By Jennifer P. Rendon
Today, April 30, 2020, is the deadline for local government units (LGUs) for the complete distribution of the government subsidy under the social amelioration program (SAP).
But in Western Visayas, only 10 of the 133 LGUs have finished their SAP distribution as of noon of April 29.
Records from the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Region VI (DSWD-6) indicated that not a single LGU from Iloilo and Aklan has yet to accomplish the 100 percent payout.
The SAP is the national government’s assistance to families affected by the enhanced community quarantine against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Six of the 10 towns that completed their SAP payouts are in Antique province –
Belison, Bugasong, Culasi, Laua-an, San Remigio, and Valderrama.
Other towns are Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras; Sapi-an in Capiz; and Don
Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental.
DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre reminded LGUs on Wednesday to comply with the deadline set by the national government.
As of Wednesday, DSWD-6 said there are already 119 LGUs (89.47 percent) in the region that started the SAP payouts.
A total of 462,868 beneficiaries already received the P6,000 grant or a total of P2,777,208,000.
Macapobre also again cited LGUs who conduct door-to-door SAP distribution.
“This is an effective strategy to practice social distancing. But we also acknowledged that not all can do it,” she said.
For LGUs that could not distribute door-to-door, Macapobre said they could do it in small groups. All participants must wear masks and observe the 6-foot distance from each other during the payout. A washing area must be provided at the venue.
