Elderly man in Bacolod dies while waiting in line for SAP benefit

By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – An elderly man died while waiting to get his cash aid from the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in Barangay Tangub here on Friday.

Police identified the fatality as Gualberto Hurtado Sr., 84.

According to a police report, Hurtado was sitting on a chair inside the barangay gymnasium, waiting for his turn to receive his SAP benefit when he suddenly collapsed.

SAP grants are given by the government to identified beneficiaries affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Barangay Chairperson Noli Villarosa said Hurtado and other beneficiaries arrived at the gymnasium early in the morning to wait for their cash aid. He was among those allowed to go out of their residences because he had a SAP form.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead due to cardiac arrest.

The victim had no history of travel based on the statement of his family, police records showed.

Meanwhile, the barangay officials said that they will extend assistance to the victim’s family.