ILOILO City - The beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Western Visayas can now withdraw their Social Amelioration Program (SAP) grant.
"While the money is in their cash cards, we would like to remind the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya to observe social distancing and wear masks when they withdraw. Please do not compromise your health," said Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre of DSWD Field Office VI.
A total of 311,687 household beneficiaries are included in the first batch of release of SAP under the enactment of Republic Act 11469 (RA 11469) or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Each household grantee will receive an emergency subsidy of 4,650 per month for two months of April and May, a top-up on their cash grants for health (P750) and rice subsidy (P600), hence completing the P6,000 SAP package.
The amount that each household will receive is based on the prescribed emergency subsidy per region determined from the region’s minimum wage levels as these are close approximations to the amount needed to buy basic food, medicine, and hygiene essentials.
The 4Ps beneficiaries may withdraw it through their Euro Master Visa (EMV) cards or may use them at the grocery stores, supermarkets, and drugstores with Point of Sale (POS) terminal.
For those 4Ps beneficiaries who have yet to receive their EMV cards, they will wait for the advise from their City/ Municipal links on how to get their SAP.
Under the law, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is tasked to develop the guidelines and the lead of the SAP. The additional subsidies hope to help the most vulnerable sectors meet their basic needs most especially in accessing food and non-food items to combat the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
TESTIMONIES
Grace Dela Cruz of Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan was very happy when she received her 3,200 cash grants for the Period 6 (covers Dec. 2019-Jan. 2020) and SAP of 4,650. According to her, the amount is a big help for her family to buy their basic needs especially they are also affected by the enhanced community quarantine.
"I was surprised to find out that I have this much in my card. This is fast. Aside from buying our essentials, we will use the money in our farm to plant watermelon this summer," she said.
"On her part, Azel Esparagoza of Guiwanon, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras shares how grateful she is as the government has helped them in this time of crisis through the Social Amelioration Program.
"I will use this money for our food, vitamins, medicines, hygiene essentials, and prepare some of it for emergency during the lockdown," she added.
PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES
Director Macapobre has instructed Pantawid Pamilya staff in municipalities and cities to ensure that the beneficiaries are guided when they withdraw their SAP.
She has also given instructions that stringent social distancing should be observed and beneficiaries should wear masks to ensure that they are not infected by COVID19./dswd6
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