Palace gives go-signal for distribution of second tranche of cash aid

MANILA, Philippines — The distribution of the second tranche of the government’s social amelioration program to aid low-income families in light of the COVID-19 pandemic may now begin, Malacañang said Monday.

During a televised briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said a total of 17 million poor families will benefit under the SAP’s second tranche.

“Puwede na pong ipamahagi yung second tranche ng SAP. So kasama na po dyan yung limang milyong bagong pangalan na bibigyan po ng ayuda at yung 12 million na dati nang nakakuha ng ayuda during the first batch,” Roque said.

(The SAP’s second tranche can already be distributed. That includes the 5 million new names and the 12 million families who already received aid during the first tranche.)

Due to limited funds, the second tranche of SAP was limited to families living in areas under enhanced community quarantine.

But previously, President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Budget department and Congress to help him look for more funds to cover more poor families under SAP’s second tranche.

“Ang pagkakaiba po, gagamitan natin ng electronic ways para magbayad sa ating mga kababayan at tutulong na po ang hukbong sandatahan sa pagdidistribute ng ayuda,” Roque further said

(The difference is we will be using electronic ways to distribute the cash aid and state forces will also help in its distribution.)

Under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, each SAP beneficiary will receive P5,000 to P8,000 cash subsidy for two months based on the prevailing minimum wage rates in their respective regions.

EDV