By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) asked on Thursday, June 11 the local government units (LGUs) to continuously assist the agency in the second phase implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista sought the local officials' assistance, as the agency is eyeing to distribute the second tranche of cash subsidies this week.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (MANILA BULLETIN)
"Sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan, manghihingi ulit kami ng inyong tulong sa pamamahagi sa pag assist sa DSWD at saka sa AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) , PNP (Philippine Natinal Police) para dito sa pagdistribute natin ng second tranche ng Social Amelioration Program," he said during the "Laging Handa" network briefing on Thursday.
(To our local governments, we are asking again your help for the distribution, to assist the DSWD and the AFP, PNP for the distribution of the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program.)
In a virtual press briefing on May 28, Bautista said the LGUs will still be involved in the second phase implementation of SAP and are expected to provide logistical and health assistance, including provision of ambulance and paramedics during the payout.
Last month, President Duterte directed the DSWD to lead the SAP distribution following the snowballing complaints against the purported irregularities in the release of emergency subsidies.
The DSWD said it has been coordinating with the AFP and PNP, and service providers for the digital payment to fast track the distribution of the second wave of subsidies.
In an earlier statement, the agency said it will seek the assistance of the AFP, particularly female soldiers in the distribution of the cash subsidy in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and conflict-affected areas.
Bautista counted on the LGUs to immediately submit their liquidation reports, including the encoded list of beneficiaries, citing that the first tranche payout has been completed.
"Ngayon tapos na payout for the first tranche at nagsusumite ng liquidation report ang ating mga lokal pamahalaan para ito ang maging basehan ng second tranche," he said.
(Now, the payout for the first tranche has been completed and the local government has been submitting their liquidation report, which will serve as basis for the second tranche.)
He noted that over 17.65 million low-income families have received their cash aid worth about P99.8 billion.
Bautista said 1,103 LGUs already submitted their complete liquidation reports, while 238 LGUs are set to complete their financial documentary requirements.
In a radio interview, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao disclosed that the agency has posted on its website the partial list of "waitlisted" beneficiaries, even as they urged the LGUs to publicly post their master list for verification of their respective constituents.
"Mayroon na pong napaskil na partial list ng mga waitlisted, ito po ay base sa natanggap natin from different local government units," she said.
(The partial list of the waitlisted has been posted, this is based on the list we have received from different local government units.)
Under the DSWD guidelines, the master list of beneficiaries to be submitted by the LGUs to the Field Offices must be certified and signed by the City/Municipal/ Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer and their local chief executive. The list must include the names of the beneficiaries and their SAC identification numbers, it said.
The DSWD said the certification must state that the names on the submitted master list are reviewed and qualified or eligible based on existing guidelines.
Dumlao said all the 5 million "waitlisted" beneficiaries nationwide as approved by President Duterte for inclusion in the program will receive the first tranche of cash subsidies.
But, only the 3.5 million of the 5 million "waitlisted" beneficiaries will be included in the second tranche, she said.
"Essentially, 3.5 million families will receive first tranche and second tranche," Dumlao said.
The areas that are set to receive the second tranche were identified based on the Executive Order No. 112, Series of 2020 dated May 1, and the memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on May 2.
Covered by the second phase of SAP are Region III except Aurora Province; National Capital Region (NCR); CALABARZON; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo; Cebu Province; Bacolod City; Davao City, Albay Province and Zamboanga City.
Bautista said the DSWD through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS ) also extended assistance to 168, 333 individuals, including seafarers and stranded individuals, amounting to P745 million.
He said P6.04 billion worth of social pension has been distributed to over 2.01 million indigent senior citizens.