SOME 98,000 identified beneficiaries will start receiving the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Cordillera said.
Leo Quintilla, DSWD regional director, said the second tranche of SAP will be done through digital payouts hoped to be completed until August.
"The second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program have started in the Cordillera. We have a total of 98,490 families targeted for the second tranche. Today, we are starting the direct payout at the Municipalities of Bakun, Kabayan and Sablan facilitated by DSWD," Quintilla reported.
DSWD reiterated that among the challenges seen in the second tranche of SAP is the absence of cellular phone units or access to digital payments for some of the beneficiaries.
With this, the agency has sought the support of financial service providers and the local government units.
Areas in the region with no internet connection such as the towns of Bakun, Kabayan and Sablan, all in the Benguet Province will have to undergo direct payouts.
DSWD-Cordillera recognizes the importance of the second tranche of SAP for identified beneficiaries in preparation for the opening of classes this school year.
"This is very important because we want to connect this to education. There is a need for financial support of the families in preparation for the opening of classes and of course, education is very important for DSWD considering that we have around 60,000 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries," Quintilla said.
The regional director said for Baguio City, DSWD is still in the process of validating wait listed families but expects to release payments soon.
"The purpose of the SAP is to answer for the needs of the family particularly food and education while we are under the community quarantine. Still for the second tranche of SAP, a family will receive P5,500," said the DSWD official.