Assistant Regional Director for Administration Evangeline Felecio said the agency had served 735,148 second tranche and waitlisted families as of October 9.

Of the number, 544,410 are second tranche beneficiaries from Iloilo province, Iloilo City and Bacolod City, in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2, S. of 2020.

These include the 440,802 non-Pantawid families and 103,608 Pantawid beneficiaries.

Non-Pantawid families received P6,000 SAP assistance while Pantawid beneficiaries received P4,650 a top-up to their regularly received rice and health subsidy amounting to P1,350.

For the second tranche alone, the agency was able to provide a total of P3,126,589,200.00 SAP assistance.

There were also 190,738 additional or waitlisted families who received first and second tranche SAP and provided total SAP assistance of P1,144,428,000.00.

A total of 146,686 received the first tranche, and another 44,052 received their second tranche. Each received P6,000 SAP assistance.

Felecio said that the second tranche and waitlisted families received their cash grants through direct payments and via digital payout.

“As we conclude the releasing of SAP second tranche cash grants, we want to continuously remind everyone to observe physical distancing and wear mask and face shields. We cannot compromise the health of our clients as well as our employees,” said Felecio.

Among the recipient of the P6,000 aid is Jennifer Fernandez, 44, from Barangay Ticud, Lapaz, Iloilo.

The family of Fernandez lost their source of livelihood due to the pandemic. Her family used to sell “ukay-ukay” or thrift clothes. However, because of the pandemic, they have to stop their operation.

Their only source of income now is her husband’s meager income, who works as a carpenter.

Fernandez thanked the agency for the SAP assistance she received via digital payment.

She used her money for her maintenance medication for her diabetes.

Meanwhile, apart from the SAP assistance, the agency also continues to provide assistance to Covid-affected areas.

“The DSWD continues to maintain its regular programs amidst the pandemic, and we continue to reach out to affected communities,” said Felecio.

As of October 5, the DSWD was able to provide 185,474 FFPs to different LGUs in the region.

The agency was also able to provide P5,019,935.90 worth of assistance to a total of 11,407 locally stranded individuals.

LSIs were provided with food packs, non-food items, meals, and cash assistance.#dswdfo6/kvb