Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR A SOCIAL SAFETY NET CASH ASSISTANCE AND 
INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO AID IN MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF THE 
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, ENCOURAGE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE TO GET 
VACCINATED, AND COMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL COVID-19 
VACCINATION PROGRAM 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted the daily 
lives of Filipino families ever since it first arrived in the country last January 
2020. Apart from the continuous risks on public health, the unfortunate 
situation also heavily affected the economy with a lot of business 
establishments closing down, thousands of Filipinos losing their jobs, and 
families struggling to make ends meet. 
Social safety nets are stop gap measures or urgent mechanisms 
designed to address the effects of economic shocks, disasters and 
calamities, on vulnerable sectors in order to provide relief and transition 
away from poverty. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic in the 
Philippines, thousands more can be trapped into poverty if social safety 
nets are not established urgently. 
The initial round of assistance that were distributed by the government 
through its Social Amelioration Program (SAP) was meant to aid the 
vulnerable sectors adjust on the difficulties set forth by the unfortunate 
situation. However, after a year of facing this pandemic, a stronger social 
safety net must be put in place to support multiple marginalized sectors, 
protect them from poverty, and encourage them to take part in the National 
COVID-19 Vaccination Program. 
January 3, 2022
5:31 pm
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This bill seeks to establish the Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash Assistance 
and Incentive Program to provide for a stronger social safety net for 
Filipino families and aid them in mitigating the effects of the 
coronavirus pandemic while also encouraging them to get inoculated 
and contribute to the immediate and effective control of the pandemic. 
This legislation shall be in line with the principles of the stimulus 
packages of the national government, i.e. the Bayanihan to Heal Act as 
One and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. Additionally, the Ayuda 
sa Bakuna Cash Assistance and Incentive Program shall complement 
the National COVID-19 Vaccination Program by encouraging Filipino 
families to get vaccinated. This bill shall reflect the resilience of the 
Filipino family with the perspective of promoting both the economy and 
public health. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
ALFRED VARGAS 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY  
REP. ALFRED VARGAS 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR A SOCIAL SAFETY NET CASH ASSISTANCE AND 
INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO AID IN MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF THE 
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, ENCOURAGE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE TO GET 
VACCINATED, AND COMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL COVID-19 
VACCINATION PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Ayuda sa 
Bakuna Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State 
to promote social justice and public health pursuant thereto, provide all its 
citizens adequate social services and incentive to fight poverty and improve 
the quality of life for all. 
Unfortunate circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic which 
continues to affect the daily lives of Filipinos shall be met with stronger 
social safety nets and public health encouragement to address and 
mitigate the economic challenges faced by Filipino families. 
Social safety nets are stop gap measures or urgent mechanisms 
designed to address the effects of economic shocks, disasters and 
calamities, on vulnerable sectors in order to provide relief and transition 
away from poverty. Towards this end, the State shall provide a social safety 
net program in the form of adequate funding of an additional cash assistance 
and incentive program that will complement the National COVID-19 
Vaccination Program. 
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SECTION 3.  Definition of Terms. –  
a) Family – a group of persons usually living together and composed of the 
head and other persons related to the head by blood, marriage, or 
adoption. It includes both the nuclear and extended family. 
b) Nuclear Family – composed of a father and mother with unmarried 
children or parent with children 
c) Extended Family – refers to the household composed of a nuclear family 
as defined above together with relatives like son-in-law, daughter-in-
law, grandson, granddaughter, father, mother, and other relatives. 
SECTION 4. Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash Assistance and Incentive Program. 
– Over and above and separate and distinct from any existing financial 
assistance or social amelioration measure of the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash Assistance 
and Incentive Program is hereby created under the DSWD that will hereby 
provide cash assistance and incentive through the most expeditious, 
transparent, and simple process to all Filipino families and individuals 
affected by the pandemic, as enumerated in Section 6 herein. 
SECTION 5. Amount of Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash Assistance and 
Incentive. – Each Filipino family shall receive a one-time cash assistance 
of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (Php 15,000.00); Provided, that all of their living 
and qualified family members are fully-vaccinated under the COVID-19 
National Vaccination Program. 
SECTION 6. Priority List of Beneficiaries. – The following shall be 
given priority in the distribution of the Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash 
Assistance and Incentive: 
a) Poorest of the poor; 
b) Senior Citizens; 
c) Persons with Disabilities 
d) Persons with comorbidities; 
e) Other members of the vulnerable sector; 
f) Rest of the Filipino population who have complied with the 
requirements set forth in Section 5. 
SECTION 7.  Ayuda sa Bakuna Cash Assistance and Incentive Program 
Hotline, Website, and Mobile Application. – The DSWD shall establish, 
maintain, and operate a telephone hotline, website, and a mobile application 
in order to effectively and efficiently facilitate the roll-out of the Ayuda sa 
Bakuna Cash Assistance and Incentive Program, answer inquiries, and 
receive complaints and grievances from the public, and help disseminate 
information. A separate priority hotline shall also be dedicated for those with 


special needs such as but not limited to: Senior Citizens, Persons with 
Disabilities, and the like. 
SECTION 8.  Sources of Funding. – The amount necessary to effectively 
carry out the provisions of this Act shall be sourced from the unprogrammed 
funds and savings from the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation 
shall be included in the annual GAA. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development shall, in coordination with the Local 
Government and other stakeholders, issue the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.  
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, parts or provisions of this Act 
which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 11. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential 
decrees, Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,