OVER 12 million families have already received financial assistance under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.
As of May 3, the DSWD said the recipients included 3,814,756 Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) families and 8,235,507 non-4Ps families.
At least P16.7 billion has been distributed to 4Ps families while P48.6 billion has been disbursed to the local government units (LGUs) for distribution to other beneficiaries.
A total of P323.3 million has also been credited to 40,418 transport network vehicle services and public utility vehicle drivers, the DSWD added.
The national government has allotted P100 billion for the first wave of cash aid under SAP.
The SAP is provided in the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Under the SAP, low-income families all over the country shall receive a subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000 a month to provide for their basic needs during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The entire Luzon was placed under ECQ in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Local governments in the Visayas and Mindanao followed and imposed quarantine restrictions in their areas of jurisdiction.
Under an ECQ, public transport systems are suspended and the people, except the frontliners and essential workers, are required to stay home.
The DILG earlier said around two to four million families, particularly those who are not included in the first tranche and residents of areas still under ECQ are expected to benefit from the second tranche of the SAP cash aid. (SunStar Philippines)