MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that some PHP50.7 billion worth of financial aid were already given to 7,834,495 family beneficiaries of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
The agency reported on Thursday that as of July 29, they have successfully sent aid to almost half their target family beneficiaries who were identified by their respective local government units (LGUs) as among the most affected individuals of the public health crisis.
The PHP50.7 billion worth of financial aid received by the beneficiaries was posted on the DSWD official Facebook account.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista has remained positive to complete the distribution by the end of the month as he stated in a conference on Tuesday.
He, however, reiterated that the assistance will come no later than August 15 for beneficiaries living in conflict-affected areas and those identified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged.
Police and military assets will accompany DSWD officials when delivering the aid to guarantee safe transportation of the SAP, he added.
Meanwhile, the agency has also underscored the financial inclusivity brought upon by the digital transactions to the beneficiaries who have lesser access to banking and saving.
Bautista, in the same briefer, highlighted the involvement of several financial service providers (FSPs) in the program for hastening the process of claiming aid as well as introducing the beneficiaries to “saving and digital banking”.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas has recommended GCash, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Robinson’s Bank, Starpay, UnionBank, and Paymaya as service providers of SAP noting their accessibility to the beneficiaries.