The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be conducting a learning exchange visit for partner government agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on June 19-21, 2019.

The activity aims to provide a wider, deeper understanding and better appreciation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. It also aims to clarify issues about the program and develop recommendations in enhancing the policies of 4Ps in the Region.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the activity will also serve as a venue for the beneficiaries to express their thoughts, experiences on how they are able to benefit from the services provided to them, how their living improved through the convergence efforts of the programs and services both internal and external partners.

A total of 50 participants from CSOs and government agencies including DSWD 4Ps staff will attend the said activity.

The learning exchange will be a two-day visit in Ligao City in the barangays of Tuburan, Cabarian, Santa Cruz, Catburawan and Maonon.

Regional Program Coordinator, Priscilla C. Saladaga said the partners will visit rural health stations and secondary schools of the said barangays.

Also, the partners will interview 4Ps beneficiaries, local officials, and government partners who directly provide assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries.

She added that Ligao City was identified due to its notable active performance along the implementation of programs of DSWD and received the highest number of social services last 2018.***GANLindio

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To ensure that the children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol will enroll this opening of classes, said program sets a massive campaign dubbed as “Bata Balik Eskwela” in all of its covered municipalities and cities.

The Bata Balik Eskwela (BBE) campaign aims to encourage the children to return to school and continue their education so that they can fully maximize the benefits provided by 4Ps. Also, it aims to teach and inculcate to the children the value of education.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II the target participants of the campaign are the children who are facing difficulties in continuing their studies

Among the identified reasons for not attending school are: there are significant numbers who are working in various sectors of economy to augment family’s income; children who were engaged in early marriage and got pregnant at an early age and children who are very sickly.

According to Dir. Garcia, the challenges identified which these children are facing are also addresses by the BBE Campaign.

Included in the BBE campaign are the current activities of 4Ps such as Youth and Family Development Sessions that are designed to develop a positive mind-set among the youth and parents and distribution of information materials.

Also, various interventions such as case management are administered by the program implementers in order to help these children or the whole family addressed their problems and in turn be able to make them realize the importance of sending back their children to school.

Dir. Garcia added that under the BBE, children beneficiaries will be equipped with necessary life skills so that they will realize their full potentials and decrease deterrents to their development with the end goal of enabling them to contribute meaningfully to improving the condition of their families.

Under BBE, the Parents are also asked for their commitment along providing guidance to their children, support along finances in school and active participation along conduct of community and school activities such as brigada eskwela.

The BBE is in partnership with other government agencies such as Department of Education and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

At present a total of 9,940 4Ps children continue their education and about 19,000 children were provided with interventions through case management.***GANLindio-IO4Ps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) lauded the signing into law of Republic Act 11310 institutionalizing the government’s flagship poverty reduction program known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

4Ps is an investment in human capital which seeks to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by focusing on education and health of the beneficiaries. It provides conditional cash transfer to poor households around the country, It is being implemented by DSWD, in partnership with other government agencies, such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), among others.

DSWD emphasized that the signing of the law is the realization of the long time clamor of beneficiaries to make the program regular and permanent.  It can be recalled that beneficiaries have continuously expressed apprehensions that the benefits they are receiving from 4Ps might be stopped if the program will not be institutionalized.  It is also important to mention that they played a role in achieving this feat by lobbying for the institutionalization of the program.

The Department added that with RA 11310, the continuity and sustainability of the program can be assured. The law makes the program more robust by prioritizing farmers and fisher folks, strengthening livelihood and employment opportunities for beneficiaries, ensuring civil society organizations’ seats in the advising councils, and providing automatic coverage to Philhealth.

The Department also stated that the law will further boost its goal of helping poor families achieve a better quality of life, thereby, contributing to the reduction of poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022, as set by the present administration.

4Ps milestones

Since its inception in 2008, 4Ps has achieved several milestones in the areas of poverty reduction, health, and education.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in its launch of the 2015 Official Poverty Statistics said, “One of the major factors in this improvement of poverty reduction is the increased budget in government’s social development programs, which significantly augmented the income of the poorest households… The regularity of the cash transfer sustained for three years for many CCT beneficiaries has accorded them some resiliency to weather certain shocks.  The program also induced more economic activity in the poor barangays given the presence of a cash economy.  These conditions may have also encouraged a number of them to diversify their livelihood sources.”

Moreover, in its 2017 Socio-Economic Report, NEDA stated that, “By far, the most comprehensive program to address […] vulnerability is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).  This program needs to be sustained and even enhanced.”

Furthermore, the World Bank in its 2018 assessment of poverty in the Philippines (Making Growth Work for the Poor) reported that “transfers from government social programs [CCT] contributed about 25 percent of the [reduction in poverty incidence between 2006 and 2015.”]

Likewise, impact evaluations on the program done and completed in 2012 and 2014 showed that the program can break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, helping poor families escape the poverty trap of being poor because they have no decent jobs or undereducated and sickly.

Based on the two impact studies, the program had positive effects on education and health of children and pregnant women.

The studies showed that program beneficiaries have higher enrolment and attendance rates and lower drop-outs as compared to non-beneficiaries.

As regards health, children-beneficiaries have increased availment of basic health services and reduced severe stunting especially to children from 6 months to 3 years old.

The impact studies also showed that more pregnant women availed of maternal health services and an increased delivery in accredited birthing facilities, as compared to those who are not covered by the program.

Meanwhile, since 2015, the program has paved the way for almost 1 million children-beneficiaries to compete high school and more than 30,000 to graduate from college.

As of March 31, 2019, the program covers 41,552 barangays in all 145 cities and 1,483 municipalities in 80 provinces nationwide with 4.18 million active households.***Social Marketing Service

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Unlike any other students who have their parents support during college years, Joseph Tobias, 24, has to work on his own having left by his parents at an early age.

Joseph and eight of his siblings were left by their parents at an early age. He was 16 years old when his father died due to heart attack and two years after his mother died due to congestive heart failure.

Four of his elder siblings were forced to stop education to work. While Joseph committed a promise to finish until college.

“Sabi ko ayoko mahinto sa pag-aaral, humingi ako ng tulong sa mga kapatid ko. Sinabi ko sakanila na pag-nakapagtapos ako, sila naman ang papag-aralin ko, [I told them I do not want to stop my studies, I asked help from them and told them that after I finished college I will send them to school],” he said.

During high school until college years, it was through the remittances of his elder siblings that he was able to finance his studies and through vending “kakanin” native foods made by his eldest sister–Ma. Josalie, 30.

According to him, there was a time that it was close to impossible that he would graduate in college.

“Mahirap na walang magulang na masasandalan. Ako kasama ng mga maliliit ko na kapatid ay kailangan na gumising ng 4:00AM para magbenta ng kakanin at sinisikap namin maubos iyon para makatulong sa kapatid ko, para may makain kami at makapasok sa paaralan, [It was hard for us having no parents that we could lean on to. I and my younger siblings have to wake up as early as 4:00AM to sell kakanin to our neighbors. Oftentimes, we came late in school because we wanted to sell as much as we can to help my sister earn for us to have food on the table, and be able to go to school],” he said.

However, after a year in college, Joseph has to stop and work as a security guard in Metro Manila to support his younger siblings education and be able to save money to continue his college studies.

“Yung sahod ng mga kapatid ko ay kaunti lang. Tama lang sa pagbili ng pagkain, tuition fee ng mga kapatid ko sa elementary at high school at sa school projects nila. Gusto ko silang tulungan kaya yung sahod ko napupunta sa kanila at nagtatabi lang ako sa pangaraw-araw ko na gastos, [My siblings income were very minimal. It is only sufficient to buy our food, tuition fee of my younger siblings in high school and elementary and school projects. I wanted to help them so all of my salary were sent to them and I only save a few for my daily expenses],” he stated.

But, his hopes of earning a degree still remained. Joseph save his last earning and went back to his hometown in Barangay Comagaycay, San Andres, Catanduanes. He continued his studies in Catanduanes State University with a course of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

To continue and be able to finance his education, he was helped by one of the faculty members providing him a small sleeping quarter in school to save money from commuting from home. He also asked for a part-time job as a janitor where he used to wake up 4:00 AM to clean the school’s comfort rooms, hallways, and classrooms.

“Yung panahon na iyon, masasabi ko na maswerte ako at may mga tumutulong sa akin, [That time, I can say I am still lucky that people helped me],” he said.

It was not an easy road for Joseph having to work before going to class, and thinking where to get money for his school projects.  Until, on his third year, he was lucky to become a grantee of Expanded Student Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) being implemented by Commission on Higher Education in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Under the program, a student-grantee is entitled to a maximum grant of P60,000 per school year or P30,000 per semester for tuition and other school fees, textbooks or other learning materials, and stipend.

He said, being a grantee gave him strength and hope to pursue and get the degree he wanted. “Sobrang nakatulong iyon sa aming pamilya. Ang ginawa ko, nagtatabi ako para mabigyan ng pangklase mga kapatid ko. Tapos ang tuition fee ko secure na. Nung nagthesis ako malaki ang naitulong sa akin, [It’s a huge help to my family. What I did, I allocate some for the studies of my siblings. My tuition fee was secured. When we are doing our thesis, it is a big help],” he said.

According to Joseph, when he finally made it through the graduation, he could not stop crying because all that he had gone through was all worth it. He graduated with Academic Distinction and the degree he dreamt off.”Umiiyak pa rin ako hanggang ngayon pagna-aalala ko nung nasa stage ako para kunin ang diploma ko. Ang diploma ko ay para sa mga kapatid ko na nariyan para sa akin, sa mga magulang ko at sa lahat ng tumulong sa aming pamilya, [I am still crying until now every time I recalled the moment I was in the stage to get my diploma. My diploma is for my siblings who have been there for me, for my parents and to everyone who lends help to our family],” he said in teary eyes.

At present, Joseph is currently employed as a faculty teacher in the same school, working and earning to support his siblings.

He is also fulfilling his promise to his siblings providing support for their college education and the rest to continue to enter school.

“Ako ang unang nagkakapagtapos sa pamilya o sa aming clan. Pangarap namin na magkakapatid na makapagtapos kami lahat at balang araw ay ma-aabot namin ang pangarap ng aming mga magulang–na makapagtapos kami, may magandang trabaho, magkaroon ng maganda at masayang pamilya, [I am the first to graduate in college in our family or in our clan. We all dreamt to finish our education and in the future and be able to achieve the dream of our parents–to finish our education, to have a good job and to have a beautiful and happy family],” he said.

He also left a message to people who are going through the same situation as

him saying that “If we were able to make it, surely you can as well. As my parents usually said to us, those people who have a good education are those who have a better future].”***GLindio,4Ps-Information Officer

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Sixteen senior government officials from Bangladesh came in Bicol Region for a two-day study visit (May 1 -2) to learn about the experiences of the community, the good practices implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V.

The study visit was led by the daughter of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of National Advisory Committee of Autism and Neurodevelopment Saima W. Hossain.

Other delegates are Director General, Additional Secretary of Department of Women Affairs (DWA) Badrun Nessa, Additional Secretary, Health Service Division Habibur Rahman Khan, Additional Secretary Anwar Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh National Nutrition Council Mohammad Sha Nawaz, Head of World Food Program-Bangladesh Rezaul Karim, Chief Operating Officer of Shuchana Foundation Malka Shamrose, Programme Director of Maternity Allowance Programme A J M Rezaul Alam Bin Ansar, Secretary of Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Kamrun Nahar, Director of Maternal Neonatal Child Reproductive Health Care Mohammad Sharif, Additional Secretary Md Aynul Kabir, Additional Secretary Cabinet Division Shahan Ara Banu, Deputy Chief Shakil Akhter, Addtional Secretary of Finance Division of Ministry of Finance Habibur Rahman, Programme and Policy Officer of World Food Program of Bangladesh Masing Newar and Mamunur Rashid.

Also present are DSWD Undersecretary Camilo Gudmalin, Deputy Program Manager for Operations Irene Dumlao, Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, and other DSWD field staff.

According to Hossain, she aimed at knowing the challenges faced by the Program and how it has been addressed and the good practices being implemented. “Through this visit, I would like to understand the programs and services being implemented for the poor families including the persons with disabilities who are vulnerable and marginalized. What are the things they are needed for support to come up with strategies, focused ideas and solutions that could be implemented in our country,” she said.

Rezaul Karim, head of the United Nations World Food Program- Bangladesh expressed his immense gratitude to DSWD Bicol for hosting the activity. He said that the visit would be an excellent opportunity to get detailed information and discover the good practices being implemented by the Region.

Also, H.E. Asad Alam Siam, Ambassador to the Philippines, Bangladesh Embassy mentioned that they would like to learn from the successful implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Bicol that can be useful for common future projects and future cooperation.

Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia said he aims the delegates to deepen their understanding of the programs and services extended by DSWD, share and exchange information and expertise that are beneficial to both countries to effectively deliver its services to those who are in need and establish linkages and network.

During the visit, Mr. Mohammad Aynul Kabir, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs gave an overview of the profile and primary front line services being implemented in their country.

After which, Assistant Regional Director Arwin Razo shared the latest accomplishments of 4Ps along with the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Listahanan.

He further discussed the effective strategies being applied on how the Region was able to attain more than its target and shared its best practices.

Citing of which are the conduct of Youth Development Session to selected beneficiaries that are not compliant to the conditions of the Program and the reporting, analysis and lobbying strategies to supply the gaps along the implementation of 4Ps. As to the disaster response, are the conduct of training along camp coordination and camp management for other agencies, cash for work during Mayon Phreatic explosion and deployment of Satellite communication during disaster and other best practices.

Moreover, Marilyn C. Valeza, Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian of National Nutrition Council presented their major programs and good practices and Mr. Cedric Daep of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office presented the Disaster Risk Reduction Application supporting sustainable development.

Municipal Mayor Ann Gemma Y. Ongjoco, presented the profile of the Municipality of Guinobatan, and the best practices implemented by the local government in support to the implementation of 4Ps.

The Municipality of Guinobatan was selected as the area to be visited by the Bangladesh delegates on its second day to have the opportunity to encounter with the community residents.

The delegates are scheduled to visit Guinobatan West Evacuation Center, Maguiron and Muladbucad Grande Health Centers and the communal garden in Barangay Calzada Guinobatan, Albay.

Also, they will have an opportunity to witness the conduct of Family Development Session and the showcase of livelihood products of beneficiaries of SLP.***G.Lindio,IO-II

 

 

 

 

 

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How great my joy is that all of our sleepless nights have now paid off after years of hardship today we are finally done, and at least we can now repay the sacrifices of the people behind our success.

After I learned about the news that I was qualified as the Magna Cum Laude of the 2O19 graduating class, a lot of people congratulated me and said good things about me like “Ang talino mo naman,” “Ang galling mo naman.” They even told me that I am almost perfect. There was one who asked, “ how to be you po?” How to be me? I am just an ordinary person, an ordinary student just like the rest of the Asteans. But thenI took the question seriously, how am I different from the rest? What did it take me to have been given this honor? Then these:

First, I am a listener. I listen to my teachers all the time. I see to it that I don’t to do what they require me to do. I study, I recite, I prepare my projects well and see to it that I always give extra effort in preparing all my requirements.

Second, I choose my friends well. I see to it that I am in the company of good friends whom I can rely on especially in trying moments of my student life. They are the friends who always lift me when I’m down, friends who I consider to be my family away from home.

Third, I always consider my family as my inspiration. My father is A PEDICAB DRIVER and my mother is a simple housewife. I always tell myself that I have to do my best because my parents are doing everything they can to make my school life lighter to bear. My father wakes up early in the morning to work until midnight, and my mother wakes up early too to prepare the things that I and my siblings needed for school. We may not have the luxuries that others have but we have all the love that we may ever need. We may not have a beautiful house, but we have a home that bound with happiness. The love of my family keeps me going. It is that love that inspires me to always do my best.

Fourth, I trust God. I fully entrust myself to Him. When I am weak, he becomes my strength; when I am in darkness, he provides the light; and when there are hindrances, He always clears the way. I am grateful for all my achievements but I keep myself humble because I acknowledge that I did not achieve them with my own strength but with the help of God. I am grateful for the honor that is given to me today but I am most honored knowing that I have done my best for His glory.

Lastly, I always do my best. I know that I am not the most intelligent but that fact makes me strive to do the best that I can. I believe that it is not just the intelligence that will make a person succeed but it is the way he understands and handles things the right way. I do my best not to impress others, but doing my best has already become a part of me. It has already become my way of life.

How to be me? I am unique and you too are unique individuals. But I tell you, In order to achieve the things that we dream of, we have to humble ourselves and to recognize our need for our family, for our friends and for God.

I will not be where I am now without my mentors, especially TLE instructors who patiently shared their knowledge and skills with us, and who did not tire of cheering, pushing and believing that we can always do better. Thank you for always protecting and reminding us not to belittle ourselves because there are a lot of things that we alone can do best. Thank you for always reminding us that we are greater than what others think we are.

To the College President, Sir Richard H. Cordial, Sir if you can still remember me, I was the student you talked to at the office of the SDS. You chose me to be the first one to use the computer for survey purposes. At that time I felt grateful for the opportunity to be with the College President. But what‘s more amazing is that I saw how you love and care for the students. I think I even saw tears in your eyes while you were talking about your dream for the Asteans. I deeply admire you and thank you Sir for your commitment, for your fatherly concern and for being our inspiration. We are proud Asteans because of you.

To my classmates and friends who shared with me the four fruitful, happy and challenging years in BISCAST, thank you. The challenges and difficult situations during our journey has become easier to face because of you. Rica Pacis, what you said was right I would never have made it here today if not because of our friends. My best friend Louila, thank you for your love and care ; my study group and research group thank you for the moments you shared with me and for always helping me ;Meco, thank you for your encouragement and for making everything lighter for me; my classmates, thank you for your support and love  and for the happiness we shared together. All of you make me proud to be a TLE major student.

To my Tito’s and Tita’s thank you for helping me financially. To my family, thank you for your unending love, understanding, effort and sacrifices for me. Maybe we cannot buy the things we want, we may not have a concrete house, and we may not have all of the beautiful things in the world but, you have provided me the most important things that everyone needs-love, happiness and respect.

To my mother “Mama,” thank you for taking care of me and for the love and support that you have always given me. To my father who is my first love and my hero, Papa thank you for your immeasurable sacrifices. Being a pedicab driver for so many years is not easy but I know that it is your love for us that gives you strength.

Honestly, there have been times that I felt very tired, incompetent, pressured, depressed and weak. These have been the times that the idea of not studying anymore and not pushing hard enough crossed my mind. And in those times of weakness, I always see a father –waiting for me at the pedicab terminal smiling despite his tiredness; calling me and telling me, “uwi na tayo anak para sabay na tayo kumain.” Every time I think of quitting, I would see my father and I would feel guilty and even get mad at myself. Here is my father who for the longest time had been very tired of driving his pedicab but he never complained. He never stopped driving his pedicab. He never stopped my life from going I know that he is already tired and weak but he pretends to be okay so that he could provide us with the strength that we need.

Papa “salamat po sa ilang milyong pedal ng padyak na ginawa mo para sa amin, salamat po dahil hindi ka tumigil, natakot, nahiya at napagod magtrabaho para sa amin at salamat sa pagmamahal at suportang nabinigay mo sa akin. Sobrang  ipinagmamalaki ko na kayo ang naging pamilya ko at ikaw papa ang ama ko.” Never in my life that I felt ashamed because of my family’s situation because I am proud that my father is a pedicab driver.

As stated in my favorite scripture verse,” Yea I know I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God for his strength, I can do all things.” All glory to God in the highest! He made us this far. I experience so many miracles while I’m studying and I know that behind those miracles is Heavenly Father.

Finally, even though we have all the inspiration and people around us, we can never succeed if we do not first help ourselves. Ultimately, our success depends on us.  My fellow graduates, we are always faced with difficulties but we need to continue and believe that after every sunset is always the sunrise. Let us continue to believe in ourselves even if others do not. Let us make ourselves better because it is in doing so that we can glorify God.

My fellow graduates, parents and sa lahat ng nakakarinig sa akin, let us be courageous to face the world and do our best to meet the expectations of others, pero kapag ginawa natin ang lahat at hindi pa rin tayo tanggap ng ibang tao, cheer up! for there is someone mightier than them, there is someone mightier than the world and it is the Heavenly Father. I know if we will do our best in everything and choose and do what is right in all times, I know we will make Him happy. We will make him proud. And, for me that is the most important thing that I will always consider.

How great this day is! And how blessed we are! Boast not of ourselves but boast on the persons behind our success!

Thank you and congratulations to all of us!

 

SANDRA ESTEFANI RAMOS

Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology

Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Technology and Livelihood Education

Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiary

Barangay Bell, Magarao, Camarines Sur

Graduated April 2, 2O19

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In line with the Women’s Month Celebration with the theme: “We Make Change Work for Women,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V recently held an Advocacy Forum on Women and Child Protective Laws and Mobile Photography Contest at La Roca, Legazpi City.

A total of 75 participants from the members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (Kalipi), staff from the Municipal and City Social Welfare offices of Daraga and Legazpi attended the advocacy forum while students from Cabangan High School, Gogon High School, Oro Site High School and Pag-Asa National High School participated the Mobile Photography Contest.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the activity aims to give due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in the society. He also made emphasis on the rights and welfare of women and girls to the participants.

During the activity, series of forum was held about the Republic Act No. 9710 “Magna Carta for Women” by Atty. Arlene Alangco, regional director of Commission on Human Rights Regional Office V, Republic Act No. 7877 “Anti Sexual Harassment Act” by Atty. Joyce O. Guerero, assistant regional prosecutor of Department of Justice (DOJ) Regional Office V and Online Sexual Abuse by Project Development Officer III Laisa Maoren Desolo.

Meanwhile, eight photo entries were submitted and captured on the same day, showcasing the daily activities of women and in the workforce. Entries were adjudged by Atty. Joyce O. Guerero, Atty. Arlene Alangco, Dr. Rafaelita O. Lucena of Department of Science and Technology.

Criteria for Judging are; Thematic relavance:25 percent; Composition:25 percent; Photographic quality:25 percent and Visual Impact: 25 percent.

Winners of the Mobile Photography Contest are Champion: Jericho R. Licup of Cabangan High School; First Runner-up: Justin Martin L. Olarte of Cabangan High School and Second Runner-up: Zandra E. Arena of Gogon High School. Certificates and Cash prizes were given to the winners amounting to P5,000, P3,000; P2,000, respectively.***G.Lindio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENTRIES MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) announced that there is a delay release of cash grants to its beneficiaries.

This is because the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) has yet to secure the permission from the Commission on Election (COMELEC) to procure conduits during election ban. Conduits are responsible for the conduct of over the counter 4Ps pay-out.

According to DSWD Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the delay of cash grants will be for two months which starts from December 2018 to January 2019.

“The cash grants will be released on June 2019 as announced by LBP,” he said.

These cash grants are provided to 4Ps poor families to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of their children aged 0-18.

Under the health grant, a beneficiary family receives P500 per month or a total of P6,000 per year. For the educational grant, a beneficiary family whose children are in elementary receive P300 every month, per child. Also, a family with high school students receive a monthly grant of P500 per child.  A maximum of three children are covered in every family under the program.

In addition, an amount of P600.00 per month is provided to a beneficiary family for their rice subsidy.

These cash grants are distributed to household beneficiaries every after two months through LBP cash cards– or through alternate payment schemes such as rural bank transactions through the LBP identified conduits.

Dir. Garcia made emphasis that the delay release of cash grants affects only those household beneficiaries whose mode of payment are through over-the-counter or those being paid through conduits.

He also reminded the 4Ps beneficiaries that they should comply with the program’s conditions: attending the monthly family development session; Children beneficiaries should attend or should reach 85% attendance in their classes and avail themselves of medical check-up and vaccines in health centers.

“We know these grants are needed by the beneficiaries to augment to their daily living. That is why the Department is working hard to ensure that the target household beneficiaries and individuals will receive their grants,” he said.

At present, a total of 363,870 households are beneficiaries of the Program.

For further queries, beneficiaries may reach their respective DSWD Municipal or City links assigned in their area or go to the nearest DSWD Office or send a text message to the Pantawid Pamilya’s grievance hotline at 0918-912-2813.***GANLindio

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