There is ”possibility” first tranche of SAP will be extended: Año

May 6, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday said there is a "possibility" the distribution of the first tranche of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) will be extended as  some local government units have yet to finish their distribution.

“Yes there is a possibility because what's the use of stopping it if there are other people who still not receive (the cash assistance),” Año said in a press conference in Taguig City.

Año said they will assess by Thursday how many were able to meet the deadline and check what are their reasons for failing to comply.

“(In) Metro Manila. there are still a lot of LGUs here that is having a hard time distributing without actually sacrificing the physical distancing, we will check,” Año said.

He admitted that Metro Manila has the biggest problem in terms of SAP distribution.

“Among the LGUs, NCR (National Capital Region) has the biggest problem because they also have a lot of family beneficiaries… but I’m confident a lot will be able to comply (with the deadline),” he said.

After the deadline, Año said he will check first the situation in areas who failed to meet the deadline of distribution before sending them a show cause order.

“I don’t want to just give show cause order without looking on the situation on the ground. Remember this is a team effort, it's a national government effort not only LGUs,” he said.

“So we will look on how we can help them while also helping the SAP beneficiaries and at the same time submitting the list of those who were not able to receive assistance because it is the commitment of our President (Rodrigo Duterte) to give cash assistance to those who were left out and we are going to do that,” he said.

“I will not give a particular means of sanction. As I said, we treat it on a case-to-case basis,” he said.

However, despite giving consideration, Año still warned local government officials who are violating the Bayanihan Act.

“I’m running after the officials who has double (names) on their list, separate their families or included them in the list and those who are splitting the cash assistance to keep it,” Año said.

“I think that is more important, for us to stop corruption and illegal activities,” he added.

For his part, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a separate briefing said he is hoping  more local government officials will be discouraged in committing anomalies.

Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said they are starting to investigate barangay officials in Bicol and Western Visayas who are allegedly wrongfully distributing SAP aside from the one reported in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

“This is a startup on the investigation. There will be more that's why I hope we could encourage the public to give the PNP the facts or probable witness based on the P30,000 (reward) offered by the President so we can investigate,” Gamboa said.

The PNP chief added he gave directives to all regional directors, national support unit commanders,including generals in Camp Crame.

“These are one of the reminders I gave to all my regional directors since it is a direct order from the President and I hope this will discourage those who are (doing anomalies),” he said.

“I hope this will be a lesson to all those who are distributing the SAP not to take advantage of their position,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS