Pasig OKs over P1.2-B cash aid for families not on gov’t list

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig government has approved a P1.2 billion worth of funds to provide cash aid for over 150,000 families in Pasig who are not included in the list of beneficiaries of the national government’s social amelioration program (SAP).

In an online press briefing on Thursday, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said the Pasig City Council approved the Pasig City Supplemental SAP for families adversely affected by the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“‘Yung para sa Supplemental SAP, nasa mga P1.2 or P1.3 billion yung budget na na-approve,” Sotto said.

(For the Supplemental SAP, we have around P1.2 or P1.3 billion budget that was approved.)

Sotto said only 93,000 families of Pasig were covered under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s list because the government used 2015 data for the list of beneficiaries.

“Humigit kumulang nasa 260,000 families ang nangangailangan ng tulong sa ngayon dahil sa enhanced community quarantine,” he said.

(Over 260,000 families need assistance because of the enhanced community quarantine.)

“That leaves us 150,000  (families) na hindi kasama sa programang nasyonal… sasaluhin yan ng programang Pasig,” Sotto added.

(That leaves us 150,000 families who are not included in national government’s program… Pasig government’s plan will provide assistance.)

Sotto also noted that those eligible for Pasig government’s supplemental SAP are contractual workers in Pasig.