DILG-7 to Check Irregular SAP Distribution

The Department of Interior and Local Government Central Visayas (DILG-7) will check all irregularities in the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). A legal team has been formed to handle complaints and verify reported anomalies among public officials.

“DILG Secretary Eduardo Año issued a directive to all DILG and police directors nationwide to verify complaints of irregularities in the handing out of the SAP cash aid in the barangays,” said DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trevola.

According to Trevola, 47 complaints were received by their agency with more than 50% logged in Cebu City with 28 total complaints. Cebu province has 9, Bohol has 6, Negros Oriental has 3 and Siquijor has 1.

8 cases were also elevated to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7).

Meanwhile, 12 verified complaints have been forwarded to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año and another 12 were referred to the regional office for validation.

In April this year, the first tranche of the SAP distribution was distributed in the barangay level to hasten the process of extending financial assistance to the most financially-handicapped households. Amid the distribution, however, numerous reports and complaints about anomalies were received by the said agency including the inclusion of barangay officials’ relatives, ineligible beneficiaries, and more.

The second tranche of SAP Distribution will now roll out in qualified areas and it will also exclude the participation of the barangays.

The Department of Social Welfare Development Central Visayas (DSWD-7) agreed to hire 50 Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs) to conduct the payout to qualified households. SDOs will also be accompanied by military personnel to provide security during the actual payout. (MLC)