Posted on by Pamilya Pantawid

KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will not give in to recommendations of some local government officials to split into two the emergency assistance of each households under Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to cover more recipients affected by the central government’s enhanced community quarantine in the region.

Fishermen, among the recipients of Social Amelioration Program of DSWD, are seen at Liguasan Marsh in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao. (JBM /DSWD Photo)

This was announced by Cezario Joel Espejo, DSWD-12 regional director, who said that the P5,000 SAP financial assistance should be received by qualified family beneficiaries in full.

He pointed out that no one is also allowed to put the financial assistance in an envelope with their names on it based on the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of Emergency Subsidy Program of DSWD, an intervention based on the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (RA 11469) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on March 25.

Across the region, at least 953, 853 households, including 246,000 in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), were targeted as recipients for the program. The 4Ps beneficiaries, who have cash cards, have already received their grants earlier this week – P750 for health subsidy, P600 rice allowance as part of the 4Ps grants and additional P3,650 to complete the P5,000 assistance under the SAP of government.

“There are sanctions if we deviate from the guidelines. The agency strictly adheres to what’s in the law concerning SAP implementation procedures,” Dir. Espejo said.

Meanwhile, Dir. Espejo reported the agency has started processing the documents and other necessary requirements submitted by the LGUs.

With tight monitoring from the DSWD regional office, the LGUs will distribute and collect social amelioration cards (SACs) that identify head of households as qualified recipients.

“We are looking forward in the next few days for some LGUs who will start the distribution of SAP to their constituents,” he added.

Citing the guidelines, Bonifacio Selma, DSWD-12 assistant regional director, stated that the SAP covers those belonging to the informal economy sector such as directly hired or occasional workers, subcontracted workers, homeworkers, househelpers, drivers of PUJs, UVs, PUBs, Taxi, Pedicabs, tricycles, micro-entrepreneurs, family enterprise owners, stranded workers, employees affected by “no work, no pay policy”, farmers, fisherfolks, farm workers, and Sub Minimum wage earners.

At the same time, other qualified recipients are the most affected and poorest of the poor. These are the senior citizens, PWDs, pregnant women, solo parents, overseas Filipino in distress, indigenous peoples, hAomeless citizen, farmers, fishermen, and self-employed. (JBM / DSWD)