In an effort to empower poor households through digital inclusion and financial literacy, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed mobile phones donated by Globe Telecom to 256 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the municipalities of Bataraza and Brooke’s Point, Palawan.
The mobile phone donation complemented the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” digital financial literacy sessions conducted on May 27 to 28 in the island province which forms part of MIMAROPA Region.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally oversaw the handover of mobile phones, led by Globe Telecom Senior Director and Head of Analytics, Intelligence and Stakeholder Engagement Carlo Santos to 4Ps beneficiaries—many of whom belong to Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) and reside in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
“Nauunawaan namin na ATM ang gamit ninyo para makuha ang cash grants ninyo, at malalayo ang inyong lugar. Minsan, sa pagkakaunawa namin, apat na oras papunta sa pinakamalapit na ATM, apat na oras pabalik—-walong oras suma total. Ang good news ngayon, dahil sa teknolohiya, pwede na nating hindi gawin yan lahat,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the phone distribution on May 29 at the Bataraza Town Center.
The digital financial literacy initiative, which includes the distribution of smartphones, aims to help 4Ps households learn safe and efficient ways of receiving their conditional cash grants through digital platforms and electronic wallets like GCash.
“Sa tulong ng GCash at ng Globe, mula ngayon, makukuha niyo na ang cash grants ninyo sa GCash, sa cellphone niyo na. Hindi na kayo luluwas, hindi na kayo mahihirapan pa lalo na pag umuulan, para lang makapunta sa pinakamalapit na ATM. Pag time na ng payout, pagtingin nyo sa GCash nyo, nandoon na ang cash grants nyo,” the DSWD chief said.
This latest rollout in Palawan came after previous mobile phone distributions in Metro Manila and Romblon.
According to Secretary Gatchalian, the initiative continues to grow as more beneficiaries express willingness to transition to digital transactions.
“Itong programa na ito ay utos ng ating Pangulo, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Gusto niya na mas mabilis ninyong makuha ang inyong cash grant at hindi kayo dapat nahihirapan para makuha ang inyong cash grant,” the DSWD chief pointed out.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the importance of such efforts in enabling beneficiaries to participate in the digital economy, saying, “Sana yang mga cellphone ninyo ay alagaan ninyo nang mabuti dahil yan na ang susi ninyo sa inyong cash grant.”
Secretary Gatchalian also expressed gratitude to the agency partners including Globe Telecom, GCash, Ayala Foundation, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation, and Landbank of the Philippines for their continued partnership in this advocacy.
“Gusto kong samantalahin ang pagkakataon na magpasalamat sa ating mga partner. Nandito ang Globe, maraming salamat, at Gcash na partner natin,” the DSWD chief said.
As part of the Department’s push for a digitally empowered 4Ps community, the DSWD vowed to sustain and expand this initiative, focusing on long-term financial empowerment and inclusion.
“[Sa inisyatibong ito], walang gastos sa gobyerno, hindi nagbayad ang gobyerno para sa mga cellphone. Nag-mabuting loob ang GCash at ang Globe para bigyan kayo ng cellphone units,” Secretary Gatchalian said. (YADP)