Press Release
April 7, 2021

Bong Go reiterates: 'fast-track SAP distribution, ensure aid will reach identified households in need'

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged concerned authorities to expedite the delivery of the Supplemental Amelioration Program to low-income families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and affected by the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine restrictions in National Capital Region Plus areas until Sunday, April 11.

"Dapat bilisan na natin ang pagbibigay ng ayuda, lalo na in-extend ang ECQ. Dapat maibaba na ito (sa tao), cash man o in kind. Balita ko, gusto ng local government units na in cash dahil mahirap mag-procure ngayon at mas lalong matatagalan. Kung pwede, cash na lang po para mapabilis," Go said in an interview given on Monday, April 5.

A total of 22.9 million low income Filipinos or 80% of the population residing in the NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal are set to benefit from the newly-approved assistance. Affected LGUs have been given the authority to decide if the aid will be given in cash or in kind. Qualified individuals will receive P1,000 in assistance with a maximum of P4,000 per household.

As early as March 23, the Senator issued an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, and other concerned national agencies to initiate another round of amelioration to address the rising cases of food insecurity in the wake of the pandemic.

"Sabi ko ano ba ang pwede natin ibigay sa mga kababayan nating ayuda. Kahit konti man lang pantawid lang natin. Nasa NCR bubble pa lang tayo, wala pang ECQ nun. Nagkataon last week nagka-ECQ buti na lang po inaprubahan," disclosed Go.

"Kinukulit ko araw-araw pati si Pangulong Duterte. Sabi ko, kailangan makabigay tayo ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin dahil pinilit natin sila ikulong sa bahay, kaya kailangan may makain ang mga ito, may pamilya ring binubuhay ang mga ito," he added.

President Duterte approved the Supplemental Amelioration Program on March 29. A total of around P23 billion was sourced from the balance of the Bureau of Treasury's certified sources under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, the validity of which was extended until June 30, 2021.

To ensure that the much-needed aid is received by millions of low-income Filipinos, the Senator further urged the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, and Interior and Local Government to work together and in coordination with the affected LGUs so that distribution is as seamless as possible.

"Kailangan i-supervise ng DSWD dahil sila ang nakakalam ng listahan [ng beneficiaries]. Alam na nila kung sino ang pamilya na talagang nangangailangan. Kailangan din mabantayan ng DILG ang pamimigay ng ayuda. Walang pili dapat, walang halong pulitika para mapabilis," stressed Go.

Go also appealed to the Department of Budget and Management that there should be no delay in the immediate release of funds to LGUs for the Supplemental Amelioration Program.

"May tiwala si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa LGUs na makarating [ang ayuda] sa pinakamahirap na kababayan. Dapat masigurong maayos ang implementasyon at maramdaman ang tulong," he continued.

"Walang pili dapat, walang halong pulitika. Ipinagkatiwala natin ang distribution sa LGUs para mapabilis. Pero dapat masigurong maayos ang implementasyon at maramdaman talaga ng mga nangangailangan ang tulong mula sa gobyerno. Salamat po sa mga LGUs sa inyong tulong rin po sa ating mga kababayan," he added.

Go stressed that saving the lives of Filipinos, which includes addressing hunger and poverty, is the primordial concern of the government.

"Ako naman, bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, ang prayoridad natin ay makapagligtas ng buhay ng mga Pilipino. Kaakibat dyan ang pagsigurong maiiwasan hindi lang ang sakit, kundi pati rin po ang gutom at kahirapan," he assured.

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