According to the Malacañang’s statement this Monday, the concerned agencies may now start in the distribution of the second (2nd) tranche of the government’s cash assistance program; particularly the Social Amelioration Program or the SAP to help out low-income families who are in a continuous battle against the infamous Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that they have issued the memorandum about the second tranche of the cash aid. In fact, it was done last Friday.
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Na-issue na po nung Biyernes yung memorandum ng Office of the Executive Secretary na puwede na pong ipamahagi yung second tranche ng SAP.”
In Translation: We have already issued the memorandum of the Office of the Executive Secretary, last Friday. This was about the approval of the distribution of the second tranche of the cash aid of the SAP.
Five Million Poor Families
The Presidential Spokesperson was pointing that the memorandum order is to include the additional 5 million poor families on the list of beneficiaries for the second tranche other than the 12 million recipients of the first tranche.
Puwede na pong ipamahagi yung second tranche ng SAP. So kasama na po dyan yung limang milyong bagong pangalan na bibigyan po ng ayuda at yung 12 million na dati nang nakakuha ng ayuda during the first batch.”
In Translation: The second tranche of the cash aid (SAP) can already be distributed to those who need it. This includes the 5 million new names and 12 million families who were able to get the cash aid during the first tranche.
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In simpler terms, the 5 million families will join the other 12 million households under the program of Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) which is the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation or AICS.
Totaling to 17 million low-income families will be able to take advantage of the cash assistance program in case the second phase of SAP; and this will be executed, as per Roque during a televised meeting.
What is the AICS?
AICS is one of the thirteen (13) social amelioration packages under the SAP whose main purpose is to provide its beneficiaries outright cash aid of either P3,000 or P5,000. In addition to that, a family member will receive burial assistance of P25,000 in the event the recipient dies and passes because of the effect of the Coronavirus disease.
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Originally, under the first tranche, the total number of low-income families was 18 million before the additional 5 million households. But now, they’re saying that a total of 17 million families are going to be given financial assistance.
On the other hand, since the funds are limited, the second tranche of the SAP was only limited to the families living under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as well as the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).
Financial Assistance from the DBM
Beforehand, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte directed Secretary Wendel Avisado of the Budget Department (DBM), as well as the Congress to support him in finding more funds in order to expand the number of poor families who would be under the second tranche of the SAP.
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Roque was hoping that the distribution of the SAP’s second tranche would be a lot faster after the launch of the automated disbursement of cash aid. Aside from that, the DSWD personnel will be assisted by both the police and the military in the distribution of the second tranche.
Ang pagkakaiba po, gagamitan natin ng electronic ways para magbayad sa ating mga kababayan at tutulong na po ang hukbong sandatahan sa pagdidistribute ng ayuda. Dapat po patuloy na po ang proseso, umuusad na, ang pagkakaiba po e gagamitan namin ng electronic ways para magbayad dun sa ating mga kababayan at tutulong na po ang hukbong sandatahan sa pagdi-distribute ng ayuda.”
In Translation: The difference is, we use electronic means to pay our people and help the armed forces distribute aid. The process should continue, the only difference now is we are using electronic ways to give cash aid to citizens and the Armed Forces will help distribute the assistance.
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He also said that since the names of the families have already been defined earlier during the first tranche, concerned agencies; so they would find it easier this time around.
What do you think about the release of the second tranche of the cash aid? Would it be a lot more helpful now? Or could it have been better if the distribution was planned out by the government?
Source/s: GMA Network | The Philippine Daily Inquirer
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