There shall be a one-time provision of decoupled payments amounting to Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000) to eligible rice farmer beneficiaries through identified Government Financial Institutions (GFIs). This is provided in Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, providing for a number of social amelioration programs (see List of Social Amelioration Programs) in order to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act No. 11469) and its Implementing Directives. The pertinent provisions of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 are as follows:
It shall cater smallholder rice farmers whose farm sizes range from one (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.
For distribution of cash assistance under Department of Agriculture (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.
[See also: Social Amelioration Programs for the Community Quarantine by Reason of COVID-19; Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) during the Community Quarantine); Target Beneficiaries of the Government Social Amelioration Program for COVID-19; Documentary Requirements to Avail of Government Social Amelioration Programs for COVID-19]
- Extension of Filing Periods and Suspension of Hearings for March 29 to April 4, 2021: SC Administrative Circular No. 14-2021 (Full Text) - March 28, 2021
- ECQ Bubble for NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal: Resolution No. 106-A (Full Text) - March 27, 2021
- Guidelines on the Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplaces (Labor Advisory No. 3) - March 12, 2021