MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte approved the proposed P23 billion Supplemental Amelioration Program (SAP) or financial assistance for the 22.9M low-income beneficiaries last Monday.
This will cover NCR, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna (NCR Plus) bubble. The assistance will be given “in-kind” to help sustain and support those that are affected by the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) imposed to help curb the surge of cases.
“Iyong mga nadiskaril sa finances nila, na-ano kayo sa pera. Naghirap kayo kasi walang — hindi makalabas. Magdasal lang kayo. We will give you the ayuda. Ayuda is assistance, help,” the President said.
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado mentioned that the government will give out at least 1,000php worth of aid per individual but not more than 4,000php per unit/family.
“[It] will be released to the LGUs for distribution to affected individuals in kind…to ensure that food and other non-food requirements are adequately provided,” Avisado confirmed.
He also added that there will be no cash assistance and the LGU’s will be responsible for handling out the said program based on the President’s approval of 1,000php per person.
“So wala po tayong cash po dito po (We have no cash here). We will leave it to the local government units —dahil sila naman talaga ang first line of pinupuntahan ng mga tao — na sila po ang mag-allocate nito, base po doon sa approval ninyo na at least 1,000 pesos per person (because they’re the first place people go to— that they be the ones to allocate this, based on President’s) approval of at least P1,000 per person).”
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado
Reporting By: Ghelo Javier
Source: PTV News