Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday extended the distribution of the cash aid under the social amelioration program (SAP) to qualified beneficiaries from May 7 to May 10.
Initially the deadline was set on April 10, but many local government units (LGUs) requested for an extension due to various difficulties. This prompted Año to extend it to May 7.
Año said only 985 out of the 1,634 concerned LGUs have completed the distribution of the financial assistance as of 8 p.m. of May 6.
He admitted that some problematic LGUs are facing huge challenges with the sheer number of cash aid recipients, forcing him to adjust the deadline further.
Año’s decision is a welcome development for Quezon City which initially requested for a 25-day extension.
Latest report revealed that Quezon City has the most number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila with 1,464.
Due to its huge land area and enormous population, both the largest in Metro Manila, the massive number of cash aid beneficiaries almost makes it impossible for the city to meet the May 7 deadline without violating quarantine protocols like social distancing.
For LGUs that have completed the cash aid distribution, Año said some have started the liquidating process that will be submitted for validation in preparation for the second wave of financial assistance for those qualified beneficiaries who were excluded in the initial list.
However, Año said the May 10 extension is only applicable in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Metro Manila is a populous region. We have to give them some additional days,” Año said.
To expedite the distribution, Año has 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. (Chito Chavez)
