P1.3-B SAP to pump-prime local economy, mayor says

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Thursday that the P1.3-billion public fund infusion through the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the national government will pump-prime the local economy amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“After an initial release of P588.9 million for 98,143 families, a second tranche is now being distributed to all barangays,” Leonardia said.

Bacolod is one of the few cities that were entitled to the second round of SAP distribution.

“This is a tremendous help to our people at a time when our economy is feeling the effects of this health crisis and this will go a long, long way in helping needy families,” he added.

Leonardia, who heads  the League of Cities of the Philippines and sits in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte who approved the second tranche for Bacolod after the city requested for an extension of its Enhanced General Community Quarantine status (from April 30 to May 15, 2020) last April 28.

The mayor lauded Malacañang Protocol Officer Jasmin Egan who helped justify to DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista that Bacolod needs this social amelioration assistance.

“Jasmin Egan is a true Bacolodnon. She is a city patriot and has contributed so much to help our needy,” Leonardia said.

The SAP includes two releases of P6,000 to each beneficiary over two months.

Records show that the first tranche benefitted 98,143 residents who availed of a total of P588.9 million.

The second tranche, on the other hand, will benefit 97,266 Bacoleños.

A total of 188.5 million will go to 15,713 beneficiaries who were listed as “left out” or those who did not avail of the first tranche. They will receive P12,000 each.

The total releases for Bacolod will amount to about P1.3 billion.

Leonardia added that with more than 113,000 family-beneficiaries in the city, majority of the more than half a million residents would benefit from the government’s subsidy program.