Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT PROVIDING PHP 10,000 CASH ASSISTANCE TO ALL FILIPINO
FAMILIES TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE CURRENT
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE INCREASING PRICES OF GOODS
AND SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
No matter the age, occupation, or social class— we are all struggling. Despite the
current difficulties in the country from the pandemic to skyrocketing prices, the
Philippines has only given cash assistance once through R.A. No. 11469 (Bayanihan to
Heal as One Act)— one of the smallest stimulus packages compared to other ASEAN
countries like Singapore and the U.S., which have already released four and three
tranches respectively. It is time we do something similar that would benefit those who are
in need to survive the economy.
The 10K Ayuda Bill offers economic support for all Filipino families— farmers,
fisherfolks, vendors, tricycle drivers, etc. If passed, resources will be spread across
barangays in the country, down to sari-sari stores, public markets, carinderias, and other
establishments and services that have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and
high fuel prices. We have seen successes when we initiated the roll out of our own
program of implementation of this bill as proof that our kababayans just need a little push
to get back on their feet.
This bill should not be passed alone, but along with more innovative measures that
would help MSMEs (Small & Medium Enterprises). This proposed legislation will also
complement existing government initiatives such as capital access (loans), Shared
Service Facilities, market access platforms, mentorship, training, not just for targeted
sectors but for all barangays in the country. In fact, according to the Philippine Statistics
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Authority, the country’s inflation rate spiked to 8.7 percent in January 2023— nearly
triple the 3 percent posted in January 2022.1
Although Filipinos are known for their resilience and strength of character,
assistance from our government is still necessary so they can survive and make it through
these uncertain times without any problems or additional anxieties caused by financial
worries or unemployment. The 10K cash aid is not unique as this has been done before,
again through the Bayanihan law where financial aid was given in two tranches.
However, our goal with passing this bill is simplifying & streamlining financial
assistance efforts for our kababayans there who really need it right now.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is sought to help
kababayans who are hardworking but hard hit by the high prices and the pandemic, have
a chance at a better life in the country.
Hon. Ricardo “Ading” S. Cruz, Jr.
Representative
1st District, Taguig-Pateros
1https://www.rappler.com/business/inflation-rate-philippines-january-2023/https://www.rappler.com/business/inflatio
n-rate-philippines-january-2023/
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
AN ACT PROVIDING PHP 10,000 CASH ASSISTANCE TO ALL FILIPINO
FAMILIES TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE CURRENT
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE INCREASING PRICES OF GOODS
AND SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Sampung Libong
Pag-asa Law”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to free
the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country, stunt its economy, and
disrupt jobs and livelihoods – especially for the most vulnerable. Extraordinary times
require extraordinary measures to uplift both the economy and the lives of the Filipino
people. In line with this, the State shall endeavor to help all Filipinos and the economy
get the much needed financial boost in the wake of inflation, increased prices of basic
commodities, and other causes of financial strains and hardships brought about by the
pandemic, most especially during the interim that a viable vaccine program is being
rolled out by the Government to protect all Filipinos against COVID-19.
Towards this end, it is hereby the policy of the State to prevent more families from
going into hunger by providing an immediate financial boost through an additional
assistance program.
SECTION 3. Sampung Libong Pag-asa Assistance Program. – Over and above
and separate and distinct from any financial assistance or social amelioration measure of
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 10k Ayuda Assistance
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Program is hereby created under the DSWD that will hereby provide cash assistance
through the most expeditious, transparent, and simple process to all Filipino families and
individuals affected by the pandemic.
SECTION 4. Amount of Cash Assistance and beneficiaries. – Each Filipino
family needing assistance shall receive a one-time cash assistance of Ten Thousand Pesos
(Php 10,000), or One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php 1,500) per family member,
whichever sum is higher.
SECTION 5. Priority List of Beneficiaries. – The following shall, as a matter of
right, be the beneficiaries under this Act:
a)
Poorest of the poor;
b)
Senior Citizens;
c)
Persons with Disabilities;
d)
Solo parents;
e)
Displaced, retrenched or separated workers, or otherwise severely affected or
have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include, but are
not limited to, the following:
1. Freelancers such as entertainers, tour guides, workers in the events
industry, therapists, etc.;
2. Drivers of public transportation such as pedicab, tricycle, PUJs, PUVs,
taxi, bus, etc.;
3. Owners and workers in microenterprises such as sari-sari stores, market
stalls, food carts, etc.;
4. Farmers;
5. Homeworkers including family drivers and househelpers; and
6. Sub-minimum wage earners.
f)
Medical frontliners including Barangay Health Workers;
g)
Families of Overseas Filipino Workers;
h)
Those who were not able to receive assistance through any of the Social
Amelioration Programs of the national government;
i)
Filipino Citizens holding a Philippine National ID; and
j)
Other members of the vulnerable sectors.
The DSWD shall determine which other families that require assistance will be
beneficiaries of the cash assistance program established under this Act.
SECTION 6. Enrollment to the Philippine Identification System. – Pursuant to
the policy set out in Republic Act (RA) No. 11055 or the Philippine Identification System
Act which aims to promote seamless delivery of service and to improve the efficiency,
transparency, and targeted delivery of public and social services, all Filipinos who seek to
benefit from the BPP Cash Assistance Program are enjoined and highly encouraged to
enroll in the Philippine Identification System (PIS). Enrollment in the system would
merit prioritization of the enrollee in the list of beneficiaries of this Act as stated in Sec.
6.
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SECTION 7. Sampung Libong Pag-asa Assistance 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 Sampung Libong Pag-asa Program, answer inquiries and receive
complaints and grievances from the public, and help disseminate information. A separate
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 carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in and sourced from the annual General
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any portion or provision
of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, proclamations,
rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SECTION 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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