MABALACAT CITY — THE Department of Social Welfare and Development has clarified that it is the national government that has set principal guidelines in the distribution of funds under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) Bayanihan Fund: Tulong Laban sa COVID-19 for the indigents.
This was gleaned during a discussion held at the city government of Mabalacat hosted by Charlo Costales, Focal Person of Mabalacat City Resource Operation Center (MCROC) and DSWD 3 Regional Information Officer Reiner L. Grospe. The clarification was made as the city prepares for the distribution of the so-called Social Amelioration Cards (SAC).
According to Grospe, some 1.8 million households in Central Luzon region are considered to qualify for the SAP, based on economic status especially those considered as indigents or marginalized.
In Mabalacat City, there are 30,425 households in all its 27 barangays that prequalified for the SAP.
Grospe said the amount of SAP in Mabalacat is pegged at P6,500, the same amount for all qualified households in Region 3 based on the minimum wage rate in the area.
Grospe stressed the SAP is for households, and not for each family member.
He said target beneficiaries of the SAP are low-income families or those on subsistence economy or workers in the informal economy, and with members belonging to the vulnerable sector that are most affected in the crisis.
Grospe furthered within April or May, the SAP will be distributed in cash to qualified households.
In an earlier statement, DSWD stressed that the government wants to help all families affected by the crisis to receive the social amelioration programs but priority will be given to the poor and those at whose livelihood sources are at risk due to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).Last April 3, “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps) cash card holders were able to withdraw their emergency subsidies from the government.
On Monday, Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo and Costales met with barangay captains and discussed with them the guidelines set by the DSWD.