It’s no brainer that beneficiaries of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) who after being thoroughly screened of their actual financial status to be deserving of cash grants of 4Ps, 600 each month for two elementary and one high school student each month– but released every two months– pawn their cash cards to lenders because 1) their cash grants are not released on time, if at all and 2) because inflation has beat even the middle class, how much more for indigents like them who have to live each day by hand-to-mouth.
Take for instance my kasambahay, a 4Ps member for 10 years and still deserved to be a recipient as she still has a kid under the program who has yet to finish school (and have shown good grades and regular attendance to school and tends to her health as prescribed by the program) and the mother who diligently attends every meeting and lectures required under the program, has not received any cash grant since January 2023 until now.
Considering she lives in Metro Manila and has not been able to avail of the cash grants promised them, how much more for those in the remote provinces?
The cash grants she receives are as follows: P300 for each elementary student and P500 for high school and P700 for senior high school plus the mother who gets P700 per month and during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s time there was an additional amount for rice.
But the cash grants differ when it comes to releases for those in the remote areas.
Going by her case, how much more for those who depend only the releases of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to the local government units, which I understand is even being deducted on by the dispensers of these cash grants.
It’s a mindless manipulation of resources (by the grant dispensers) that must be given to the proper recipient.
No wonder I read in the papers about the Camarines Norte LGU helping the DSWD in convincing the beneficiaries not to pawn their cash cards.
Recognizing the importance of safeguarding the welfare of 4Ps beneficiaries, the LGUs of Paracale, Vinzons and Mercedes have taken proactive measures to ensure that the 4Ps grants are directly given to their beneficiaries and used for their intended purposes," DSWD Field Office-5 (Bicol) Regional Director Norman Laurio said on Tuesday.
"The LGUs have enacted ordinances aimed at preventing abuse and exploitation in the use of cash cards," he added.
Laurio said that these regulations are meant to ensure that the funds are solely used for the goals stipulated by the program, which are to enhance the education, health and nutrition of children-beneficiaries.
Honestly, those ordinances will be useless in the face of the realities of inflation, and a very difficult and costly living standard, even in the provinces. At beast, the ordinance is just a formal outward display of concern, nothing more.
"By implementing these ordinances, local governments aim to crack down on loan sharks, individuals offering high-interest loans and government officials who violate the law. This move is seen as a crucial step in protecting the interests of 4Ps beneficiaries across these localities," Laurio said. Pray tell me how when the beneficiaries themselves are the ones asking for their help.
"We commend the proactive efforts of the local government units in Camarines Norte in addressing the issue of cash card pawning," he added.
Laurio said that a technical working group made up of DSWD Bicol staff and local council representatives will be formed "to conduct thorough monitoring and coordination" in order to further guarantee the successful execution of these measures.
By working together, the national and local governments can ensure that the benefits of the 4Ps program reach the intended recipients and contribute to their socioeconomic empowerment," Laurio said.
The 4Ps program plays an important role in improving Filipinos' lives, particularly by ensuring children's access to education and health care, as it emphasizes a cooperative effort of government institutions, development partners, local governments and nongovernmental organizations as a comprehensive approach to development.
Photo courtesy : officialgazette.gov.ph
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