THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has extended the deadline for the distribution of of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to May 10, 2020.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said he recognizes the challenges encountered by local government units (LGUs) on the ground especially those with high density population like Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cebu and Davao City, hence the decision to extend the deadline for the payout anew.
“We have received reports from our field offices na kahit na 24/7 ang pamimigay ng ayuda ay mahihirapan talagang mameet ng LGUs ang May 7 deadline lalo na ‘yung mga nasa Metro Manila. We are therefore giving them until May 10 para makompleto lahat ‘yan,” he said.
He said that the League of Cities of the Philippines and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines together with the Metro Manila Development Authority requested for an additional three days to complete the SAP distribution.
Año also commended the 985 LGUs nationwide that have met the deadline and completed the distribution of the first tranche.
The DILG Chief said that those LGUs who will not be able to meet the new deadline on May 10 will definitely receive show cause orders from the Department. “This is the last extension that we will grant to the LGUs. Our people cannot wait any longer,” he said.
Año commended the 985 LGUs nationwide that have completed their SAP distribution to quickly liquidate the distributed amount to the DSWD.
“Nasa pangalawang round na ng distribusyon ng SAP. LGUs by now have learned the ropes of the efficient distribution mechanisms in communities. Address the loopholes to ensure that the cash aid is received by beneficiaries in the whole amount and as early as possible. Iyong hindi nabibinbin ang distribusyon at walang ganid na nakakakupit o nakakabulsa nito,” he said Friday
Año said that based on the reports of the DILG Regional Offices as of 8 pm of May 6, of the 985 LGUs, 123 are in Western Visayas; 102 in Bicol Region; 95 in Eastern Visayas; 75 in Ilocos Region; 69 in Zamboanga Peninsula; 65 in CARAGA; 74 in CALABARZON; 62 in MIMAROPA; 60 in Northern Mindanao; 63 in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); 70 in Central Visayas; 39 in Central Luzon; 33 in SOCCSKSARGEN; 29 in Cagayan Valley; and 26 in Davao Region.
The DSWD will conduct validation within 15 days after the distribution of LGUs to check if the given recipients are the appropriate beneficiaries and to ensure no doubling of payout of the same tranche to the same family. ( with PR)
