The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will not totally shift to digital financing platforms in distributing the cash grants of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
‘The preference of 4Ps grantees will still be the primary consideration in releasing their cash grants,” Division Chief (DC) Marie Grace Ponce of the 4Ps Social Marketing Division (SMD) said during the April 23 episode of the DSWD’s online program “4Ps Fastbreak.”
“Hindi po totally magshi-shift. Yung desisyon pa rin po ay nasa beneficiaries natin dahil ang gusto po natin ay matanggap ng mga beneficiaries yung kanilang cash grants sa pinakamabilis, pinaka-episyenteng pamamaraan, at yung lesser na yung expenses na gagamitin nila,” DC Ponce said.
DC Ponce explained that the ongoing efforts of the 4Ps to promote digital financial literacy is one of the agency’s initiatives to comply with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to promote financial inclusivity.
“Bagamat mayroong cash cards, mayroon din naman siyang online versions so yung ngayon, ang ginagawa natin is tinuturuan natin yung ating mga beneficiaries na ma-maximize yung technology o yung tinatawag nating digital platforms para ma-maximize nila yung mga ino-offer na mga services online,” DC Ponce pointed out.
The SMD chief further explained that digital platforms will be beneficial to 4Ps members since they can use e-wallets to pay their bills online, send and receive money digitally, and prioritize savings.
The digital financial literacy initiative is aligned with Republic Act 11310 or the “Act Institutionalizing the 4Ps”, outlining the importance of providing beneficiaries with capability-building activities to improve their well-being through the conduct of family development sessions (FDS).
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019, the 4Ps program provides cash grants to more than 4 million households whose children are given subsidies to finish elementary and senior high school and supported with health and nutrition grants.
The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communication Group’s Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform. (AKDL)