31 LGUs in W. Visayas yet to complete SAP distribution

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than a month since the fund intended for the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) launched, thirty-one local government units (LGUs) have yet to complete the distribution of cash assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region 6 (DSWD-6) noted that majority of the remaining 31 LGUs with unfinished payout is already nearing completion.

Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, DSWD-6 regional director, said that LGUs with ongoing payout include 21 LGUs in Iloilo; 5 in Negros Occidental; 3 in Aklan; and one each in Capiz and Antique.

She said that all LGUs were given only until Wednesday, May 27, to finish their SAP distribution.

“As I’ve said, we really want all LGUs to finish their distribution already because our people need it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Macapobre said 102 LGUs have already completed their SAP payout as of 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

These include the following 26 LGUs in Negros Occidental – Bacolod City (Capital), Binalbagan, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, EB. Magalona, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Carlos City, San Enrique, Sipalay City, Talisay City, Toboso, Valladolid, and Salvador Benedicto.

Also completing their SAP distribution are 21 LGUs in Iloilo – Ajuy, Anilao, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Bingawan, Calinog, Concepcion, Dumangas, Estancia, Leganes, Lemery, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Pototan, San Enrique, San Miguel, San Rafael, Sara, and Zarraga.

All 17 towns of Antique – Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Culasi, Tobias Fornier, Hamtic, Laua-an, Libertad, Pandan, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sebaste, Sibalom, Tibiao, and Valderrama – have recorded a 100 percent SAP distribution.

For Capiz, 14 LGUs have also completed their payout. These include Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao, Jamindan, Ma-ayon, Mambusao, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Sapi-an, Sigma, and Tapaz.

The following towns in Aklan have also finished their payout: Altavas, Balete, Batan, Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Nabas, New Washington, Numancia, and Tangalan.

All the five towns of Guimaras – Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag – have also completed their payout.

Apart from the mentioned LGUs, six others have also completed their payout but with a lesser number of beneficiaries compared to their original target.

These LGUs are Dingle and Badiangan in Iloilo, Ivisan and Dumalag in Capiz, Victorias City in Negros Occidental, and Makato in Aklan.

“We commend these LGUs for completing the payout fast. This means genuine concern for the people to thrive during this time of crisis,” Macapobre said.

As of 12 noon of Wednesday, a total of 1,122,583 beneficiaries who are non-Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program members have already received their P6,000 cash assistance.

To note, DSWD 6 has a total of 1,153,784 target SAP beneficiaries.

In total, the agency has paid out P6,735,498,000 SAP assistance through the LGUs.

Aside from non-Pantawid beneficiaries, a total of 320,354 Pantawid families have also received their SAP assistance from the DSWD with a total amount of P1,489,646,100 as of May 25.