P3.9-B cash grant released in North Mindanao

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao has released a total of P3.9 billion from January to September in 2018 to the 260,663 beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) across the region.

In its observance of Overcoming Extreme Poverty Day over the weekend, the DSWD-Northern Mindanao noted that Bukidnon province still has the biggest number of 4Ps beneficiaries, followed by Misamis Oriental at 70,534 beneficiaries; Lanao del Norte with 66,018 beneficiaries;m Misamis Occidental with 33,501 beneficiaries; and Camiguin with only 5,582 beneficiaries.

Each beneficiary received as much as P2,500 per month.

Data also showed that P663.945 million released under the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) to offset the effects of the tax reform law.

The UCT is on top of 4Ps beneficiaries' regular cash grant and P600 rice subsidy from the program.

The recently implemented Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law increases the taxpayers' take-home pay, but has also led to pricier cars, fuel, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

The law has been partly blamed for the rising prices of basic commodities, and higher transportation fares and power rates.

DSWD-4Ps regional coordinator Kenneth Haze Sanchez said the program is empowering rather than a "dole-out" program. She said the financial assistance given by the government transformed lives of families from being dependent to cash aids to being self-sufficient.

The 4Ps program also has about 1,204 scholars and produced 102 graduates with honors.

"Studies show that our beneficiaries spent less on adult goods such as alcohol but resulted to increased savings. It also did not affect decisions to work or the fertility rates. We, instead, find out that the poor are actually rational, like anybody else, on the use of their money," she said.

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