In a move to promote transparency, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started to post the list of the names of the beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) on the websites of its field offices (FOs).
DSWD FOs are currently preparing the list of the paid beneficiaries for posting on their websites, which the public may easily access through dswd.gov.ph.
The websites will feature the list of SAP beneficiaries in the provincial, municipal, and barangay levels. Search and filter functions have been added so the public can easily navigate the sites.
The Department’s FOs in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 7 (Central Visayas) have already posted on their websites the initial lists of SAP beneficiaries in their respective regions.
DSWD explained that it has been advocating for transparency in the implementation of SAP. Providing the public with access to the list of the beneficiaries will help ensure an orderly management of the funds provided for the program.
The publication of the list of the SAP beneficiaries will also allow the public to know who have received the assistance and scrutinize whether these beneficiaries are really qualified for the aid based on the eligibility criteria contained in the guidelines of the program.
The public may report to DSWD, through its Grievance Redress System (GRS), those whom they think are unqualified based on the list. The grievances related to the SAP implementation will be managed and monitored by the DSWD Central Office-Operations Center (OpCen) through its 24/7 hotlines: 16545, 0947-482-2864, 0916-247-1194 and 0932-933-3251.
The public may also send text messages to 0918-912-2813 and email at sapgrievances@dswd.gov.ph.
The OpCen shall receive complaints and ensure proper referencing and reporting to concerned office for validation and/or investigation. The concerned office is required to respond to the said report within twenty-four hours from receipt.
SAP, spearheaded by DSWD under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as On Act, provides emergency cash subsidy amounting to PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 to 18 million low-income families, based on regional minimum wage rate, assessed to be most affected by the imposition of community quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, given their existing life situations or circumstances. (PR)