CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–For a smooth implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and possible conduct of the second tranche of emergency subsidy, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rolando Bautista urges local government units (LGUs) to immediately submit their SAP distribution liquidation reports.
In the country, 919 out of 1,634 LGUs have already submitted the SAP liquidation report and currently, DSWD has disbursed P99.7 billion to 17.6 million beneficiaries, Bautista shared during the Network Briefing with Communications Sec. Martin Andanar, June 3.
DSWD-10 is already at 99.53 percent completion of the families served for SAP distribution or 625,291 from the 628,243 target families. About 0.49 percent is left unpaid or P18,584,050 to be disbursed. Also, about 79 LGUs in the region have submitted the SAP liquidation report.
Latest distribution was May 21 with 162 families from 1 LGU at P972,000 disbursement.
As for the clamor on regular assistance from the government, Bautista said, “Maraming mga legislators ang naghihingi sa amin ng inputs relative sa parang ayuda, social amelioration din purposely para ito talaga sa low income and poorest of the poor. Kasi nung nangyari itong sa COVID-19, doon lumabas kung gaano ang lebel ng mga mahihirap at nakita naman talaga nila na talagang maaaring hindi sila mabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapagtrabaho o makakuha ng source of income. Kaya nanghingi sila ng inputs sa amin at pag-aaralan ito.”
(There are legislators who are asking inputs from us relative to a relief or social amelioration which is purposely intended for the low income and poorest of the poor. This, when the COVID-19 happened, the level of poverty has been determined and it was clear that the sector may not be given opportunity to work or obtain a source of income. Thus, they [legislators] are asking inputs from us and such will be studied)
Bautista added that such is a good development for the country to make a law that will focus on the welfare of low income families as well as the poorest of the poor.
In the region, people are still asking if the second tranche for SAP will still be implemented by DSWD-10. The department said that after the LGUs have liquidated the SAP distribution, there will be a post validation to be conducted to ensure that the list is updated and beneficiaries are eligible.
Currently, DSWD will prioritize the areas under ECQ. Since the region is under MGCQ, the regional office still waits for the final guidelines from the IATF.
“Hinihiling ko pa rin sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan na bilisan ‘yung pagsumite ng liquidation report dahil alam naman natin na malaking bagay ito sa pagba-validate natin para sa pagbibigay ng second tranche,” Bautista said. (RTP/PIA10)