The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program assures economical and efficient mode of distribution of cash assistance to its identified family beneficiaries.

Since Pantawid Pamilya started in 2009, the Department has been working hand in hand with Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) in providing efficient and effective system of pay out. The LBP has been the sole authorized disbursing agent for the nationwide distribution of cash assistance.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, beneficiaries received their cash assistance through Automated Time Machine (ATM) cash cards issued to them by LBP. He added that beneficiaries located in rural and coastal areas where ATM machines are not feasible, an alternative payment scheme is being conducted.

As an alternative mode of payment, the LBP uses other conduits such as rural banks and cooperatives for timely distribution of cash assistance to beneficiaries.

“It is our top priority to consider the welfare of our beneficiaries. We knew that the cash assistance is a huge help to them to augment their daily needs. That is why the pay-out is being scheduled as to where and when it will be conducted considering their best interest. Also, we made sure that they received their cash assistance in the easiest possible and economical way,” Garcia added.

Indicated below are the authorized rural banks and cooperatives of LBP in each of the provinces.

Under Pantawid Pamilya, beneficiaries receive cash grants for health amounting to P500 per household every month. And for education grant amounting to P300 for elementary or P500 for high school per child every month for ten months.

Hence, the grant package per household with three children in elementary amounts to P1,400 a month, while a household with three children in high school will receive P2,000 a month.

Fifty-seven year Melinda Benipayo of Sitio Anislag, Balinad, Polangui, Albay related how the program enables to improve their family’s living condition.

“Mahirap makabayad sa oras ng tuition fees ng aking mga apo. Ako na po ang nag-aalaga na sakanila. Pero sa tulong po ng Pantawid Pamilya, sinikap ko po na yung natatangap po naming pera ay unahin ang pambayad sa tutition fee nila at ilaan sa lahat ng gastusin sa eskwelahan [It is hard to pay the tuition fees of my grandchildren on time. I am the one who took care of them. But through Pantawid Pamilya, I tried to prioritize the grant we received to pay for their tuition fees and allocate it to other needs in school],” Inday said as she is fondly called-off.

Inday added that she is thankful for the grant they received and hope that Program will continue in providing assistance to poor families like them. “Salamat po sa programa, sa mga tumutulong po sa amin, salamat po! [Thanks to the program, to those who helped us, thank you!],” she said.

As of February 29, 2016, a total of P4.264B cash assistance has been released for the year 2015 to a total of 374,459 households in Bicol Region.***G. LINDIO, Information Officer-Pantawid Pamilya