The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing Php 10,000 cash assistance and family food packs to vendors whose businesses were affected by temporary closures for the 2026 ASEAN Summit.
In its November 12 announcement, the DSWD said it was working to complete assistance payouts in Pasay City and Parañaque City by Friday, November 13.
The support is meant to help vendors meet daily expenses while their businesses cannot operate due to security preparations for the summit.
What Assistance Will Vendors Receive?
Affected vendors identified for the distribution are set to receive:
- Php 10,000 in cash assistance
- Family food packs containing basic food supplies
The cash assistance is being provided through the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The department considers the temporary loss of livelihood a crisis because affected workers may be unable to earn their usual daily income.
Some Vendors Have Already Received Assistance
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian discussed the distribution during a payout at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School in Pasay City on November 11.
The agency reported an earlier payout to 30 affected establishments on November 8.
Another group of around 50 beneficiaries was scheduled to receive assistance during the November 11 activity.
These distributions form part of the government’s support for small businesses affected by the summit preparations.
However, the November 12 announcement did not confirm that all identified beneficiaries had already received their payments.
Who Is Covered by the Assistance?
The assistance specifically targets vendors and food stall owners in Pasay and Parañaque whose businesses were temporarily closed because of ASEAN Summit security arrangements.
DSWD said local government units were helping prepare and validate beneficiary lists.
For Baclaran vendors, assistance would proceed once the relevant local governments submitted their finalized lists.
The announcement did not introduce a nationwide Php 10,000 cash assistance application.
Residents seeking help for other crisis situations can read our DSWD AICS emergency cash assistance guide for background on the program.
What Should Affected Vendors Do?
Vendors who believe their businesses were included in the temporary closures should coordinate with their city social welfare office or local government for verified information.
They should ask whether their names are on the validated beneficiary list and check for official payout instructions.
Avoid paying anyone who promises to add names to a government assistance list.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information. The assistance is a targeted distribution for identified affected vendors, not a nationwide cash aid program. Eligibility, beneficiary validation, and payout schedules should be confirmed with DSWD or the relevant local government.