As cash card holders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program started receiving their  2018 Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) cash grant of P2,400, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reminded the beneficiaries to practice safety measures in withdrawing their money.

“Today, the 1.8 million beneficiaries  of Pantawid Pamilya who have cash cards can now withdraw their UCT cash subsidy allocation for 2018 as Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has already released the funds,” DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco announced.

OIC Leyco said that prior to today’s payout at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, police and local authorities were alerted on same; but similar security measures cannot be guaranteed in all other areas where beneficiaries will withdraw their UCT.

“We want to  remind all our beneficiaries to be conscious of their security and safety when getting their cash from ATMs. The amount might be minimal, but for poor families, we understand that P2,400  is a significant help.  This is why we appeal to the beneficiaries to practice caution in withdrawing their money from ATMs.  Just to be safe, please avoid withdrawing your money at night and avoid going alone if the ATM is in isolated or relatively unsafe areas,”

UCT is the tax subsidy provided by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to help the poor cushion the adverse economic impact of the policy for three years starting 2018.

Under the UCT scheme,  10 million beneficiaries  will receive P200 a month as subsidy for 2018 and P300 a month for 2019 and 2020.

In a simple pay-out kick off ceremony at the DSWD Central Office today, 100 families from Pantawid Pamilya were able to withdraw their UCT cash grants.

Among those who were able to secure their UCT was  Rosa Mercader of Barangay Batasan who affirmed that the amount is useful to her family given that her husband is not securely employed: he is a taxi driver but has no regular driving assignment.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa amin. Unexpected kasi na makatanggap kami ng ganito. Akala namin na maliit lang na halaga. Yung pala ‘di namin akalain na ito pala, P2,400 sa loob ng isang taon na. Malaking halaga narin ito sa amin dahil dagdag panggastos lalo na ngayon, pa-graduation na ng mga bata. Isa pa yung sa akin kasi, may college ako kaya kailangang kailangan ko po talaga makapagbayad ng tuition (This is a big help to us as this is unexpected.  P2,400 is  big amount of money for us.  This will help  us cover the educational expenses of my children, especially as graduation season is near),” Rosa added.

The first Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary to withdraw the UCT cash grant at the DSWD Central Office, Rodelio Mabali agreed with Rosa Mercader.

A father of four, Rodelio said “Malaking tulong sa amin lalo na ngayon na mataas na ang mga bilihin.  Magagamit yun na dagdag budget, unang-una sa pagbili ng bigas at iba pa. Nagpapasalamat ako at nagkaroon ng ganitong programa (This serves as a big help for my family especially as prices of basic commodities  have increased.  The amount is an extra budget  to purchase rice and other goods.  I am thankful that there is a program like this).”

Asked if the UCT program will extend beyond the three years mandated by the TRAIN law, OIC Leyco said, “It is up to the lawmakers if the UCT will be extended.  However, with or without the UCT program, DSWD still has other programs which the poor can access when needed.” ###