No second tranche budget for LGUs until first tranche is distributed -DSWD

Only local government units (LGUs) that were able to fully distribute the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) cash aid to beneficiaries can receive the budget for the second tranche, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista said the delay in distribution could drag the process in acquiring the fund for the second tranche.

“Kapag hindi sila nakapag-liquidate sa unang tranche (April) na ayuda, mada-drag po ito. Kaya, kapag natagalan ‘yung pag-liquidate, hindi rin maibibigay ang ayuda para sa pangalawang buwan (May),” he said.

The DSWD said 72.3% or over 13 million out of the 18 million beneficiaries already received the cash subsidy. Initially, the deadline of the distribution was scheduled on April 30 but it extended to May 7, Thursday.

In a separate interview, DSWD Director Irene Dumlao expressed confidence that LGUs will complete the first tranche of distribution on the deadline.

In case they will not, Bautista said the local governments may formallt request Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año for further extension.

“Personally, kung sakali mang hindi ma-meet ‘yung deadline bukas, siguro puwede rin ulit silang mag-request for extension sa ating DILG, at ipaliwanag kung bakit hindi nila na-meet,” he said.

“Of course, nasa atin nang Interior and Local Government secretary kung pahihintulutan,” he added.

According to Bautista, some LGUs in high-risk areas for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) faced difficulty in distributing the cash subsidy as they observe health protocols such as physical distancing.

“Sa ibang probinsya, meron tayong mga isolated barangays o municipalities na hindi mabilisang maaabot ng ating lokal na pamahalaan na mabigyan ng ayuda,” he added.

Aside from these, distribution was also delayed because some LGUs had problem visiting areas with security concerns, like in Soccsksargen where disputes among families are common, Bautista said.

“Talagang pinagliliban at chini-check muna kung safe and secured na puntahan,” he added.

At least 556 local government units already finished their distribution of emergency cash subsidy, according to DSWD.

The program in light of the COVID-19 impact aims to distribute aid of up to P16, 000 to 18 million low income families nationwide in two months with a budget of P200 billion. --KBK, GMA News