96 percent of cash aid beneficiaries receive 1st tranche

MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-six percent of the beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) have already received the first tranche of the government cash aid, the Department of Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a televised press briefing that government is now preparing the distribution of the second round of the emergency subsidy program.

“Sa pinakahuling datos po na natanggap ng DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) kagabi, as of 10 o’clock kagabi, nasa 96 percent na po ng ating kabuuang intended beneficiaries ay nakatanggap na,” said Malaya.

(According to the latest data received by the DILG last night, as of 10 p.m., 96 percent of the intended beneficiaries have received the first tranche.)

Under the SAP, 18 million poor families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be given a monthly cash aid of P5,000 to 8,000 for two months under a P200-billion budget.

However, Malaya also said that least 30 mayors would be asked to explain the slow distribution of the SAP in their localities.

Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said a Palace order would be issued in the coming days to start the process for the release of the second tranche of the emergency subisdy program.

“Lalabas naman po ‘yan, siguro itong linggong ito para makapagsimula na nga ‘yung second tranche,” Roque said in a separate press briefing.

(It will be released, it could anytime this week to finally start the release of the second tranche of the SAP.)

EDV