In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

New cash subsidy not SAP 3rd tranche, DSWD clarifies

By Christine Cudis

November 16, 2020, 3:40 pm

MANILA – The government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) is different from the newly implemented emergency cash subsidy under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act 2 (Bayanihan 2), an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Monday.

"Bayanihan 2 cash subsidy is not third tranche for SAP 2," DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

This clarification comes on the heels of reports that some SAP beneficiaries took to social media to ask questions whether they are still the same recipients of the new financial program.

The Bayanihan 2 cash subsidy is provided to low-income families in areas placed under “granular lockdowns” starting Sept. 13.

They are entitled to receive an emergency cash subsidy ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 regardless of the number of times that their area has been declared under granular lockdown, and regardless of any extension in the declared lockdown.

Last week, DSWD-National Capital Region kicked off the distribution of the cash aid to beneficiaries in San Juan City, Metro Manila.

"The target beneficiaries for Bayanihan 2 are low-income families in granular lockdown areas; mga hindi nakatanggap ng SAP 1 and 2 and undocumented overseas Filipinos na nagbalik ng bansa (those who did not receive SAP 1 and 2 as well as those undocumented overseas Filipinos who returned here)," Dumlao said.

In its guidelines, DSWD said the new cash subsidy is only given once.

On the other hand, SAP, which is under the already-lapsed Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act (Bayanihan 1), provided each qualified family at least PHP5,000 up to PHP8,000 per month for two months for basic food, medicine, and toiletries.

The amount varies, depending on the prevailing regional minimum wage rates and takes into account other subsidy programs in cash or in-kind under the DSWD.

SAP sought to provide assistance to 18 million Filipino families who were greatly affected by the ECQ.

Under the Bayanihan 2, the Department of Budget and Management said the DSWD will focus their fund for the recovery program of the low-income families through their Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

DSWD's SLP is a capacity building program aimed at nurturing the entrepreneurial and labor skills of poor households by providing them with opportunities to enhance their access to basic social services and improve their standard of living. (PNA)

 

Comments