Rody transfers SAP distribution to AFP, PNP

The Duterte administration will no longer download aid funds to local government units (LGUs) and will instead tap state security forces to distribute the second tranche of assistance for sectors sidelined by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said state agencies are working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure that aid will reach farflung and isolated areas.

“Mr. President, with regard to your directive not to download funds to LGUs and to tap the AFP and PNP for the distribution of aid for the second tranche, we have made an initial coordination with the leadership of AFP and PNP so they can help in the distribution of assistance, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, island barangays and island municipalities,” Bautista, addressing President Duterte, said in a meeting of the government’s pandemic task force late Tuesday night.

The national government downloaded aid funds to LGUs during the first tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP), which aims to provide emergency subsidies to low-income households and workers affected by quarantine restrictions.

There have been complaints about the supposed misuse of SAP funds by local executives and the slow distribution of aid in some areas, prompting the government to assess the implementation of the program.

“I told you, do not taint the COVID programs with anomalies because many people need help. I won’t forgive you if you commit mistakes. So the law is the law is the law. A rule is a rule is a rule and... when you begin to mess up with the law, I guarantee you, you would really land in jail,” Duterte said.

“Everything is transparent, especially with the billions we are giving away. I assure you we will be able to account for it except those who were malversed by the officials down in the local governments. They have to answer for it. But otherwise, to the last centavo, we have given to the people,” he added.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the first tranche of SAP distribution is 97 percent complete, with the regions of Ilocos, Bicol, SOCCSKSARGEN and Caraga the earliest to finish the giving of aid.

Año added that anomalies have been monitored in the implementation of the program, which sought to help at least 18 million households.

A total of 183 barangay officials are being investigated by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, while 48 mayors were asked to explain why they failed to meet the deadline on the aid distribution or why their accomplishment rate was below 80 percent.

Año said 12 cases have been filed over alleged irregularities in the aid distribution, four are about to be filed and 58 are still being handled by authorities. Two persons have also been arrested and jailed.

“We have ordered LGUs to post the names of those who received assistance for transparency. We have also received reports that some beneficiaries were given aid twice and we want their names posted as well,” he said.

Local governments have also been directed to submit the names of individuals left out during the first tranche of SAP.

The government aims to assist about five million households who did not receive monetary aid during the initial phase of the program.

Bautista said the government would also tap digital payments in highly urbanized areas to minimize contact with beneficiaries.

“Since we already have remittance centers, banks in highly urbanized cities, the distribution of assistance to beneficiaries would be easier,” the social welfare chief said.

He added that the military already has a model for the giving of aid to SAP beneficiaries.