Department of Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said Tuesday the AFP and PNP would distribute the second tranche of social amelioration program (SAP) instead of local government officials.
The official said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to transfer the distribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Meron na kaming initial coordination sa liderato ng AFP at saka PNP para makatulong sila sa pagbibigay ng ayuda, lalong lalo na sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” Bautista said in a televised briefing in Malacañang.
(We have initial coordination with the AFP and PNP on how they could help in disbursing of cash aid, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.)
Bautista added DSWS would utilize digital payment methods for the second tranche to avoid physical contact between the beneficiaries and authorities.
“Ine-expect natin na since merong mga remittance centers, may mga bangko, sa mga highy urbanized cities ay mapadali nating maibibgay ‘yung ayuda sa mga benepisyaryo,” he explained.
(We expect that since there are remittance centers, there are banks, in highly urbanized cities we can quickly provide the assistance to the beneficiaries.)
The government launched the “ReliefAgad” mobile application for a faster, contactless, efficient, and transparent SAP.
“Taking note of all the feedback gathered from the first tranche implementation of SAP, we are streamlining our processes and adopting more effective measures to achieve more efficient, organized and speedy SAP distribution,” Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said during the virtual launch of the “ReliefAgad” mobile app.
AFP, PNP to distribute second tranche of SAP
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said that 183 barangay officials are being investigated over alleged anomalies in SAP cash aid distribution.
Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are now investigating the complaints against the officials.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año added “that there are multiple complaints coming in directed to the same barangay officials leading to the piling up of accumulated reports’’.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier announced he would give a P30,000 reward to anyone who could provide verified information on local officials stealing cash aid for social amelioration program beneficiaries.