The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified on Friday (April 16) that local government units (LGUs) are authorized to identify possible additional beneficiaries of the new set of assistance from the national government, after some previous beneficiaries of last year’s social amelioration program (SAP) left their neighborhoods.
This comes amid the emergence of complaints from some individuals that their names are not on the aid distribution list. Authorities explained that LGUs are currently basing their present list on the list of last year’s SAP beneficiaries.
“Napansin namin sa mga ibang LGU na… marami po sa SAP beneficiary last year ay umuwi na sa probinsya at wala na po ngayon sa kanilang lugar [We observed in some LGUs that many SAP beneficiaries from last year have gone back to their provinces and are no longer residing here],” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.
“Since wala na po at nasa probinsya na sila, pwede na pong magdagdag ng benepisyaryo ang mga local government units [Since they are no longer here and are at their provinces, LGUs can now add beneficiaries],” Malaya added.
Last year’s SAP aid, a feature of the Bayanihan 1 Act, was released to provide assistance to those financially hit by the strict lockdowns imposed when the pandemic first hit. This year’s aid comes from the national government and is given to qualified recipients affected by the recent two-week enhanced community quarantine in the Greater Manila area.
The DILG also said it is currently evaluating the requests of some LGUs to extend the duration of aid distribution.
In the case of San Juan City, over 17,000 families have been given assistance, except for those under quarantine or granular lockdown. San Juan LGU, however, gave the assurance that their cash aid will be given to them.
Meanwhile, the DILG will coordinate with the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) regarding the reported 8,000 complaints received by the latter about the distribution of aid.
Malaya said they are receiving complaints mostly regarding the non-inclusion of some names in the aid list, waivers that some LGUs are asking aid recipients to sign, and gatherings. He said these are immediately resolved by the grievance and appeals committee of LGUs. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG-jlo
