DILG mulls extending SAP payout deadline for some LGUs

FILE: Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday (Oct. 11, 2019) (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said it will look into the possibility of extending the deadline for some local government units (LGUs) to complete the distribution of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) financial assistance to poor families.

“Yes, there is a possibility kasi (because) what’s the use of stopping it kung meron pa rin hindi nakatanggap (if there are those who haven’t received anything yet). We will check on that first. I will not give a particular means of sanction. Sabi ko nga (As I have said), we treat it on a case to case basis,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a press briefing in Taguig City.

He said they will make an assessment by Thursday to determine the LGUs that have completed the SAP distribution and determine the reason why some LGUs failed to meet the deadline.

“Remember this is a team effort, it’s a national government effort. Hindi lang sa LGUs yan (It’s not just about the LGUs),” he added

He, however, assured that due process will be observed for local officials who have failed to comply with the deadline, such as LGUs in Metro Manila.

“Among the LGUs, NCR lang talaga yung pinakamalaking problema because kanila yung pinakamaraming (the NCR has the biggest problem because they have the highest number of) families who are beneficiaries. In other LGUs, okay naman (there is no problem),” he said.

On Tuesday, the DILG hailed 828 LGUs nationwide that have completed the payout of the first tranche of the SAP.

Of the 828 LGUs that beat the deadline on Monday, 56 are in the Cordillera Administrative Region, 38 in Ilocos Region, 31 in Cagayan Valley; 36 in Central Luzon, 63 in Calabarzon, 62 in Mimaropa, 70 in the Bicol region, 114 in Western Visayas, 52 in Central Visayas, 95 in Eastern Visayas, 71 in Zamboanga Peninsula, 17 in Northern Mindanao, 26 in Davao region, 32 in Soccsksargen, and 65 in Caraga.

Metro Manila LGUs and the provinces of Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cebu and Davao City, which have high-density population, were given until May 7, a seven-day extension from the initial April 30 deadline, to complete the payout.