By Charissa Luci-Atienza The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has "revised" its guidelines on the implementation of the government's of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to ensure that the low-income households in far-flung and geographically-isolated areas will immediately receive their emergency subsidies. Department of Social Welfare and Development (MANILA BULLETIN) During the "Laging Handa" network briefing, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista disclosed that they have relaxed the earlier requirement that the Social Ameloriation Card (SAC) forms should be first submitted by the Local Government Units (LGUs) before the P5,000 to P8,000 emergency subsidy can be granted. He said in case of island municipalities and cities, and geographically-isolated areas, there is no need to immediately submit the SAC forms before the funds will be transferred to the LGUs. "Nirevise na po namin ang guidelines hindi na po kailangan ang ibigay agad ang social amelioration card para itransfer ang pondo (We have revised the guidelines, no need to immediately submit the social amelioration card before the funds will be transferred)," Bautista told the briefing, hosted and facilitated by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar. In the same briefing, Deputy Speaker and Antique lone district Rep. Loren Legarda expressed concern that it would take months before the emergency aid would be granted to her constituents because some 94,000 SAC forms have to be filled up by target beneficiaries who live in mountainous and geographically-isolated areas. Bautista insisted that target beneficiaries should fill up the SAC forms for "validation" and to determine whether they are most qualified to receive the cash aid as provided under Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, which was signed by President Duterte last March 24. "Pagbinigay ang ayuda, dapat nafill up ng target beneficiary ang SAC...Ang danger po kasi pagbinigyan sya ng ayuda at walang basis, wala man lang record na nagsasaad na nabigyan sya ng ayuda, dun po tayo mahihirapan (Once the aid is given, the target beneficiary should fill up the SAC...The danger is once he is given the aid and there is no basis, not even a record disclosing that the aid was given to him, the problem lies there)," he explained. He said they have to comply with the Commission on Audit (COA) requirements on the proper and transparent disbursement of funds. Bautista said once the government decides to lift the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, the implementation of SAP will be stopped. "Based sa ating batas, pagnalift na ECQ kahit may natitira pang buwan, kailangan i-hold ang pagbigay ng isang buwan. Pag nalift ang ECQ mali-lift din ang SAP, pero huwag mabahala sa ngayon, ito pa naman ay pinaguusapan (Based on the law, once the ECQ is lifted even though there is remaining month, the distribution of one-month cash subsidy will be put on hold. Once the ECQ is lifted, the SAP will be lifted, but no need to worry, it is still being discussed now)," he said. The DSWD secretary said he personally thinks and feels that there will be extension of ECQ and that the P200 billion allotted for the SAP will be fully utilized. He clarified that the distribution of emergency subsidy will be "per household." RA 11469 mandates that each low-income household shall receive an emergency subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 per month for two months. He assured that even during Holy Week, the DSWD and its personnel will continue to work to ensure that the delivery of social amelioration benefits will not be disrupted. During the "Laging Handa" briefing aired on state-run PTV-4, Justin Batocabe, DSWD-National Household Targeting Office (NHTO) director, also confirmed that aside from Antique, other geographically-isolated areas will be given "leeway" to ensure that the government's amelioration benefits will urgently reach them. "We are allowing regional directors and LGUs some leeway, binibigyan sila ng flexibility (they are being given flexibility). We have our ears on the ground. We note of peculiar geographical circumstances. We do allow certain thingd on a case to case basis," he said. Batocabe also cited the crucial role of LGUs in identifying the target beneficiaries in their respective areas. "Time is of the essence. The LGU knows best. They are in best positon to point out who really needs this," he said. He also reiterated Bautista's pronouncement that the distribution of cash subsidy is "per family." During the briefing, Batocabe noted that it was the Department of Finance (DOF) that imposed the "regional quotas" on the distribution of the social amelioration benefits. He said based on the law, the DOF set the target of 18 million low-income households who would benefit from the SAP. Some LGUs earlier complained of the supposed quota system set by DSWD in distributing the emergency subsidy. Batocabe also warned erring local government units (LGUs) officials against selling SAC forms to their constituents, saying their acts will be dealt with by the full force of the law. "Nakakarinig po kami ng mga reports. Ang pinakaraniwan dyan ay iyong SAC ay binebenta nila. We remind our kababayan it is not for sale (We heard reports, the most common is the SAC is being sold. We remind our compatriots that it is not for sale)," he said. "Tandaan natin na ang RA 11469 ay may penal provisions. Isa dun ay ang erring LGUs. Panigurado po ako through DILG, once this crisis is over, yung mga opisyales na pampagulo ay kakasuhan natin (We should be reminded that RA 11469 has penal provisions, one of which is for erring LGUs. I am sure that through DILG, once this crisis is over, those erring LGU officials will face charges)," he added.