Palace expedites SAP 2nd tranche distribution with AFP, PNP help

The Presidential Palace announced that the distribution of the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) will be expedited with the assistance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that while the AFP and PNP will help, barangays will still play a role in the distribution because they know their constituents well.

Roque believes that the involvement of soldiers will significantly speed up the process of distributing the cash aid.

Local government units are reminded to first liquidate the first tranche of the SAP before the second tranche distribution can commence.

Individuals who were not included in the first SAP distribution are advised to coordinate with their barangay captain, with an option to appeal directly to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DSWD has already coordinated with the AFP and PNP to assist in distributing aid, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

The guidelines for the automated distribution of cash aid are expected to be released soon, with the DSWD also planning to utilize digital payments for faster and safer transactions.

The DSWD anticipates that using remittance centers and banks in highly urbanized and urban areas will facilitate easier distribution of SAP funds to beneficiaries.

President Duterte has directed Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado to scrutinize departmental budgets for potential realignments to fund the second SAP tranche, acknowledging government revenue shortfalls.