By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public on Thursday, June 25, that the distribution of the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) emergency cash subsidies will continue even after the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act lapsed.
Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said the second phase implementation will not be affected even if Republic Act No. 11469 is only effective until today, June 25.
"Gusto ko na sabihin na magpapatuloy pa rin ang pamamahagi ng ayuda. Para sa Departamento, prayoridad namin ang magbigay ng agarang tulong sa ating mga kababayan na kasalukuyang naghihirap sa panahon ng crisis na ito (I would like to say that the distribution of cash aid will continue. For the Department, our priority is to grant immediate assistance to our countrymen who are currently suffering during this time of crisis),” he said in a virtual press briefing.
He said the local government units (LGUs) already completed the distribution of the first wave of cash subsidies.
“Tapos na ang implementasyon ng first tranche. Nakamit na ang tinatawag na indicative number of target beneficiaries ng Social Amelioration Program (The implementation of the first tranche was already completed. The indicative number of target beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program has been covered),” Pamonag said.
He noted that more than P99.8 billion worth of cash subsidies have been distributed to over 17.7 million beneficiaries.
Pamonag said the payout for the “waitlisted” beneficiaries is now ongoing in Doña Remedios, Bulacan, While the DSWD also has distributed subsidies in Kapangan, Benguet; Baguio City, Balaoan, La Union; and Mabalacat, Pampanga, he said.
“Sisikapin namin na magtuloy tuloy na pamamahagi para sa second tranche at para sa waitlisted beneficiaries (We will do our best to continue distributing the second tranche and the payout for waitlisted beneficiaries),” he said.
The 11 areas covered by SAP 2 are Region III, except Aurora province, the National Capital Region (NCR); Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo; Cebu Province; Bacolod City; Davao City, Albay Province and Zamboanga City.
Around 266 waitlisted families from Kapangan, Benguet and 290 families from Baguio City received P5,500 each during June 16 pilot payout activities, the DSWD earlier disclosed.
The 4Ps were the first ones who received the second tranche of cash subsidies this month.
More than P6.746 billion worth of second tranche of cash subsidies have been distributed to 1,336, 635 4Ps beneficiaries who are cash card holders.
Pamonag said the DSWD, through its Field Office National Capital Region (FO-NCR), also extended assistance to locally stranded individuals (LSI) in Manila.
He said over P2 million worth of financial assistance has been provided to over 1,000 LSIs.
He said 600 sleeping kits and sanitary kits have been distributed to LSIs in NAIA Terminal 2. While, family food packs (FFPs) have been given to LSIs who are temporarily staying in the Wellness Center, AFP Gymnasium, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; Baclaran Church, and Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig.