DILG chief Año extends nationwide cash aid distribution to May 10

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday announced that he would extend the nationwide distribution of the cash aid from the government's Social Amelioration Program to May 10.

"Totoo 'yan. Marami namang nakacomply na na mga LGUs... 985 completed already out of 1,634 LGUs (local government units) as of 8 p.m. last night. Pero may mga problemang areas talaga like Metro Manila," Año said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"We will extend up to May 10 para sigurado na. Pero 'yung iba naman kasi tapos na, nagsisimula na 'yung liquidation na 'yung sinubmit nila na binigyan ivavalidate then susunod na 'yung second tranche," he added.

In a separate statement, Año said he decided to extend the deadline due to the challenges being encountered by areas with a large number of population, including the National Capital Region, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cebu and Davao City.

"We have received reports from our field offices na kahit na 24/7 ang pamimigay ng ayuda ay mahihirapan talagang mameet ng LGUs ang May 7 deadline lalo na ‘yung mga nasa Metro Manila," he said.

Año warned that those LGUs who would still fail to meet the May 10 deadline will receive show cause orders from the agency.

"This is the last extension that we will grant to the LGUs. Our people cannot wait any longer," he said.

In a separate television interview, Año said he ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exempt those individuals distributing and getting the cash aid from the curfew being implemented as part of the enhanced community quarantine.

"We are now working 24/7. In fact, I have given instruction to the PNP to exempt all citizens who are going to distribution points to be exempted from curfew because all our LGUs are working all the time," Año said.

He said once the Department of Social Welfare and Development accepts the liquidation of the LGUs on the first tranche, the agency will immediately hand the second tranche to the local officials.

"As long as the DSWD accepted their liquidation, validated the list, they will immediately release the money..." Año said.

May 7 is the deadline of the distribution of the first tranche of the cash aid from SAP after it was extended for seven days from April 30, the original deadline.

The agency is hoping that the national pay-out rate will increase to 80% by the end of Thursday. As of 10 p.m. of May 6, 77.68% of the intended beneficiaries nationwide have received their SAP assistance.

Año has admitted that the National Capital Region has the biggest problem in distributing the cash assistance because it houses a huge number of qualified beneficiaries. 

Around 18 million low-income families were targeted to receive monthly cash subsidies ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 for two months as mandated by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Republic Act 11469). — KBK/RSJ, GMA News