DILG PR
Local government units (LGUs) have four days or until April 30 to completely distribute the emergency subsidy to 18 million families who are the intended beneficiaries under the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced today.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said LGUs must fast-track the pay-out or distribution of SAP financial assistance to intended beneficiaries so they will be able to make both ends meet during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Ibinaba na po ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang pondo para sa SAP emergency subsidy sa mga LGUs kaya wala na pong dahilan para hindi iyan makarating sa ating mga kababayang kapos-palad ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” said Año.
The DILG Secretary issued the call as his office received reports that some low-income families have not yet received the SAP financial aid despite having filled up the SAC forms.
“May kasabihan tayo na ‘aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.’ Kaya’t ang bilin natin sa lahat ng LGUs ay bilisan ang pagbibigay natin sa kanila ng ayudang nanggaling sa pamahalaan,” he said.
The LGU reminded all LGUs that they signed a MOA with the DSWD and they must abide by the terms of the MOA otherwise they will be made accountable.
He said the government is now gearing for the distribution of the second wave of SAP financial assistance wherein focus will be given to those in the areas under extended ECQ and those who were “left out” during the first wave.
“Magsisimula na tayo ng pamimigay ng second wave ng SAP sa Mayo. Let us ensure that all families left out who belong to the masterlist will also receive the emergency subsidy this time,” he said.
According to Bayanihan Heal as One Act, each of the 18-million low-income families will be provided with P5,000 to P8,000 subsidy to provide for basic food, medicine, and toiletries which is computed based on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates and existing subsidy programs of the local and national governments.
One SAP Program only
Meanwhile, DILG Spokesperson and Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communication Jonathan E. Malaya emphasized that each of the qualified family shall avail of only one SAP program only.
Malaya said that the qualified family can receive SAP financial assistance either through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Trade and Industry.
“Ang gobyerno ay may nakahandang ayuda para sa 18-milyong pamilya na nasa iba-ibang kategoriya. Kaya kung ang isang pamilya ay nakakuha na mula sa isang ahensiya, hindi na sila puwedeng tumanggap pa sa kabilang ahensiya except kung may butal,” Malaya said.
Malaya also reminded the public to use the SAP financial subsidy that they received from the government wisely.
“Gamitin ninyo ng tama at wasto ang bigay ng gobyerno para sa inyo. Hindi mangingimi ang gobyerno na alisin sa listahan, bawian ng ayuda, o parusahan ang sinumang nagsusugal at nag-iinom ng alak sa panahon ng krisis na ito,” Malaya said.
