Año says he won't extend social amelioration aid distribution beyond May 7

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said he would no longer extend the distribution of cash aid from the Social Amelioration Program beyond the May 7 deadline. 

"Kailangan tapusin nila 'yan, kasi ayoko na ring mag-extend... Dapat matapos nila 'yan. Kung kailangang hindi sila matulog, 'wag muna silang matulog," Año told reporters. 

Local government officials were initially given until April 30 to distribute the cash aid for qualified beneficiaries. However, some localities had failed to meet the deadline.

Año then said a seven-day extension would be implemented in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Cebu City and Davao City while other local government units (LGUs) with payout problems had a four-day extension to complete the distribution of the first tranche. 

At this time, Año expressed confidence that concerned LGUs would be able to finish the distribution of cash aid by May 7. 

"Oo, matatapos 'yan at nandiyan 'yung sikmura nu'ng mga kababayan natin. This is really a very tall order ha. First time ito na ginawa. Wala pang gobyerno ang gumawa ng ganitong social amelioration," he said. 

Latest data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that a total of 828 local government units nationwide have completed the payout of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program financial assistance. It means that the distribution of the cash subsidy in the country was already 75% finished. 

Of the total number, 56 were in the Cordillera Administrative Region; 38 in Ilocos Region; 31 in Cagayan Valley, 36 in Central Luzon, 63 in CALABARZON, 62 in MIMAROPA, 70 in the Bicol region, 114 in Western Visayas, 52 in Central Visayas, 95 in Eastern Visayas, 71 in Zamboanga Peninsula; 17 in Northern Mindanao; 26 in Davao region; 32 in SOCCSKSARGEN; and 65 in CARAGA.

Año also urged the more than 800 LGUs to liquidate immediately. 

“Ang next challenge sa inyo ay makapag-liquidate kaagad and account for our each centavo of this taxpayer’s money to the DSWD,” he said. —KG, GMA News