THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development in Cordillera Administrative Region assured beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Ifugao province that they will receive their cash benefits even after program funds were lost to robbers on May 22.
DSWD-CAR regional director Janet Armas said government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has assured them of payment.
"We are awaiting the latest report coming from the PNP regarding the incident. But initially, these three personalities are members of the Lagawe Multipurpose Cooperative which won the bidding to be the service provider for Landbank in the delivery of 4Ps fund in Ifugao," Armas said.
Employees of Lagawe Multipurpose Development Cooperative (LMDC) namely Marlon Padolnaton Guimangad, 26, of Hungduan, Kiangan; Chester Bulayo Guazon, 33, of Bilong, Nagacadan, Kiangan; and Jeffrey Humiwat Buhyag, 29, of Baguinge, Kiangan were on their way to Kiangan when they were robbed along Sitio Awa, Julongan.
Armas said an initial dialogue with the Regional Action Committee and Landbank representatives was held whether or not continue the service of LMDC in the delivery of the 4Ps fund in Ifugao.
"Our measure now is to continue to coordinate with the PNP which we have started based on a resolution last May involving their services, aside from them being part of the Regional Advisory Committee," Armas stated.
The protocol on the delivery of the 4Ps fund lies with Landbank which contracts the winning service provider.
"Because of this incident wherein we have learned a lot, we would be suggesting to Landbank to refrain delivering the 4P's fund in the evening, even if these three individuals are not DSWD employees. We are looking at an additional possible protocol of no security detail, no delivery," Armas added.