Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7899

Introduced by: REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Undoubtedly, one of the most effective forms of assistance by the
Government to low-income families/households during the COVID-19
pandemic period is the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).

‘The SAP under Bayanihan 1 came in two tranches. The first tranche in
the amount of Ninety-Nine Billion Nine Hundred Thirty-Three Million Seven
Hundred Eighteen Pesos (P99,933,338,718.00) for the month of March but
distributed in April. The second tranche in the amount of Eighty-Three Billion
Three Hundred Million Twenty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Three
Pesos (P83,300,028,863.00) for the month of April distributed in May.

Under Bayanihan 2, only P6 billion was allocated to finance DSWD
projects but not specifically as SAP. Moreover, it is sad to note that there is
none again in the proposed General Appropriations Act FY 2021. Hence, this
Bill to institutionalize the SAP and thus ensure there will be allocations in at
least four equal quarterly tranches in a year.

Real need

The real need is twelve (12) equal monthly tranches or Thirty-Three
Billion Three Hundred Eleven Million One Hundred Twelve Thousand Nine
Hundred Six Pesos(P33,311,112,906) per month or a total of Three Hundred
Ninety-Nine Billion Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Million Three Hundred Fifty-
Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Two Pesos (P399,733,354,872) in a
year, but that is not feasible at this time due to financial constraints.


However, there is a provision in this Bill for the increase of the four
(4) quarterly tranches to twelve (12) monthly tranches in a year when funds
are available therefor as certified by the Secretary of the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), without the need of an amendment by
another legislative measure.

Epidemic or none

The monthly cash subsidy will be in the amount of P6,588 per family,
which is the average amount of monthly help received from the government.
‘This amount is hardly enough to survive on, considering that the amount of
P6,588 monthly, divided by 30 days, is P219.60 daily and divided by 3
meals a day is P73.20 and further divided among five members of the family
is only P14.64 per meal per family member.

Thus this measure seeks to institutionalize the SAP in at least four (4)
equal quarterly tranches in the amount of Ninety-Nine Billion Nine Hundred
Thirty-Three Million Three Hundred Thirty-Eight Thousand Seven Hundred
Eighteen Pesos (P99,933,338,718.00) per tranche for a total amount of
Three Hundred Ninety-Nine Billion Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Million
Three Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Two Pesos
(P399,733,354,872.00) for the year, using the amount of the first tranche
under Bayanihan 1 as the basis for the amount of each tranche in this
measure. This is vitally needed even during “normal times” and does not
depend on a public health crisis, such as the current coronavirus pandemic,
or a disaster such as typhoon, flood or earthquake.

Approval of this measure is earnestly requested.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 7893

Introduced by REP. RAUL V. DEL MAR

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE SOCIAL AMELIORATION PROGRAM (SAP) IN
AT LEAST FOUR QUARTERLY TRANCHES PER ANNUM,
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Social
Amelioration Program Act of 2020”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The state shall promote a just and
dynamic social order thereby uplifting its citizens and marginalized sectors
from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote
full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life
for all.

It is likewise vital that the State complies with its international
obligations to end poverty in all it forms, ensure and promote the health and
well-being of all.

SEC. 3. Beneficiaries. — The beneficiaries of this Act shall be low-
income households or those in subsistence or workers in the informal
economy, assessed to be most affected by the declaration given their existing


life situations or circumstances. Families whose total combined income does
not exceed P6,588.00 per month except those who are already listed as 4Ps
beneficiaries, senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents who
are already availing the Department of Social Welfare and Development's
(DSWD) other program for their respective circumstances.

Those who are within the existing database of the DSWD whose
combined income shall not exceed P6,588.00 a month upon the approval of
this act will be qualified to avail of this program.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall One Hundred Billion Pesos
(P100,000,000,000.00) to be included in the budget of DSWD. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) of
DSWD following the year of its approval.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - To ensure
compliance, the DSWD, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG}, in consultation
with the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
Committee on Finance of the Senate, shall promulgate rules and regulations
to carry out the provision of this Act within six (6) months of its effectivity.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - |f, for any reasons, any section or
provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections

or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC, 7, Effectivity. - This Act shall take after fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.