At least 32 local government units (LGUs) in Region XII has successfully completed the distribution of the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in their respective areas before the deadline set by the National Government, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed.
Included in the list of LGUs that successfully completed the SAP payout were Tampakan and Norala of South Cotabato Province, Alamada, Aleosan, Antipas, Arakan, Banisilan, Libungan, M’lang, Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, and President Roxas of Cotabato Province, Bagumbayan, Columbio, Esperanza, Kalamansig, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, Palimbang, Senator Ninoy Aquino, and Tacurong City of Sultan Kudarat Province, and Alabel, Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, Maitum, Malapatan, and Malungon of Sarangani Province.
DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III was also pleased with the LGUs’ performance and encouraged other LGUs in the Region to fast-track the completion of their respective SAP payout.
Region XII was able to reach a total completion rate of 77.56% as of 9:00 PM of May 4, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya said. The whole country has an accomplishment rate of 75%.
The prompt payout of the SAP subsidy is an indication of the LGUs’ strong concern to their constituents, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said as he lauded the LGUs.
Some 796 other LGUs in the country were also able to complete their SAP distribution before the set deadline which include 56 LGUs from Cordillera Administrative Region, 38 from Ilocos Region, 31 from Cagayan Valley, 36 from Central Luzon, 63 from CALABARZON, 62 from MIMAROPA, 70 from the Bicol Region, 114 from Western Visayas, 52 from Central Visayas, 95 from Eastern Visayas, 71 from Zamboanga Peninsula, 17 from Northern Mindanao, 26 from Davao Region, and 65 from CARAGA, the DILG Central Office confirmed.
Meanwhile, LGUs who have yet to complete the SAP distribution were reminded to “double-time” as “one moment of delay or inaction means additional hours of suffering for poor families in your localities,” Sec. Año remarked.
SAP is the National Government’s emergency subsidy program that primarily targets poor families in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. LGUs were directed to complete the SAP payout on or before April 30. Provincial LGUs that failed to complete the SAP payout were given an extension of four days or until May 4 to complete the task while areas identified as “high risk” were given until May 7.
Año reminded beneficiaries to use the government’s financial subsidy to purchase food and other necessities. He further warned SAP beneficiaries who are caught spending the financial subsidy in gambling and drinking that they will be delisted and will be required to return the full amount, or will be sanctioned based on the severity of their offense.
