LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Despite the four-day extended deadline for various local government units (LGUs) to distribute the multi-million Social Amelioration Program (SAP) funds intended for over a million poor families in Bicol, only 43 towns and cities or 38 percent of the 114 towns and cities were able to fully deliver the cash assistance to its beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol said on Sunday.
DSWD SAP tracker showed that 71 towns and cities fell behind the given deadline earlier set last April 30 but was extended to May 4.
Rio Mesa, DSWD spokesperson, said as of March 3, Saturday, LGUs with 88 percent performance include seven towns/cities in Albay, 18 in Camarines Sur, nine in Masbate, four in Camarines Norte, three in Sorsogon, and two in Catanduanes.
Mesa said these LGUs were able to distribute the P5,000 cash assistance each to some 677,306 families in their respective localities.
Mesa said that with only one day left to distribute, “we are hopeful that these LGUs would complete the distribution.”