The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will conduct simultaneous payout of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) grants for senior-beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program in 26 towns in Regions III, IV-A, and IV-B today, June 30.

The simultaneous payout for the P2,400 grants of seniors in these areas is just the first as there will be more in the coming days.  The Department hopes to complete the distribution of the UCT grants to social pensioners this July.

The UCT is the tax subsidy provided under the TRAIN law to help the poor cushion the adverse economic effect of the policy.  It is considered to be the biggest tax reform mitigation program under the TRAIN law which seeks to provide 10 million beneficiaries with cash subsidies amounting to P200 a month for 2018 and P300 a month for 2019 and 2020.

Under the TRAIN law, the total number of Filipino households and individuals who will receive the UCT is   10 million.  The beneficiaries are divided into three main categories: 4.4 million members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); 3 million senior citizen-beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program; and 2.6 million households from the DSWD’s Listahanan.

DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo said, “The Department is currently fast-tracking the processing of the pay-out for the senior citizens.  As  promised we are accelerating our schedule to help alleviate the temporary discomfort as our country adjusts our tax system towards a more equitable distribution of wealth.”

Upon her assumption as DSWD Acting Secretary, Sec. Orogo  called on all the Department’s regional directors to fast track the distribution of the cash grants in compliance to the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Regional Directors Gemma Gabuya of Field Office III, Annie Mendoza of Field Office IV-A, and Wilma Naviamos of Field Office IV-B quickly responded to this call of the Secretary. Other regional directors are quickly responding as well.

All regional directors have committed to complete the payout of the UCT grants  of  8 million out of the 10 million beneficiaries this July.

Sec. Orogo also thanked Land Bank for heeding her call even if there are huge logistics and coordination challenges.

The Secretary continued, “Rest assured that we are doing our best, as well as our partner stakeholders, to provide the UCT cash grants to the beneficiaries the soonest possible.  We know the importance of the cash grant to our poor fellowmen, especially as prices of basic commodities have recently increased.”

Sec. Orogo also shared that the Land Bank has also committed to provide cash cards to the beneficiaries within the year in order to prepare for a smoother implementation of the UCT cash grant in 2019. ###