The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started the payout for “waitlisted” families under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

Some 266 families from Kapangan, Benguet and 290 families from Baguio City received P5,500 each during pilot payout activities in the areas on June 16.

DSWD Undersecretary Jose Ernesto Gaviola, DSWD CAR Regional Director Leo Quintilla, and DSWD Spokesperson, OIC-Director Irene Dumlao attended the payouts.

“After our pilot payouts in Kapangan and Baguio City, as soon as we receive the certified list from the Central Office, we will proceed with the payout in other municipalities. We will closely coordinate with our partners the LGUs, AFP-PNP and DILG on the next schedules of release,” Director Quintilla said in the presser held after the payouts.

The Department, under the directive of the President, partnered with personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). They were tapped as additional paymasters and assisted in the SAP distribution. They also helped in ensuring the safety and security of beneficiaries and other frontline staff in the payouts.

Last week, DSWD started with the release of the 2nd tranche of SAP for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). A total of P6.7 Billion was released for the SAP of 1.3 million 4Ps beneficiaries with cash card.

In the following days, DSWD will continue to conduct payouts in other regions to be able to immediately finish the payout for the waitlisted SAP beneficiaries. ###