Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 2) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development has reported that 11,383 of around 5 million waitlisted beneficiaries have received assistance under the second wave of the government’s social amelioration program.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said in an online press briefing on Thursday that these families are from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Cordillera Administrative Region, with total value at P64.3 million.
In addition, he said that 1.3 billion cash card holders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps, have also received their subsidy.
Bautista said in total, P6.8 billion has been distributed to 1.4 million beneficiaries of the 2nd tranche of SAP. He added that they are expecting more to receive their assistance as DSWD rolls out digital payouts starting Friday.
The department started distribution of cash aid to waitlisted beneficiaries mid-June. This is in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to include 5 million more low-income families who were left out in the distribution while parts of the country were still under modified enhanced community quarantine.
Bautista said the first tranche of distribution is now technically completed as 98 perecent of beneficiaries already received assistance. However, it faced delays and corruption allegations.
Meanwhile, 396 Filipinos stranded in Sabah, Malaysia are expected to arrive on Saturday in Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga. DSWD said coordination is on-going with relevant agencies, while P39 million has been allocated to assist the citizens who are coming back.
The government created a task force that will facilitate the return of 5,300 Filipinos stranded in Sabah. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that trips will be done in batches of 400 persons, with 15-day interval in between travels.
