‘P1.3-billion SAP to pump-prime Bacolod economy’

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is upbeat that the P1.3 billion public fund infusion through the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the national government will pump-prime the local economy even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

After an initial release of P588.9 million for 98,143 families, a second tranche is now being distributed to all barangays.

“This is a tremendous help to our people at a time when our economy is feeling the effects of this health crisis and this will go a long, long way in helping needy families,” the mayor declared.

Leonardia, who heads the League of Cities of the Philippines and sits in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, thanked President Rodrigo Duterte who approved a second tranche release for Bacolod after the city had requested for an extension of its Enhanced General Community Quarantine status (from April 30 to May 15, 2020) last April 28.

The mayor also gives special credit to Malacañang Protocol Officer Jasmin Egan who helped justify to DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista that Bacolod needs this social amelioration assistance.

“Jasmin Egan is a true Bacolodnon. She is a city patriot and has contributed so much to help our needy,” Leonardia said.

Bacolod is one of the few cities that were given the SAP second tranche releases among the 146 cities nationwide.

The SAP, provided for under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, consists of two releases of P6,000 each over two months for qualified beneficiaries.
Records show the first tranche benefitted 98,143 residents who availed of a total of P588.9 million.

The second tranche, on the other hand, will benefit 97,266 Bacoleños.

A total of 188.5 million will go to the 15,713 who were listed as “left out” or those who did not avail of the first tranche. They will receive P12,000 per family which is equivalent to two (2) months.

The total releases for Bacolod will amount to about P1.3 billion.

Leonardia added that with more than 113,000 family-beneficiaries in the city, majority of the more than half a million residents would benefit from the government’s subsidy program.