1,084 return SAP cash aid
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Davao bared that at least 1,084 individuals in Davao Region have voluntarily returned the emergency cash subsidy under the social amelioration program (SAP).
DSWD regional director Grace Subong said on Thursday, May 21, said these beneficiaries returned the aid to their respective local government units (LGUs) after already receiving assistance from other government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole’s) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (Tupad) or the small business wage program of the Department of Finance.
“Actually, mix ang pananglitan nadouble ang ilahang services na na-avail, naka-avail na sa DSWD, naka avail pod sa Dole. There are also nag-return na probably nahadlok ni sila manoted and mahibaw-an nga dili eligible (Some already received assistance from Dole while others returned it for fear that they will be found not eligible),” Subong said.
Based on the data of DSWD, about 96.73 percent or 920,124 families belonging to the low-income and informal sectors in the region have been served and received cash aid amounting to P6,000 as of May 20.
Of this number, 263,945 are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and 656,179 are non-4Ps. Some 31,069 remaining unserved families are set to receive their subsidies anytime this week.
DSWD data further showed that 46 out of the 49 local government units (LGUs) in the region have accomplished 100 percent implementation of the emergency subsidy program of the department. Davao City has yet to complete the distribution of SAP.
Subong said that some of those honest beneficiaries opted to return the amount after already receiving the Tupad assistance which is much higher compared to Dole. Under DSWD guidelines, those who already received assistance from other agencies are no longer qualified for SAP.
Subong said that they will determine those who benefited twice through their validation.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier warned individuals, who received aid twice and did not return the excess cash, that they will face a charge for their dishonesty.
Meanwhile, Subong said that they have yet to receive order from the national DSWD office if Davao Region could still continue with the cash distribution for the second tranche after it was placed under the general community quarantine.