SAP 2 payouts 95% complete: DSWD

Pamonag said those who have received the SAP cash aid include 1.39 million beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), 6.99 million low-income, and non-4Ps recipients, and 5.15 million waitlisted beneficiaries. (File photo: Department of Social Welfare and Development/Facebook)

MANILA – Around 13.5 million beneficiaries or 95 percent of the 14.3 million low-income households targeted to receive the second tranche of the national government’s social amelioration program (SAP) have been served, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Wednesday.

During the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s hearing on the implementation of the SAP, DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said PHP81.1 billion has been distributed to around 13,544,710 beneficiaries nationwide.

“I am pleased to report that for the second tranche of social amelioration program, a total amount of PHP81.1 billion had been disbursed for the benefit of 13.5 million families or beneficiaries and this is translated to the 95-percent accomplishment of the program’s target,” Pamonag said.

“I would like to say that we are optimistic that we will be able to serve all our eligible beneficiaries in due time as the necessary documentary requirements are now being processed for the subsequent transfer of funds to our beneficiaries through our FSPs (financial service providers), through direct payouts,” he added.

Pamonag said those who have received the SAP cash aid include 1.39 million beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), 6.99 million low-income, and non-4Ps recipients, and 5.15 million waitlisted beneficiaries.

The agency has initially challenged itself to finish the payouts by August 15, however, some local government units (LGUs) have not sent a complete list of pre-validated beneficiaries.

“We would like to assure this committee and our kababayans that the DSWD remains steadfast and committed to delivering the emergency subsidy in the soonest possible time,” he said.

The Bayanihan to Heal As One Act has given the national government powers to provide emergency subsidies to low-income families.

The Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 of 2020 stated that the subsidy shall amount to a minimum of PHP5,000 to a maximum of PHP8,000 a month for two months to provide for basic food, medicine, and toiletries.