amount of TWENTY FIVE

THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 25,000), may also be claimed by families
that suffered loss due to death of member/s caused by COVID-19,
to defray the funeral expenses of the deceased; Provided that, the
assistance may be claimed only for indigent COVID-19 confirmed
cases and PUIs whether they, at the time of death, are undergoing
home quarantine or admitted in a public or private facility.

7.2.2. Distribution shall be made on the basis of the pre-existing AICS

guidelines, without prejudice to other means and methods the DSWD
may approve and implement.

7.3. Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG)

7.3.1. The LAG will only be provided to SLP beneficiary families having at
least one (1) member who is a worker in the informal sector, and is
displaced by reason of the declaration. The family must be in the
masterlist endorsed by the LGU to the DSWD FO and its eligibility

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 for LAG shall be subject to the assessment of the DSWD staff. The
maximum amount of LAG per eligible family shall not exceed Fifteen
Thousand Pesos (PhP 15,000.00). A family shall only be qualified to
avail the assistance once regardless of the number of family
members belonging to the identified sectors.
7.3.2. Release of Assistance - The LAG will be in the form of financial
assistance which may be released to the beneficiary either in cash
or individual check. The beneficiary shall undergo the processes
required by the SLP for the release of LAG, in accordance with the
existing guidelines of the SLP.
7.3.3. Distribution Scheme
7.3.3.1. Families assessed to be qualified recipients of LAG shall be
provided with the grant as soon as the declaration of public
health emergency or community quarantine, whichever
comes first, is lifted. However, in case proper authorities
require, the DSWD may distribute the LAG to the beneficiaries
during the quarantine period.
7.3.3.2. The LAG shall be directly released to the recipients through
cash pay-out by the Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs)
designated by the DSWD CO or FO. The release of LAG can
be through house-to-house or on a designated site of pay-out,
or through any mode that is most convenient and safe for both
the SDOs and the beneficiaries.
7.3.3.3. Nothing in the provisions of these guidelines shall limit the
DSWD from resorting to Section 872 of the General
Appropriations Act of 2020 to further effectuate the provisions
hereof.

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SECTION 87. Implementation of Nationally Funded Projects. Pursuant to Sec. 17 (c) of R.A. No. 7160, the National Government
may designate LGUs as implementing agencies for public works, infrastructure projects, including the construction of the local roads,
other facilities, services and other programs appropriated in this Act of the following agencies: Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Health (DOH), Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), subject to the
following:
a) The LGU has the capability to implement the foregoing by administration or contract and in accordance with the design,
plan, specifications, and such other standards and policies of the National Government;
b) The LGU-recipient of nationally funded local public works and infrastructure projects and other programs, services and
facilities shall commit to fund the cost of maintenance and repairs thereof; and
c) The amount appropriated to LGUs shall be released during the fiscal year to be deposited in a trust fund and shall be
made available for disbursement for the purpose specified until December 31, 2021.
After the end of validity period, any unreleased appropriations shall lapse, while undisbursed funds shall revert to the unappropriated
surplus of the General Fund in accordance with Section 28, Chapter 4, Book VI of EO No. 292.
The LGU shall submit quarterly reports on fund utilization and accomplishments through other electronic means and LGU’s website.
The LGU shall send written notice when said reports have been submitted or posted on its website to the DBM, House of
Representatives, Senate of the Philippines, House Committee on Appropriations, Senate Committee on Finance, and other offices
where the submission of reports is required under existing laws, rules and regulations. The date of notice to said agencies shall be
considered the date of compliance with this requirement.

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7.4. COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP)
7.4.1. A one-time financial assistance equivalent to Five Thousand Pesos
(PhP 5,000.00) shall be provided to affected formal sector workers
in lump sum, non-conditional, regardless of employment status.
7.4.2. Procedural Guidelines
7.4.2.1. Eligibility - Applicant must be a private establishment that has
implemented FWAs or temporary closure due to the COVID-
19 pandemic.
7.4.2.2. Documentary Requirements - Affected establishment must
submit: (a) Establishment Report on the COVID-19 pursuant
to Labor Advisory No. 09, Series of 2020; and (b) Company
Payroll for the month prior the implementation of FWAs or
temporary closure.
7.4.2.3. Application Procedures - Applications with complete
documentary requirements shall be submitted online to the
appropriate DOLE Regional Office or any of its
Provincial/Field Offices. Applications shall be evaluated by the
concerned DOLE Regional Office within three (3) working
days from receipt thereof.
7.4.2.3.1. A Notice of Approval, for an approved application; or, a
Notice of Denial for a denied application shall be issued
to the applicant by the concerned DOLE Regional
Office within three (3) working days through electronic
mail from the date thereof.
7.4.2.3.2. The concerned DOLE Regional Office shall issue the
financial support directly to the beneficiary’s payroll
account through bank transfer at the soonest possible
time upon receipt of complete documentary
requirements. For cash payroll, financial support shall
be received through money remittance. Upon receipt of
financial support, a Notice of Completion shall be
issued to the affected establishment within three (3)
working days through electronic mail.

7.5. Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers

Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection/Sanitation Project (TUPAD
#BKBK)
7.5.1. For the implementation of TUPAD #BKBK, the following are no
longer eligible to avail of the assistance under the program:
a) Those who have availed of the P5,000 one-time cash
assistance through the DOLE CAMP;

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 b) Those who are under the expanded and enhanced
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program;
c) Those who have already received cash assistance through
the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation
(AICS); or,
d) Rice farmers who have already received cash assistance
from the DA.
7.5.2. The beneficiaries who received cash and non-cash assistance from
the Local Government Unit and/or NGAs may still qualify to avail of
the TUPAD #BKBK program provided that the combined amount
from the LGU, other NGAs and DOLE shall not exceed the
emergency subsidy specified under Section 4 (c) of RA 11469.
7.5.3. Qualified beneficiaries shall be required to work for four (4) hours a
day for a maximum of ten (10) days and will be paid wages
equivalent to 100% of the prevailing highest minimum wage in the
region. The payment of wages shall be through money remittance
service providers or direct cash pay-out.
7.5.4. The nature of work shall be the disinfection/sanitation of the qualified
beneficiaries' houses or dwellings and immediate vicinity.
7.5.5. The LGU shall submit a letter of intent, work program, and summary
list of beneficiaries to avail of the program.

7.6. COVID-19 P3 ERF

7.6.1. The following are the salient features of COVID-19 P3 ERF:
a) Loan amount of PhP 10,000.00 up to PhP 500,000.00 for
small enterprises with asset size of not more than PhP
10,000,000.00; or, loan amount from PhP 10,000.00 up to
PhP 200,000.00 for micro enterprises
b) Discounted 0.5% monthly interest rate
c) Prolonged grace period until such time that the current crisis
is abated.
7.6.2. Eligibility - The loan is available to all micro and small enterprises
with at least one year continuous operation prior to March 2020, and
whose businesses suffered drastic reduction in sales during the
ensuing epidemic
7.6.3. Loan conditions - The proceeds of the loan may be used only for the
following purposes:
a) Updating of loan amortizations for vehicle loans or other fixed
asset loans of the affected business;
b) Inventory replacement for damaged perishable stock;
c) Working capital replacement to restart the business.
7.6.4. Documentary Requirements – Claimants must submit: a) Barangay
Clearance and b) LGU certification of business establishment for at
least one year.

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 7.6.5. The loan facility shall be implemented, by the proper DTI
Memorandum Circular, as soon as the Community Quarantine
declarations are lifted by the National Government and/or respective
Local Government Units.

7.7. Moratorium on Loan Payments of Small Business Corporation

Borrowers
7.7.1. Payment moratorium under the Regular and P3 loan programs of the
Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) shall be granted to affected
borrowers situated in areas declared under community quarantine or
partial lockdown, with the following conditions:
a) A request is submitted by affected borrowers thru email or
SMS;
b) Affected borrowers shall be allowed to pay only their interest
due for the succeeding six months. Interest rate will continue
to accrue during the moratorium. The term of their loan shall
be extended based on the number of months covered by the
moratorium.
7.7.2. The above conditions shall be subject to the re-evaluation of the
management of the Small Business Corporation prior to the end of
the moratorium.

7.8. Price Freeze

DTI, DA, DOH, DOE, DILG and DENR shall ensure that prices of basic
necessities shall be automatically frozen at their prevailing prices in areas
declared under state of calamity as provided in Joint Memorandum Circular
No 2020-01 signed by DTI, DA and DOH on 18 March 2020.

7.9. Cash Assistance for Rice Farmers (Rice Farmer Financial Assistance)3
7.9.1. A one-time provision of decoupled payments amounting to Five
Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) to eligible rice farmer beneficiaries
through identified GFIs. It shall cater smallholder rice farmers whose
farm sizes range from 1 hectare and below. These farmers must be
registered in the updated Registry System for Basic Sectors in
Agriculture (RSBSA) as per approved registration and updating
protocol.

3
As per Republic Act 11465 otherwise known as General Appropriations Act Fiscal Year 2020 Special Provision No. 14, herein
referred as Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers.

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 7.9.2. For distribution of cash assistance under DA, the GFIs may utilize
any combination of the following modes:
a) Cash Card;
b) Cash Card of other authorized banks;
c) Over-the counter (OTC);
d) Conduits, such as:
i) Countryside Financial Institutions (e.g. rural banks,
cooperative banks, and thrift banks);
ii) Cooperatives;
iii) Telecommunication Companies (TELCOs);
iv) Accredited Remittance Centers/Companies;
v) ATMs being managed by other Rural Banks; and
vi) Other Conduits that the DA a nd GFI may agree upon
The DA Central Office (DA-CO) and/or DA-Regional Field Offices
(DA-RFO) and LGUs may extend assistance to the identified GFIs in
the implementation of various modes.

7.10. Survival and Recovery (SURE) Assistance for Marginalized, Small

Farmers and Fishers
7.10.1. Interest-free loan assistance shall be extended to eligible farmers
and fishers in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (PhP
25,000.00) per borrower.
7.10.2. Eligible beneficiaries of this program are marginalized, small farmers
and fishers affected by ECQ to be validated by the DA Regional Field
Offices and Local Government Units.
7.10.3. The loan assistance does not require any collateral or security
requirement.
7.10.4. Government financial institutions and Non-Government Financial
Institutions shall implement this program by extending loans directly
to eligible loan borrowers.
7.11. Recovery Package for Micro and Small Enterprises Engaged in
Agriculture and Fisheries Food Production, and other Supply Chain
Activities in Accordance with the Agripreneurship Development
Fund/Program of the ACPC
7.11.1. Loan assistance at concessionary rates, and capacity building shall
be provided to micro and small enterprises engaged in agriculture
and fisheries production, and other supply chain activities, to ensure
the availability of food supply, and help them recover their losses due
to the ECQ.

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 7.11.2. Eligible borrowers may avail of loan assistance amounting to Three
Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 300,000.00) up to 90% of their
projected cost, but not to exceed PhP 15.0 million.
7.11.3. Government financial institutions and Non-Government Financial
Institutions shall implement this program by extending loans directly
to eligible loan borrowers.

7.12. Expanded and Enhanced Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

7.12.1. The DSWD and DOLE shall implement an expanded and enhanced
4Ps, for a period of two months. The assistance shall be in cash or
non-cash, whichever is more practicable.
7.12.2. The DSWD and DOLE shall transfer cash, cash voucher, or goods
through the LGUs or directly to families who have no incomes or
savings to draw from, including families working in the informal
economy and those who are not currently recipients of the current
4Ps, of an amount adequate to restore capacity to purchase basic
food and other essential items during the duration of the quarantine.
7.12.3. To carry out this program, the Secretary of the DSWD and the
Secretary of DOLE may approve the temporary emergency
standards of eligibility and level of benefits.

7.13. Livelihood Seeding Program/Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay

A Two Hundred Million fund (PhP 200,000,000.00) that provides assistance
to micro-entrepreneurs affected by calamities. This assistance will be in the
form of: enterprise development training; livelihood kit amounting to at least
PhP 5,000.00 but not more than PhP8,000.00; and, business
counselling/mentoring.

8. Documentary Requirements

8.1. Unless otherwise specifically stated in this JMC, the following are the
specific documentary requirements to avail of the social amelioration
programs:

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 BENEFICIARY/IES SPECIFIC DOCUMENTARY
REQUIREMENTS

Senior Citizens Senior Citizen’s ID

Persons With Disability Persons with disability ID; or

Certificate of Separation from or
Suspension of Work

Pregnant Women/Lactating Valid ID;

Women Certification from RHU; or
Birth Certificate of Child, if available

Solo Parents Solo Parent’s ID; or

Certificate of Employment/
Separation from or Suspension of
Work

Overseas Filipinos In Distress .Valid Passport Bio Page; and

b.Copy of any of the following:
1. Passport arrival stamp;
2. Proof of departure ticket;
3. Overseas Employment
Certificate;
4. Employment Contract; or
5. Any other documents to
prove that they were
repatriated or banned from
traveling outside the
Philippines within the
prescribed period.

Underprivileged Sector And As applicable:

Homeless Families, Indigent As applicable:
Indigeneous Peoples, And Other
Vulnerable Groups Certification from Barangay
(proving that they are homeless
families or belonging to other
vulnerable groups) or from the
CSWDO/MSWDO/PSWDO where
they are currently located.

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 Certification from the NCIP or the
tribal chieftain/council of elders that
the beneficiaries are Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) and are on
subsistence economy
Workers in the Informal Sector/ As applicable :
Self-Employed
Driver’s License;
TODA ID; or
Certification of membership from
the Organization/ Association; or
Certificate of Public Convenience
(CPC); or Certification from the
Barangay/ Municipality, for TODA
only.

Employment ID; or
Kasambahay ID; or
Certificate of
Employment/Separation from or
Suspension of Work from the
employer;

Proof of business;
Any other document showing
employment/
occupation/enterprise; or
Barangay Clearance

Employers Establishment Report; and

Company Payroll

Rice Farmers RSBSA Enrollment Stub (for Cash

Assistance)
Notice of Cash Grant (for Cash
Assistance
Loan Application (for SURE Aid)
Any one (1) government-issued ID
with picture
Duly accomplished simplified
Promissory Note (PN)

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 For Service-Conduit Borrower Pre-Release:
Loan Application
List of Eligible Rice Farmers
Board Resolution for financial
assistance and designating at least
two (2) authorized signatories to
execute loan documents with
identified GFI
Standard PN
Authority to Debit Deposit Account

Post Release:
Liquidation report on the loans
disbursed prior to next loan
availment
Deed of Assignment of Sub-PNs

All barangays are hereby mandated to facilitate the issuance of the

barangay clearance, free of charge, for the applicable beneficiaries as
stated above.

9. Roles and Responsibilities of Other Involved Agencies

9.1. AFP and PNP

In reference to the pronouncement of the President and in coordination with the
DILG, the DSWD may request the AFP and the PNP to perform the following
functions:
a) To secure the area identified by the DSWD where social amelioration
activities shall take place;
b) To accompany, secure and assist the staff of concerned NGA and/or
LGU representatives in the exercise of their functions as provided for
in these guidelines;
c) To lend technical assistance to further effectuate the social
amelioration provisions of these guidelines; and
d) To provide land, air, and sea assets to transport DSWD personnel
and goods for the purpose of delivery of assistance to the
beneficiaries.

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 9.2. Local Government Units
The LGUs shall provide assistance to the IATF and actively participate in terms of
the following:
a) Provision of the list of beneficiaries which may fall under any of the
social amelioration programs enumerated above;
b) Account to the proper agency the disbursement of funds or goods to
the proper beneficiaries;
c) Document the community disinfection activities under TUPAD; and,
d) Provide logistical support in the distribution of assistance.

10. Operationalization of Food Distribution

10.1. LGU identification

The concerned NGA, in close coordination with the DILG, shall inform the
Local Chief Executives (LCEs) of the scheduled dropoff of social
amelioration programs, before 24 hours or as early as practicable, of field
operations and delivery. They shall then request their Punong Barangays
to prepare a list of beneficiaries.
10.2. Parameters for Priority in NCR and Greater Metro Manila
For the distribution of food packs in NCR and Greater Metro Manila, the
DSWD adopts a barangay saturation approach, subject to the following
priority tier:
a) Barangays under Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine
b) Rural Barangays under Enhanced Community Quarantine
c) Barangays under Enhanced Community Quarantine
d) Rural Barangays under Community Quarantine
Provided that, between tiers, the poorer barangay as identified by the Local
Chief Executive shall be given priority. Provided further that, within
Barangays the LGU shall give priority to those below the poverty threshold
level.
10.3. Logistics
10.3.1. The DSWD shall:
a) Take lead in FNI packing, warehousing and delivery to LGUs;
b) Deliver food packs until the lifting of the Community
Quarantine;
c) Upon identification of the Barangay where it shall proceed to
deliver FNI, the DSWD shall coordinate with the DILG and
inform the AFP and PNP as well as the LGU concerned;
d) Exercise general supervision as to the conduct of distribution
of the goods during the delivery; and

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 e) Air dropping of food packs, if necessary, to ensure delivery in
Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs)
and areas with high incidence of contagion.
10.3.2. Upon notification, the LGU shall:
a) Provide a suitable drop-off point for FNI;
b) Lead in the actual door-to-door distribution of FNI. Should the
personnel of the Barangay be insufficient to make door-to-
door deliveries the AFP or PNP may augment. Should the
same be inadequate to make timely deliveries, the LGU shall
issue quarantine passes to at most one able bodied member
of the family to go out of their house and get their allotted FNI;
and
c) Submit a checklist of FNI deliveries.
10.3.3. The DTI shall act as liaison in identifying private entities willing to
provide logistical augmentation in packing, warehousing and
transporting FNI.
10.3.4. DTI shall also ensure the unhampered movement of cargo and
transit of personnel of business establishments allowed to operate
during the Enhanced Community Quarantine as enumerated in the
DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-08-2020 issued on March 20,
2020.

10.4. Workforce Complement

10.4.1. The DSWD shall provide the needed workforce complement to
ensure the timely provision of FNI. The Central Office may augment
workforce to the Field and SWAD Satellite Offices upon request and
for this purpose, all DSWD personnel may be required to report to
work in the exigency of service.
10.4.2. DTI, DA, DOLE, DILG, and other concerned NGAs shall provide
secondary workforce and logistics augmentation.
10.4.3. DBM and DOF shall provide the necessary technical assistance to
ensure the immediate availability of funds
10.4.4. In accordance with Administrative Order (AO) No. 26 dated March
23, 2020, government employees and workers engaged through
contract of service or job order basis who physically report for work
during the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine
in their respective work stations shall be granted with COVID-19
Hazard Pay, in an amount not exceeding Five Hundred Pesos (PhP
500.00)/day per person. The pertinent guidelines and conditions on
the grant of the COVID-19 Hazard Pay pursuant to AO No. 26 are
provided under DBM Budget Circular No. 2020-1 dated March 24,
2020.

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11. Operationalization of Cash Distribution

11.1. The National Government, under the ESP, shall provide a top up fund so
that each eligible family gets from PhP 5,000.00 up to PhP 8,000.00 in cash
or in kind from various NGA and LGU programs, depending on the regional
minimum wage rate. The delivery of FNI shall be prioritized.
11.2. In order to comply with the national mandate, beneficiaries may receive on
top of food packs cash transfers under AICS, TUPAD, Cash Assistance to
Rice Farmers. In no instance shall there be a duplication of cash
beneficiaries.
11.3. The LGU shall identify beneficiaries pursuant to Section 10.1
11.4. The DSWD shall issue Social Amelioration Cards, pursuant to its existing
rules and regulations, to the identified beneficiaries applying the priority
parameters enumerated in Section 10.2, as applicable.
11.5. The Social Amelioration Cards shall be the basis of the cash transfers
enumerated in these Guidelines to avoid duplication of beneficiaries.
11.6. Cash transfer shall be subject to the internal guidelines, rules, regulations
and best practices of each grantor NGA.

12. Continuing Policy Recommendation

The IATF-TWG on Social Amelioration, through its component NGAs and in

close coordination with the IATF, may from time to time, recommend to the Office
of the President facilitative interventions such as:
a) Reprieve in Utility Bills
b) Reprieve in loans from GSIS, SSS and PAG-IBIG
c) Reduction of Monetary Transfer Fees
d) Waiving of Penalties by Supermarkets to Suppliers
e) Waiver of Lease Rentals
f) Benefits for frontliners

13. Transparency and Accountability

13.1. Amendments - The IATF-TWG may amend or supplement this JMC, as

may be necessary.

13.2. Ground Monitoring - Complaints regarding the execution of the social

amelioration programs may be resorted to the following:
a) Letters to the concerned Department

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 b) Social media messaging
c) 1349 Hotline for concerns regarding TUPAD and CAMP
d) 895 - 12803 for concerns regarding AICS, LAG and FNI
distribution
e) 02-8876-3454 loc. 8806/8810, 02-8925-0343, 09274226300,
09150054535, 099613849272 and 096177216681 for
concerns regarding DILG LGU monitoring
f) 8888 for miscellaneous concerns

13.3. Reporting - The DSWD, as head of the IATF-TWG on social amelioration,

shall submit a weekly report to the President on the implementation of
measures under this JMC. The IATF-TWG shall assist in making the report,
which shall include, the amount and corresponding utilization of the funds
used, augmented, reprogrammed, reallocated, and realigned pursuant to
RA 11469.

13.4. Evaluation - The IATF-TWG shall provide the necessary guidelines

regarding evaluation of the social amelioration program during the recovery
phase.

14. Resolution Clause - Interpretations of the provisions of this JMC, including cases
not covered herein, shall be referred to the IATF-TWG for joint resolution:
Provided, That, nothing in this JMC shall preclude the member agencies from
issuing supplementary guidelines to implement these programs.

15. Separability Clause - If any clause, sentence, or provision of this JMC shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
remain valid and subsisting.

16. Repealing Clause - All previous orders, issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with or contrary to this JMC are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

17. Effectivity Clause - This JMC shall take effect immediately upon publication in a
newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette and shall remain in effect
until the state of public health emergency is lifted, subject to changes as may be
instructed/issued by the Office of the President.

25
The Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the UP Law Center
shall be provided three (3) certified copies of these Rules.

26
HEREUNTO, signed and agreed upon by:

________________________________
Silvestre H. Bello III
Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment

_______________________________ ________________________________
Ramon M. Lopez William D. Dar
Secretary Secretary
Department of Trade and Industry Department of Agriculture

________________________________ ________________________________
Wendel E. Avisado Carlos G. Dominguez III
Secretary Secretary
Department of Budget Management Department of Finance

27