02/06/2020
DSWD’s Relief Agad registers 2M beneficiaries, targets 11.5M more
Since the launch of ReliefAgad app in a virtual presser last May 14, the platform has accumulated over 2 million registrations from all 17 regions nationwide. Despite conducting pilot runs in NCR, regions nationwide facilitated encoding of SAC forms through ReliefAgad app. Region IV-A – CALABARZON with 1,094,332 registrations recorded the highest, followed by NCR with 789,719 and Region III – Central Luzon with 103,413.
Despite reaching 2M registrations, the challenge lies in reaching the rest of the second tranche beneficiaries coming from 11 identified areas: NCR, Region 3 (except Aurora Province), Region IV-A, Benguet Province, Pangasinan, Iloilo Province, Cebu Province, Bacolod City, Davao City, Albay Province, and Zamboanga City and as well as the left out families nationwide.
In the virtual presser of DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista last May 28, he stated that “DSWD will lead the distribution of aid during the second tranche. We are coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for additional workforce for the second tranche. At the same time, we are also closely working with banks and service providers to achieve our objective in expediting distribution of aid with the use of digital payments.”
To further breakdown the composition of the 13.5M beneficiaries, they are targeted to come from: (1) 8.5 million out of the 18 million families who received the first tranche from the identified 11 areas stated above, and (2) the 5 million families who are waitlisted or leftout.
The 3.5 million of the 5 million waitlisted or leftout from the identified 11 areas will receive subsidy equivalent to two months (P5,000 – 8,000 x 2 months).
DSWD’s partners such as Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON) who developed ReliefAgad and the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID), are continuously providing technical support to drive more beneficiaries to register through ReliefAgad.
“We are happy to assist the DSWD in this momentous task. Through ReliefAgad, beneficiaries don’t have to leave their homes to register and to receive their aid. Frontliners also don’t need to go house to house,” Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON) Founder and Talino Venture Labs Chief Executive Officer Winston Damarillo shared.
Here are five (5) important tips and reminders on how SAP beneficiaries can register through ReliefAgad app as national government agencies continue preparations in implementing the second tranche payouts.
1. Use ReliefAgad to skip long lines and risk community transmission during payouts.
ReliefAgad enables SAP beneficiaries to encode their SAC form information digitally, safely at home using your mobile phones or laptops. It is an alternative to handing out physical cash. It allows you to receive aid through online or mobile transfer to your chosen PESONet-participating banks or partner e-wallets.
Each SAP beneficiary is assigned a unique barcode. Beneficiaries have to scan this unique barcode on the lower right-hand corner of the SAC forms, with vital security features in place to avoid duplicates or photocopied SAC forms from being scanned.
Although the DSWD conducted pilot runs of ReliefAgad in NCR, regions nationwide have also facilitated data collection and encoding through ReliefAgad.
2. Follow these simple steps in encoding SAC information using ReliefAgad:
If you have your own smartphone and internet access:
Step 1: Go to www.reliefagad.ph using a smartphone.
Step 2: Scan the barcode at the lower right-hand corner of the SAC form.
Note: If you are unable to scan the barcode, manually encode the serial number on the barcode.
Step 3: Encode your personal information on the app.
Step 4: Enter the information on the members of your family.
Step 5: Select your preferred payment method where you will be able to directly receive the cash assistance.
TIP: ReliefAgad has a cash option as well. However, if you are able to use your GCash, PayMaya, 58 PESONet-participating bank account/s, you can receive the cash assistance directly through your account upon validation of DSWD.
Step 6: Enter the One-Time-PIN (OTP) which you will receive through SMS.
Step 7: Press Submit.
After completing the steps, you will need to wait for DSWD’s confirmation and announcement as they conduct validations to the submitted registrations.
Alternatively, if you do not have a smartphone, you may use your child’s or any of your family member’s smartphone to register through ReliefAgad.
3. Secure your personal information to prevent online hacks or scams.
During the first week of the ReliefAgad app launch, many people excitedly shared screenshots of their successful registrations online in comment sections of DSWD page posts. SAP beneficiaries are reminded to keep personal information private to avoid getting hacked or scammed online.
More importantly, regularly fact check the information you receive by referring only to official government or media channels, websites and social media pages. There are people who will take advantage of this crisis and it is important to be on full alert at all times.
There are security measures in place on the platform to ensure that the information goes straight to DSWD’s servers. You will be able to receive announcements and reminders from DSWD using the mobile numbers used to register in the ReliefAgad.
4. Open online e-wallets or bank accounts if you haven’t or use your inactive accounts to receive cash assistance.
SAP beneficiaries are encouraged to shift to using digital payments to prevent community transmissions or risking exposure to COVID-19 through person-to-person transactions as the country eases restrictions and adjusts to the new normal.
We urge other SAP beneficiaries to start opening accounts online or start using your inactive accounts as this is the long-term solution doing transactions such as sending money to your loved ones, paying your bills, doing online purchases, and registering using the ReliefAgad to receive cash assistance from the government.
Follow the simple guides and prepare the minimal identification requirements of the banks or electronic payment providers to open an account easily, safely and conveniently while staying safe at home. In case of an existing but inactive account, you may check if the account is still accessible. If the account is still working or has not been closed by your bank or service provider, you may enroll your account.
5. Hotline numbers you can contact for assistance.
If you need more information or if ever you are encountering errors or issues which will require technical assistance in using ReliefAgad, feel free to contact the landline or mobile hotlines:
Landline: (02) 8424 2828
Globe: 0977 656 1191 or 0977 656 1192
Smart: 0961 750 7287 or 0961 750 7288
Sun: 0932 092 9442 or 0931 092 9443
You may also visit www.dswd.gov.ph to see the full version of Memorandum Circular 9, Series of 2020 on the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of the Emergency Subsidy Program of the DSWD or the DSWD Facebook for up-to-date announcements and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on SAP and ReliefAgad. # # #
Follow the DSWD Relief Agad page here. Video instructions for using can be found here.
Developers Connect Philippines (DEVCON) is a non-profit organization which aims to promote the Filipino IT talent by providing a unique venue for IT students, educators, professionals, and enthusiasts to sync, support, and succeed. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DEVCON convened DEVCON Community of Technology Partners (DCTX), a community of over 1,000 Filipino software developer-volunteers around the world, to come up with technology solutions. They developed the RapidPass system which provided authorized individuals to pass through checkpoints using a QR code. The same organizations developed ReliefAgad.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / E-PESO Project. USAID/E-PESO is a project funded by the USAID that aims to assist the Philippine government transition the economy from cash/checks to electronic payments for broader-based economic growth and financial inclusion. USAID/E-PESO is currently providing technical assistance to DSWD to integrate financial inclusion in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by transitioning its cash cards to transaction accounts and developing a comprehensive financial literacy program. USAID/ E-PESO develops digital instructional and training materials for the rollout and provides electronic payments expertise, quality assurance, technical and system support to operate ReliefAgad
Full press release can also be found on the link below:
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswds-relief-agad-registers-2m-beneficiaries-targets-11-5m-more/
Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo!
