301 village execs face raps over SAP anomaly

MANILA, Philippines — At least 301 barangay officials across the country have been charged over alleged anomalies in the distribution of cash assistance under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said 76 more cases are under investigation by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

“Hindi po hihinto ang DILG at ang PNP sa paghabol sa mga kurakot na barangay, LGU officials at personnel,” DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said.

A majority of those charged are barangay captains and council members. There were also barangay secretaries and treasurers.

The CIDG said the charges were based on the complaints of 381 persons.

Among the allegations are splitting of SAP grants, getting cuts from the beneficiaries and soliciting processing fees.

The respondents face charges for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and RA 11332 or Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases.

President Duterte had earlier offered a reward of P30,000 for information on local officials involved in irregularities involving SAP funds.

The government is eyeing the distribution of the second tranche of cash aid under the program this month.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development tapped PayMaya, the digital financial services arm of PLDT’s Voyager Innovations, to provide cashless distribution of financial aid to clients of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Under the program, beneficiaries can avail themselves of medical, educational, burial or transportation assistance as immediate aid or safety net to help them recover from any crisis.

Those availing themselves of AICS can receive the cash assistance from any of the 30,000 Smart Padala branches nationwide through their PayMaya accounts.

Beneficiaries can also use the funds in their accounts to pay for bills and buy groceries and other essential items. Richmond Mercurio, Rainier Allan Ronda