QC begins distribution of unclaimed aid to over 40,000 beneficiaries

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The local government unit (LGU) of Quezon City has begun the distribution of an unclaimed second tranche of financial aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to more than 40,000 beneficiaries.

In a statement on Wednesday, the QC LGU said a total of 40,699 citizens may claim their financial benefits during a two-week manual payout at the Quezon Memorial Circle covered court.

The QC explained these beneficiaries were not able to claim their second tranche of aid under the SAP after encountering issues on digital platforms like Starpay and GCash used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to distribute the aid.

“Our citizens encountered various problems when they were trying to claim their 2nd tranche ayuda when this was being fully distributed via digital and automated means. Some of the beneficiaries did not have smartphones or internet access for them to have an e-wallet account,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“That’s why the national government, through much prodding by the city government and barangays, finally started the manual distribution of the unclaimed cash aid yesterday,” he added.

The complete list of recipients who have yet to claim their cash aid and their respective payout schedule will be posted in barangays and will be made available on the city government’s website.

Beneficiaries were also urged to follow the schedule assigned to avoid overcrowding and ensure observance of minimum health protocols.

“Muli po naming pinapaalala sa mga residente na i-check niyo po muna sa inyong barangay kung kabilang po kayo sa waitlisted list ng SAP at pumunta lamang po sa payout site sa araw ng inyong schedule base rin sa abiso ng inyong barangay,” Belmonte emphasized.

(We remind residents to first check with their villages if you are in the list of SAP that is waitlisted and only go to your payout site on your scheduled day advised by your village.)

Recipients need to bring their valid ID, a photocopy of the ID with three signatures, and their Social Amelioration Card (SAC) form signed by authorized signatories.

If the beneficiary cannot claim the assistance personally, an authorized representative listed in the SAC form may claim the aid on their behalf after presenting a valid ID, a photocopy of an ID with three signatures, a photocopy of the beneficiary’s ID, and the SAC form.

The bereaved family of a dead beneficiary can also claim cash aid by presenting the death certificate, a barangay certification indicating that the beneficiary has passed away, a photocopy of the ID of the original beneficiary, a valid ID, a photocopy of the relative’s ID with three signatures, and the SAC form.

The city government has also tapped the Quezon City Police District and Department of Public Order and Safety to ensure the orderly distribution of the cash assistance. Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, INQUIRER trainee

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JPV