By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  President Duterte believes that the distribution of the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP) will be faster with the help of the police and soldiers, Malacañang said. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said they have tapped the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in distributing the second tranche of the SAP. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque (ALBERT ALCAIN / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) In his Thursday briefing, Roque said barangays will still have a role in the distribution of the cash aid despite the help of the uniformed men. "Tingin ko yung pagtawag sa ating mga sundalo para tumulong sa pamimigay eh hindi naman ibig sabihin ichapwera na ang mga barangay. Siyempre meron pa ring importansiya dahil kakilala naman nila yung mga tao sa lugar. (I don't think calling on the soldiers to help in the distribution would mean the barangays will not have a role anymore. Of course, they're still part of it because they know their constituents well)," he said. "Pero naniniwala po ang Presidente na kung tutulong ang mga sundalo mas magiging mabilis po ang proseso. (But the President believes that with the help of the soldiers, the process will be expedited)," he added. According to Roque, the Palace is just waiting for the go-signal from the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) so the distribution of the second tranche of the cash aid can commence. He, however, reminded that local government units should first liquidate the first tranche. Meanwhile, he advised those who were not included in the first tranche to talk to their barangay captain because they are involved in the creation of the list for the second tranche. "Kung hindi kayo satisfied doon sa response ng inyong mga barangay captain, pumunta po kayo sa DSWD dahil talagang meron naman pong appeal procedure na diretso na sa DSWD. (If you're not satisfied with the response of your barangay captain, then go to the DSWD because they have an appeal procedure)," Roque said. In a pandemic task-force meeting late Tuesday, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said they have already coordinated with the AFP and the PNP for the second tranche of the SAP. "Mayroon na kaming initial coordination sa liderato ng AFP at saka PNP para makatulong sila sa pagbibigay ng ayuda lalong-lalo na sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga island barangays and island municipalities (We have already coordinated with the AFP and PNP so they can assist us in distributing the subsidy especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, isolated barangays, and island municipalities)," he said. Automated subsidy Meanwhile, Roque said the guidelines for the automated distribution of cash aid should be issued soon. "Malalaman po natin 'yan sa darating na linggo (We will know that next week)," he said. "Tatanungin na natin kung ano ang guidelines dito sa (I will ask what are the guidelines for the) automated transfer ng mga pondo dahil (of the funds because) the people have the right to know as soon as possible," he added. Bautista said on Tuesday that they will also be making use of digital payments for the second tranche of the SAP as it will be faster and safer. "Maganda rito kasi bukod sa mapapabilis ang pagbibigay ng ayuda ay wala pang contact sa pagbibigay ng pera ‘no (This is good because not only it will make the distribution faster, there will be no physical contact as well)," he said. "Ine-expect natin na since mayroong mga remittance centers, may mga bangko, sa mga highly-urbanized city (HUCs) o kaya sa mga urban areas ay mapadali nating maibibigay ‘yung ayuda sa mga benepisyaryo (We expect that since there are remittance centers and banks in HUCs or urban areas the distribution this time will be much easier)," he added. Early this week, President Duterte said that as much as he wants to give cash aid to everyone affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, it would be difficult since the government is short of tax collections. He has ordered Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado to scrutinize the line budgets of every department to see if there are funds that can be realigned to the second tranche of the SAP.