Palace apologizes for delayed distribution of SAP2

Malacañang has apologized for the delay in the distribution of the second tranche of subsidy for low-income families and promised to hasten the process.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque explained the government is ironing out the digital payment scheme to ensure the effective distribution of the financial aid to the beneficiaries.

“Magpapaumanhin na po kami dahil talagang naantala dahil we are trying use technology to do this (We apologize because it has been delayed since we are trying to use technology to do this),” he said during a televised press briefing.

“Pero mas mabuti na ilatag itong technology para don sa susunod na ayuda kung mayroon man ay mas mapabilis na rin. Kumbaga one step backward, two steps forward ang ginagawa natin (It's better to lay down the technology so the implementation of next relief program, if there will be another, will be faster. We are taking one step backward, two steps forward),” he said.

Roque assured the qualified beneficiaries that the financial grants will be distributed soon.

“We're sorry but do not worry, it will come. The initial aid released in the second tranche covered most of the waitlisted families in the first tranche,” he said.

Under the second tranche, the government aims to give subsidies to 12 million beneficiaries after almost completing the first batch of the aid.

So far, 1.8 million families, mostly Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program beneficiaries, have reportedly received the second tranche.

In his report to Congress last month, the President identified several issues hounding the second tranche distribution such as slow uploading of beneficiaries’ information by local government units, limited state personnel, and other problems.