MANILA, Philippines — Only 18,400 out of 46,000 families in Pasay City have received cash aid out of the social amelioration program (SAP) of the government, the local government said Thursday.
Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano met with barangay officials to find measures to speed up the distribution of SAP cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Photos by Teddy Ofaga / PIO.
In a statement, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said that this was equivalent to only 40 percent of the total number of beneficiaries expected to receive cash assistance due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Originally, the deadline for the distribution of the first tranche of SAP was slated for May 7, but the Department of Interior and Local Employment extended it until May 10.
“This will definitely help speed up the distribution of the funds,” Rubiano said about the extension.
The mayor also advised that SAP beneficiaries who are senior citizens or persons with disabilities to send their representatives instead in receiving their funds.
Under Republic 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”, 18 million low-income families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from the SAP, as they will receive a cash subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 for two months, depending on prevailing regional minimum wages.
As of Thursday, the Philippines has 10,343 COVID-19 cases, with 1,618 recoveries and 685 deaths.