Published
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday assured an estimated five million low income families of a smoother cash aid distribution under the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP) for those who were severely affected by the enhanced community quarantine imposed since mid-March.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (PCOO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Initially some 18 million qualified beneficiaries were granted varying cash aids depending on the regional minimum wage.
But President Duterte ordered the release of more financial assistance as impoverished families belonging to the poorest among the poor sector did not receive financial assistance during the initial distribution.
Año said that the local government units (LGUs) may complete the cash aid distribution for the second wave within 15 days.
Since the list of qualified beneficiaries has been finalized, Año assured that the cash aid distribution will now be more orderly and hassle-free once the money and the social welfare officers arrive.
Año reiterated that the five million families who were left out of the first tranche would be prioritized in the second wave of cash grants.
In a previous interview, Año noted that an estimated 4,094,311 names that were submitted by the LGUs will be prioritized under the second tranche.
He noted that the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) will assist in the distribution of the cash aid in remote areas and in places where there are peace and order concerns.
Año added that the automated teller machine (ATM) pay scheme will be used in most instances to facilitate the distribution of the financial help in the second wave.
The distribution of the initial batch of SAP aid in April in some areas was disorderly as the number complaints of being excluded in the financial assistance mounted.
