More than 14M beneficiaries get SAP 2 aid

For SAP 2, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency provided aid to 14,117,957 beneficiaries. (PNA Photo)

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said it has breached the 14-million mark of its target beneficiaries for the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP 2).

For SAP 2, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency provided aid to 14,117,957 beneficiaries.

“Over 14 million na ang nabigyan [ng SAP 2] (We have recorded over 14 million beneficiaries who received their aid already),” Dumlao said in an interview, adding the agency also kicked off the distribution of the emergency subsidy program under the Bayanihan 2.

DSWD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin, in a virtual press briefer, appealed to the remaining qualified family-beneficiaries to coordinate with DSWD’s field offices to facilitate the release of their long-overdue grants.

He added that payouts are still ongoing for other beneficiaries.

Due to the missing and/or incorrect personal information such as contact numbers, middle names, and birthdays filled out by some beneficiaries, their cash assistance was not delivered on time.

DSWD’s financial institution partners have requested complete and correct information to process their transactions, Gudmalin said.

“DSWD appeals to beneficiaries who are yet to receive their cash aid to check with your respective regional office so they can track the reasons why yours were delayed,” he said in the vernacular.

The 11 areas covered by SAP 2 are Region 3 (Central Luzon) except Aurora province, National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo, province of Cebu, Bacolod City, Davao City, the province of Albay and Zamboanga City.

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 states 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.