By Tara Yap
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released more than P5.9 billion in Western Visayas region as part of the national government’s cash aid for those severely affected by the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Department of Social Welfare and Development
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The total amount of P5.9 billion has been released to 103 local government units (LGUs) in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces, as well as the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod, as part of the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
DSWD Assistant Secretary Rhea Peñaflor said LGUs have started to distribute the SAP Wednesday, April 15, to identified family beneficiaries.
Each qualified low-income family in Western Visayas was entitled to P6,000 cash aid.
Peñaflor, who hails from Iloilo, had to come after DSWD’s Western Visayas office was bombarded with complaints from mayors after the number of family beneficiaries was reduced in their areas.
There was an initial error in the DSWD memo sent to LGUs with the target beneficiaries that originally included families who were already under DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which is the conditional cash transfer program.
Peñaflor explained that 4Ps beneficiaries were receiving their aid straight in their cash cards, and do not have to get it from the LGUs, which means DSWD was not downloading it to the LGUs.
“The DSWD Field Office VI would like to apologize for the miscommunication made,” said DSWD Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre in a letter to the mayors.
Meanwhile, DSWD is urging other LGUs in Western Visayas that have not yet submitted requirements for the SAP to comply so that funding can be downloaded.