Iligan City not included in the second tranche of SAP — DSWD

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 9) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development said Iligan City was not included among the areas to receive the second tranche of the social amelioration program despite being placed under modified enhanced community quarantine on September 1.

Speaking at the Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, DSWD Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje said the city was not identified in Executive Order 112, which was issued in May 1, 2020

"Bagama't po nais din natin sana matulungan ang lungsod ng Iligan sa Lanao del Norte, ay hindi po sakop kasi ng second tranche yung lugar na ito," he said.

[Translation: While we would like to help Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, the area is not included in the second tranche.]

The areas named in the EO are the National Capital Region, Central Luzon (except Aurora province), CALABARZON, Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo, Cebu province, Bacolod City, and Davao City. 

Paje did say residents of Iligan could apply for other DSWD aid programs.

"Maari na lang po yung mga talagang nangangailangan dito ay mag-avail sila ng ibang programa ng DSWD katulad po ng assistance to individuals in crisis situation na maaari naman pong makatulong sa mga nangangailangan ng medical assistance, at burial assistance, educational assistance at yung mga iba pa pong mga pangangailangan nila," he said.

[Translation: Those who are truly in need can avail of other programs by the DSWD, like the assistance to individuals in crisis situation, which can help those who need medical assistance, burial assistance, educational assistance, and other needs.]

He said indigent senior citizens can also apply for the social pension program.

Paje added, "Ang ating DSWD Field Office 10 at DSWD Field Office 12 ay handang umalalay at magbigay ng resource augmentation base sa request ng pamahalaang lokal ng nasabing lugar."

Paje reported as of Tuesday, more than ₱82 billion has been given to 13.7 million beneficiaries, however there are still 400,000 recipients who have yet to receive SAP.

"Makakaasa po kayo na kayo po ay makakatanggap ng ayuda na ito dahil ang pondo naman ito ay nakalaan na at earmarked para sa inyo," he said.

[Translation: You can count on receiving this help because the fund has been allotted and earmarked for you.]

NTF COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez said Iligan City was put under MECQ to prevent COVID-19 cases from spreading to neighboring provinces and cities.

"Once hindi natin na-control ang Iligan, pwede pong mag-spread sa Lanao del Norte, at saka pwede din mag-spread sa Ozamiz, at saka pwede rin pong tamaan ang Cagayan de Oro," Galvez said on Tuesday. "Itong mga area na ito kailangang maprotektahan natin dahil mga economic hub po natin 'yan kagaya ng Cagayan de Oro."

[Translation: Once we can't control what's happening in Iligan, this can spread to Lanao del Norte. Ozamiz can also be hit along with Cagayan de Oro. These areas must be protected because these are economic hubs, like Cagayan de Oro.]