Worried about possible social upheavals because many families are left out in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo has thought of implementing a balancing act with his own version of an “equalization fund”.

The assistance is not cash but in kind, according to Remollo, who had initially intimated this idea to members of the city council in their meeting Tuesday in the presence of the city’s finance managers.

Remollo foresees complaints among those who would not receive the SAP.

The “equalization fund” is designed so there will be no families left behind during the crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, he said.

Initially, Remollo is toying with the idea of giving one sack of rice for non-SAP beneficiaries.

The mayor said it is best to extend the equalization fund in kind because he is sure the entire family will be able to benefit from it.

Meanwhile, tricycle drivers and other sectoral organizations who will avail of the amelioration fund will no longer be entitled to the PHP2,500 financial assistance from the city government.

The city council had earlier appropriated funds for this purpose.

This was clarified to prevent duplication of funds extended to the sector, while the DSWD and the Department of Labor (DOLE) are comparing notes through a data-sharing scheme to prevent the listing of beneficiaries on both ends. (PNA)