By Charissa Luci-Atienza The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Thursday, May 21 the five million “left-out” beneficiaries who were not included in the master list for the April emergency subsidies but are eligible, will be prioritized in the second phase implementation of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista made the assurance, even as he appealed to 384 local government units (LGUs) to expedite the distribution of the cash subsidy so as not to delay the second phase implementation of SAP. "Kung makakatanggap sila, malaking porsyento na makakatanggap sila dahil binanggit naman ito ng ating mahal na Presidente na yung hindi nakatanggap na eligible nung first tranche ay iprioridad sa second tranche," he said at the "Laging Handa" network briefing on Thursday. (Whether they will receive, there is a big chance that they will receive the aid because this was mentioned by our beloved President that those who did not receive the first tranche, but are eligible will be given priority in the second tranche.) He said they are still waiting for the Office of the President's written directive, which will serve as the basis for crafting the implementing guidelines for the second tranche. The DSWD Chief said the OP's order will guide them whether beneficiaries in areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) are to benefit from the second tranche. On the possible inclusion of middle class in the SAP, he explained that under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, the SAP subsidy is given to low-income families. "Kung titingnan ang RA 11469, nakasaad dun po ang focus ng SAP ay sa mga low income, so ito pong middle class, alam ko may programa ang Department of Finance para mabigyan sila ng amelioration in fact thru the SSS. Alam ko nagdownload ng first tranche ang DOF, ang alam ko din ay magda-download sila ng amelioration for second tranche," Bautista said. (If you look at RA 11469, it is stipulated there that the focus of SAP is the low-income, so for middle class, I know the Department of Finance has program to give them amelioration in fact thru SSS. What I know the DOF already downloaded the first tranche and they are set to download amelioration for the second tranche.) He disclosed that P98.4 billion worth of SAP subsidies have been distributed to 17.4 million beneficiaries nationwide or 96.77 percent of the 18 million low-income households targeted to receive the cash aid. He said 1,250 out of 1,634 LGUs have completed the SAP payout. While, 505 LGUs have submitted their complete liquidation reports and 177 LGUs are expected to finish their reports.