1,204 LGUs complete SAP payout before deadline

MANILA, Philippines — As of yesterday, 1,204 out of 1,632 local government units (LGUs) have completed distribution of aid to qualified residents in their localities, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday said 58 have submitted liquidation reports, which is necessary for the release of the second tranche of funds for the month of May.

According to the agency, more than P75.2 billion has been distributed to 13.6 million families as of Wednesday. The initial target was 18 million.

LGUs only have until today to finish the distribution of the emergency cash subsidy to low-income families affected by measures put in place to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Last Thursday, the DSWD and the DILG agreed to extend the deadline for distribution to May 10.

The second extension was meant to give more time to LGUs facing difficulties in distribution of the cash aid, especially in densely populated areas.

The DSWD expressed confidence that LGUs would exert their best effort to complete the distribution of the cash aid, which was meant for the month of April.

DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya warned that local executives who fail to meet the deadline will be issued show cause orders (SCO) by the department.

“They will receive an SCO from us – from Secretary Año, because it’s been too long now. This is the second extension already,” he said in Filipino in an interview on radio dzBB.

Among those who have received subsidy include 3.8 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and 9.8 million low-income families.

In Metro Manila, some LGUs have yet to reach 50 percent of their total target beneficiaries, based on data as of Thursday night.

These include Muntinlupa at 48.33 percent, Las Piñas at 42.79 percent, Navotas at 35.27 percent, Taguig at 32.25 percent and Malabon at 28.03 percent.

The distribution in Central Visayas is at 71.67 percent, with the Davao Region at 57.87 percent.

The CARAGA Region was able to fully complete their cash assistance payout, followed by the Bicol Region with 99.79 percent and the Cordillera Administrative Region at 93.92 percent.

The national government is readying the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP) distribution, which could include five-million more families who were left out in the first set.

The second wave of subsidies may be released by the DSWD on or before May 20 to the LGUs who have submitted complete liquidation reports of the first tranche.

The DSWD said it continues to work hand in hand with the DILG to ensure the smooth distribution of the emergency subsidy to the rightful beneficiaries at the same time adhering to existing health and safety protocols.

The DILG again reminded LGUs to comply with the posting of the list of beneficiaries in the barangays to ensure transparency in the distribution of SAPs.