GOVPH

ANSWER: Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance nationwide whereby financial obligation arises therefrom. The term “Current” means at the time of the Period referred to in the MC, the original term of the project has not expired yet or if there is a previously approved request for restructuring extending the term and at the time the said Period, such extended term has not yet expired.

Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance nationwide”. Section 3. Definition of Period.

ANSWER: Yes. The MC speaks of financial assistance nationwide.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance nationwide”.

ANSWER: Proclamation No. 929 is a presidential proclamation “Declaring a State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines Due to Corona Virus Disease 2019”, issued on 16 March 2020 by the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Sections 1 and 2 thereof states as follows:
Section 1. There is hereby declared a state of calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of six (6) months, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;
Section 2. There is hereby imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine throughout Luzon beginning 12 midnight tonight until 12 April 2020, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;
Reference: Proclamation No. 929 dated 16 March 2020.

ANSWER: It depends. If the original term of the project of the beneficiary is not yet finished or there is a previously approved request for restructuring extending the term and at the time the said Period, such extended term has not yet expired, then the beneficiary can avail of the MC for the said project.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”. Section 3. Definition of Period.

ANSWER: Checks/payments for financial obligations falling due and demandable within the Period starting from the 16 March 2020 (effectivity of Proclamation No. 929) and ending in Ninety (90) calendar days from the effectivity of the lifting of Section 2 of the said Proclamation.
Reference: Section 3. “Payment of ALL financial obligations falling due and demandable within the above-mentioned Period x x x”.

ANSWER: For example, the project of the beneficiary Mr. X, in the amount of Php1.2M, requires him to refund the financial obligation in twelve (12) months starting 30 January 2020 onwards at Php120,000.00 per month. His January and February checks are paid already. The Proclamation No. 929 was issued on 16 March 2020 and Section 2 thereof (Enhanced Community Quarantine throughout Luzon) was actually lifted on 12 April 2020.

How will the MC apply to him?
Answer: The Period referred to in the MC shall be from 16 March 2020 to 11 July 2020 (90 calendar days after 12 April 2020). His payment for March 30 to June 30 shall be suspended. His next payment will be on 12 July 2020 (the day immediately after the end of the said Period) in the amount of Php120,000.00. Then he will pay Php120,000.00 again on 30 July 2020 (as his monthly due is every 30th of each month). Then his next payment is on 30 August 2020 in the amount of Php120,000.00 and so on. His las payment will be on 30 March 2021. If Section 2 of the Proclamation is lifted earlier or later, the dates shall move accordingly.
Reference: Section 2, 3, 4 and 5 of MC No. 2020-001 s. 2020.

ANSWER: No. The MC covers only “current beneficiaries”. The fact that the project is already terminated makes the same no longer current.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”

ANSWER: No. The MC covers only “current beneficiaries”. The fact that the project is already under court proceedings means the project is already terminated and thus, no longer current.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”.

ANSWER: Yes. The MC does not prohibit multiple application of the privilege so long as all the financial obligation is covered by the MC.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance nationwide”. Section 4. “Payment of ALL financial obligations”.

ANSWER: Yes. The MC is independent from the beneficiaries’ financial obligation under programs of other Agencies and Offices of DOST. MC does not cover financial obligation under programs of other Agencies and Offices of DOST.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”. Section 4. “Payment of ALL financial obligations”.

ANSWER: Yes. Suspension and rescheduling entails movement in the periodic payments which will necessarily extend the original term.
Reference: Section 4. “x x x and accordingly extending the original term”.

ANSWER: No. The MC does NOT provide any limit in the amount of financial assistance or obligation for the privilege to apply so long as all the financial obligation is covered by the MC.
Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”. Section 4. “Payment of ALL financial obligations”.

ANSWER: No. The MC covers only checks/payments for financial obligations falling due and demandable within the Period starting from the effectivity of Proclamation No. 929 and ending in Ninety (90) calendar days from the effectivity of the lifting of Section 2 of the said Proclamation.
Reference: Section 3. “Payment of ALL financial obligations falling due and demandable within the above-mentioned Period x x x”.

ANSWER: No. The application of the MC to all financial obligations is automatic. Hence, there is no need for any kind of request in order to avail of the privilege given in the MC.
Reference: Section 4. “x x x shall automatically be suspended and rescheduled x x x”.

ANSWER: No. The MC does not require documentary requirements other than replacing the checks that become unusable within 90 calendar days after the lifting of Section 2 of the Proclamation.
Reference: Section 5. “In case the checks issued by a beneficiary becomes unusable due to the suspension of payments above or for any other reason, new Post-dated Checks (PDCs) shall be issued by the beneficiary within Ninety (90) calendar days from the lifting of the above-mentioned Proclamation in order to ensure payment of the remaining balance in accordance to immediately preceding paragraph;”

ANSWER: Yes. All the checks that becomes unusable such as when they become stale, shall be timely replaced by the beneficiary in order to ensure payment of the remaining balance in according to the suspension and rescheduling of the periodic payments.
Reference: Section 5. “In case the checks issued by a beneficiary becomes unusable due to the suspension of payments above or for any other reason, new Post-dated Checks (PDCs) shall be issued by the beneficiary within Ninety (90) calendar days from the lifting of the above-mentioned Proclamation in order to ensure payment of the remaining balance in accordance to immediately preceding paragraph;”

ANSWER: The MC was specific as to the period of suspension. Should the beneficiary still not able to settle his obligation after the said period, meaning, the checks they issued were returned unfunded, penalties will be charged to them reckoned from their new due dates. However, they can request for deferment/restructuring, subject to the applicable rules and the discretion of TAPI.

Reference: Section 2. “Current beneficiaries of all TAPI program of assistance”. Section 3. Definition of Period.

ANSWER: Yes. You should timely write to TAPI specifically requesting for or manifesting the non-application of the MC to your account so that TAPI can deposit your PDCs as originally scheduled. The beneficiary can also request for a shorter period of suspension period. Thus, the default is to automatically suspend and reschedule payments. Exception is when the beneficiary expressly requested otherwise (in writing). Request/manifestation should be made at least Five (5) calendar days prior to the due date of the checks that will follow the original schedule. Request/Manifestation through email sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. using the beneficiary’s official email address appearing in the records of TAPI is acceptable.
Reference: Section 4. “x x x Provided that, the beneficiary shall have the option of NOT availing the privilege under this MC or adopting a shorter period of suspension of payment by submitting a written request/manifestation to TAPI”.

ANSWER: No, provided that they can be used for the next payments. For example, you originally issued PDCs dated, among others, 30 June 2020 and July 30 2020. Due to the suspension and rescheduling of the periodic payments, your next payments fall on 12 July 2020, 30 July 2020, and so on. Since, your June 30 check is still valid on 12 July 2020, you can still use the said check as your July 12 payment. Your July 30 check will serve as your payment for 30 July 2020. However, you need to issue new PDCs to ensure that all the remaining periodic payments will be paid.
Reference: Section 5. “In case the checks issued by a beneficiary becomes unusable due to the suspension of payments above or for any other reason, new Post-dated Checks (PDCs) shall be issued by the beneficiary within Ninety (90) calendar days from the lifting of the above-mentioned Proclamation in order to ensure payment of the remaining balance in accordance to immediately preceding paragraph; x x x”

ANSWER: Yes. First, all the checks that can still be deposited will be presented to the bank for payment the day immediately after the Period mentioned in the MC. Second, all the unpaid periods will be charged penalties from the time they originally become due and demandable until fully paid. 
Reference: Section 5. “x x x Provided that, non-compliance to this requirement shall result to disqualification of the beneficiary to avail of the privilege offered by this MC.”