The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) in partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Taguig LGU, conducts an unusual payout activity for 1,136 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the said city, today.
Unlike with the previous scenario during payout wherein beneficiaries are patiently waiting in line for the release of their cash grants, mentioned number of beneficiaries for today’s payout have availed services offered by DSWD, CSOs and other partner-beneficiaries.
Among the services offered during the activity were eye check-up by QC Eye Specialist, scholarship for students by Charity First Foundation and free haircut courtesy of the trained Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, among others.
Orientation on various social protection programs and services such as the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, Social Pension, 2nd Household Assessment by Listahanan, Disaster Awareness/ Preparedness and PhilHealth and Red Cross membership and services were also held in the 1st part of the activity.
DSWD-NCR Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan emphasized that aside from the service caravan, some beneficiaries also shared their testimonial regarding the changes in their lives brought by the Pantawid Pamilya program.
“They themselves as beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya served as living proof on how the program works in their lives, thus, their stories are the most effective tool in advocating that positive changes may also happen to their fellow beneficiaries,” Bonoan said.
The activity also became an opportunity for the CSOs and media partners to personally witness how the cash grants were distributed to the beneficiaries in an over-the-counter (OTC) setup.
Further, the transparency of the Department regarding the payout activity which showcased the area of mobilization as “Bantay” among the invited CSOs, was also featured in the activity.
This kind of payout activity will be replicated during the OTCs in other areas of Metro Manila to produce a productive day during the payout of their cash grants that the beneficiaries are not only waiting, but also gaining knowledge and availing services that they do not encounter everyday. ###