Pasig distributes P8K aid to families in need not included in national gov't's social amelioration list

The Pasig City government on Tuesday began distributing its supplemental aid worth P8,000 for families in need who were not included in the national government's Social Amelioration Program.

"Simula na po tayo ngayong Martes, May 5... nagsisimula na po ang ating Pasig supplemental SAP," Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said in a press briefing.

"Nakita po natin na ito po ang puwede nating gawin dito sa Pasig dahil alam natin may problema talaga sa national o DSWD SAP, kailangan lang natin tapusin ito, ngayon puwede na tayong magsimula sa supplemental SAP," he said.

Sotto said the supplemental SAP will target around 150,000 to 160,000 families, and urged beneficiaries to stay at home during the distribution.

The Pasig City LGU will conduct its pilot run of its Pasig SAP in barangays Malinao, San Antonio, Sagad, Santa Rosa, and Buting.

Beneficiaries

The Pasig City LGU included in its beneficiaries traditional or nuclear families; senior citizens with grandchildren that have no parents; grandparents with grandchildren of legal age, working, and supporting his or her siblings; solo parents with their children, either under age or legal age; solo parents still supporting their married children and all are in one household; and widowed supporting their children. 

They also included legally married couples that have no children; and LGBTQ partners with children following one of their surnames.

Excluded are those already included in the list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); 4Ps beneficiaries; government employees (except those in "volunteer" status); illegally-married couples who have no children; and individuals temporarily residing in Pasig City.

Sotto said the distribution of the cash subsidy from the national Social Amelioration Program  is almost finished.

The cash assistance for around 150,000 families in Pasig City who are not included in the list of beneficiaries for the national government's Social Amelioration Program will be shouldered by the local government, Sotto said earlier.

"Ang gagawin po natin sa Pasig, nakahanap po kami ng pondo. Over P1 billion po 'yung na-identify natin na pondo para dagdagan po 'yung tinatawag nating Pasig Suplemental Social Amelioration Program," he said in an interview on Unang Balita last April 15.

Meanwhile, Sotto slammed on Tuesday a former Philippine Basketball Association player for allegedly cursing and shouting at city hall personnel as they distributed the financial aid in Pasig Green Park Village.

Sotto said the ex-PBA player must have felt the cash subsidy was too small.

"Kung naliliitan siya sa pinamimigay ng city ibig sabihin hindi niya kailangan 'yun," Sotto said. "Alam ko naman kung magkano sweldo niya dati. Hindi naman siya mahirap."

The cash subsidy is given to help families cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  —KG/KBK, GMA News