The Department of Social Welfare and Development, the lead implementer of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), said Thursday it is prepared in case lawmakers decide to forward the third batch of emergency subsidy to low-income families who were hard-hit by the public health crisis.

“Nakasalalay po sa ating mga mambabatas ang pagbibigay ng third tranche ng SAP. Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay tagapagpatupad lamang at nakahanda tayong gawin ang mga utos ng mga nakataas sa atin (It is up to our lawmakers whether we should have a third tranche for SAP. DSWD implements orders from our authorities),” Social Welfare Undersecretary Rene Glen Paje said in a conference.

Paje said as the primary government agency mandated to develop, implement, and coordinate social protection for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged, they are prepared to perform another round of SAP to its beneficiaries.

Earlier, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque tackled the possibility of SAP 3 following President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration to revert the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal from Aug. 4 to 18.

This move comes after medical groups called for a break noting the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in these areas.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, earlier shared that the House of Representatives will push for the inclusion of the SAP 3 in the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2.

He estimated that another 1.7 million workers could be displaced by the end of September due to the pandemic.

Some PHP21.4 billion would be needed to provide a one-month subsidy to 3.3 million households, or PHP27.3 billion for 4.2 million, he added.

In a Viber message to reporters, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said that if Congress “passes a law providing for a third tranche, then we will implement”. (PNA)