Championing the agency’s latest innovation, ‘e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan,’ the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a two-day digital financial literacy session to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Romblon province.
Complementing the training sessions held last April 23 to 24 was the distribution of smart phones donated by the Globe Telecom to 50 program beneficiaries, 17 of whom are members of an Indigenous People’s (IP) group, from the municipalities of Romblon, San Fernando, and Cajidiocan.
“Ang teknolohiya ay bahagi ng development. Sinimulan natin itong training on digital financial literacy bilang dagdag kaalaman sa ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries para ma-upskill sila at makasabay sa paggamit ng bagong teknolohiya upang matulungan sila sa pag-unlad. Ang training na ito ay dagdag kasanayan para ma-utilize nila ang mga smartphones para mas madaling i-manage ang kanilang cash grants,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Wednesday (April 30).
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the initiative aims to empower 4Ps beneficiaries, especially those living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and those at level 1 or survival level of well-being by equipping them with the skills and tools to effectively manage their finances and access government aid digitally.
The literacy sessions were led by the DSWD’s partner-organizations such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation (BPIF), Ayala Foundation, GXchange, Inc. and Globe Telecom.
The 4Ps beneficiaries were oriented on digital financial services and on the use of e-wallets to equip them with personal financial management skills, online banking security, as well as the safe usage of technological applications like Gcash.
Sol Mangaring, a 4Ps beneficiary from Brgy. Ilauran in Romblon, Romblon shared how the activity introduced her to various digital financial services, which she can conveniently use in her daily transactions.
“Noong una po ay ayoko sanang ilipat sa Gcash ang pagtanggap ng aking cash grant, kasi kinakabahan ako at hindi ako marunong gumamit. Pero na-explain sa discussion kaya po naunawaan ko na po kung paano gamitin. Kaya po para sa akin safe naman siyang gamitin kaya nag-agree na ako na lumipat na sa Gcash,” Sol happily said.
The rollout of the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” initiative for the 4Ps in Romblon province is part of the digital financial inclusion initiative of the Department under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
This is also in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to explore all means to help the 4Ps beneficiaries sustain their improved well-being, especially those already graduating from the program.