Households left out in cash aid distribution to be given assistance, says Año

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday ordered all local government units to provide a list of those who were left out in the distribution of cash subsidy under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

In a press statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said concerned families would be given assistance as long as they are qualified under the guidelines of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Through a memorandum circular, Año said the LGUs have until May 21 to submit the names of the beneficiaries to the DILG and the DSWD.

“'Wag po kayong mag-alala, tutulungan po kayo ng ating pamahalaan. We are giving the LGUs three days to submit their initial list to us in DILG and to the DSWD which in turn will validate that list,” he said.

According to Año, “left-out or waitlisted households” are low-income families who are not recipients of any conditional cash transfer and who were not included in the initial 18 million households who benefited in the first tranche of SAP aid.

Aside from the initial 18 million families targeted by the government, he said around five million left-out households are qualified for the SAP aid based on DSWD data.  

The DILG chief, however, clarified that the said list would still be validated by the DSWD. Following this, Año warned barangay officials not to commit anomalous acts in coming up with the list.

“Muli, barangay ang makakatuwang natin dito sa pagbuo ng listahan na ito. Binabalaan ko muli ang ating mga barangay officials na hindi namin sasantuhin ang mga mandaraya rito at maging sa pamimigay ng 2nd tranche ng SAP,” Año said.

On Monday, the agency said at least 23 barangay officials are facing criminal complaints for alleged anomalies in the distribution of the cash subsidy.

Over a hundred others are under "case build-up" of the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News