“We want the process of identifying the target beneficiaries under the SAP to be transparent. Hence, we have directed all our punong barangays to post the masterlist of beneficiaries in strategic areas in their barangays so that the residents will also be informed if they will receive the said financial assistance from the government,” Año said,
SAP is a cash emergency subsidy program for 18 million Filipino families whose lives are greatly affected by the lockdown due to COVID-19 and is mandated by the new law, the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act, which was signed by the President on March 25.
SAP beneficiaries, according to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 of the implementing agencies, get cash emergency subsidies ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 pesos a month for two months, the amount based on the daily minimum wage in the regions and takes into account the other subsidy programs in cash or in-kind, under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In Mindanao, the cash emergency subsidy in Regions 9 (Zamboanga), 12 (Soccsksargen), Caraga and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is 5,000 pesos while those in Regions 10 and 11 is 6,000 pesos.
Año issued the statement after receiving reports from field offices on the lack of transparency in the distribution of SAC (Social Amelioration cards) forms and assistance to target beneficiaries.
He said it is important to post the list so the residents will understand that the poorest of the poor should be prioritized. Posting the list, he added, would also allow residents to give barangay officials feedback if they believe they should be part of the list.
Ano said the posting of the list also ensures that the barangay’s listing of the targeted beneficiaries is complete and correct. If there are mistakes or the list does not include people who should be on that list, this can be acted upon by the city or municipal government or reported to the DSWD, he said.[]
He said the DSWD had earlier given assurance that local government units may request for additional funding for those who were not included in the first tranche of SAP financial assistance released earlier this month.
The target beneficiaries of SAP are “families that belong to either the poor or informal sector which are at risk of not earning a living during the Enhanced Community Quarantine, who may have at least one member belonging to any of the following vulnerable or disadvantaged sectors:
