30 Mayors to explain failure to meet SAP distribution deadline

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked 30 local chief executives to explain their failure to meet the May 10 deadline for the distribution of cash aid through the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

“Nag-utos na po si Sec. Eduardo Año na maglabas ng show cause order sa hindi lalampas ng 30 mayors sa buong bansa, papaliwanagin sila bakit hindi nila nalabas or distribute ang SAP bago ang May 10 deadline (Sec. Eduardo Año issued a show cause order for 30 mayors to explain why they did not fully distribute SAP before May 10),” DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said.

Malaya added about 96 percent or nine out of ten mayors nationwide completed the SAP distribution as of 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Malacañang announced on Tuesday that there will be no second tranche of SAP distribution in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as they are already allowed to resume their work.

Malaya however clarified that SAP beneficiaries who belong to the so-called left out families of about 5.9 million will continue to receive financial assistance whether they are under GCQ or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) areas.

Malaya also said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the recommendations to allow local government chief executives to decide on barangay level lockdowns.

He added the IATF has acknowledged that mayors are more knowledgeable on the situation of their barangays.

He also said mayors must coordinate with their Department of Health (DOH) and regional IATF representatives before they decide on barangay lockdowns, and must base their decisions on science or data.