AROUND 1.7 million of the 18 million target families under the social amelioration program (SAP) have yet to receive the cash subsidy as of Monday, May 11.
Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said that as of 12 midnight Sunday, May 10, 90.86 percent of the 18 million target families have received the cash assistance.
The rest, or 9.14 percent (about one in 10 target families), have not received the cash subsidy of P5,000 to P8,000.
Malaya said 1,265 local government units (LGUs) in the country were able to complete the distribution of the SAP cash assistance and beat the May 10 deadline set by the DILG.
He said there will no longer be an extension for SAP distribution and LGUs that failed to complete distribution by May 10 will receive a show-cause order from the DILG, asking them to explain their poor performance.
“Wala na pong extension... Hindi po (titigil ang distribution) ang abiso ni (DILG Secretary Eduardo) Año hanggat hindi binabawi ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ang ponding hawak n’yo (LGUs) tuloy-tuloy lang ang pamimigay sainyong mga LGU dahil itong pondo na ito ay para sa mga kababayan na nangangailangan sa panahon na ito,” he said.
“Ang implication nito ‘yung hindi nakatapos mahina performace makakatanggap ng show cause order mula sa DILG, hingi kami ng reports kung sino LGU with poor performace, sila ay pagpapaliwanagin na,” he added.
Malaya said Caraga posted the highest SAP payout rate at 100 percent, following by the Bicol Region at 99.96 percent. Soccsksargen at 98.92 percent, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 96.86 percent, and Zamboanga Peninsula with 96.47 percent.
Central Luzon registered a 95.34 percent payout rate followed by Ilocos Region with 95 percent; Cagayan Valley with 92.82 percent; Mimaropa with 92.06 percent; Northern Mindanao with 90.13 percent; Western Visayas with 88.77 percent; Eastern Visayas with 85.28 percent; National Capital Region (NCR) with 85.13 percent; Calabarzon with 82.7 percent; Central Visayas with 80.45 percent; and Davao Region with 74 percent.
Malaya said the LGUs were given 14 days to liquidate the funds.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will validate the amount distributed before downloading the second tranche, which is targeted for distribution by the end of May.
The national government, through the Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, has allotted P200 billion to provide financial assistance to around 18 million poor families affected by the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. (SunStar Philippines)