With the representatives from the LGU of Taguig and two (2) CSOs namely Light House Christian Community and Alliance of God’s Servants in Taguig Inc. (AGSTI), the Department of Social Welfare and Development –National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) shared how Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries claim their cash grants in an over-the-counter (OTC) setup during the DSWD-led payout activity on April 30, 2015 at Taguig City University .
DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan facilitated the presentation from the validation stage to the distribution of cash grants where representatives from AGSTI, Light House Christian Community and Mr. Rodolfo D. del Rosario Jr., Branch Manager of PhilHeath NCR-South, personally witnessed the process flow.
“The amount to be distributed by the conduits shall always be based on the compliance of the beneficiaries in the program’s conditionalities that is why the City Links are always present during the payout activity for validation. This also shows that the Department’s conduits are the direct distributor of the cash grants wherein for this activity, it is JVNATCCO and Globe G-cash,” Bonoan explained.
A total of 854 partner-beneficiaries from the said city claimed their grants. While lining up for the release of their cash grants, beneficiaries availed the services offered by DSWD, CSOs, partner NGAs, and other trained beneficiaries.
Among the services offered during the activity were eye check-up by QC Eye Specialist, scholarship for students by Charity First Foundation, free haircut courtesy of the trained Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, seedlings distributed by Department of Agriculture, and 10 ‘KumainMents’ fan and flyers from DOH, among others.
Further, food items prepared by the Self-Employment Assistance –Kaunlaran (SEA-K) associations who availed the capital assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department, were also displayed and sold.
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 during the activity.
Also, six (6) Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries shared their stories on how the program helped them attain positive changes in their lives which they did not expect to happen.
Among those who gave a testimony is Marisel Pena, 38 years old, who after being elected as Parent Leader of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in their community at Brgy. Ususan, Taguig City in January 2011 and availed the SEA-K capital assistance of SLP, she left her job as ‘Jueteng-bettor” and instead earned an income by selling rice cake named “inutak.”
“Ngayon ay marangal na kameng naghahanap-buhay sa tulong ng Pantawid Pamilya at SLP ng DSWD na nagbigay ng pagkakataon sa amin upang mabago ang aming buhay at hindi manahin ng aking mga anak ang nagisnan nilang trabaho namin noon na nagpapataya ng Jueteng,” Marisel narrated with her teary eyes.
As of April 24, 2015, Metro Manila has 234, 836 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who are being monitored for health and education compliance for them to receive their respective cash grants.###