4Ps Beneficiaries Start Receiving Rice Subsidy

Beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Central Visayas have started receiving the monthly Php 600 rice assistance/subsidy for the month of January 2017.

The rice subsidy is a commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made during his first State of the Nation Address in 2016 to ensure that all Filipinos be free from hunger and poverty in the amount of Php 600, which shall be given to all beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya.

For the period 6 payout that covers the December 2016-January 2017 compliance, 213,502 active household in Central Visayas are expected to receive the rice subsidy. The rice subsidy will be paid bi-monthly along with the education and health grant.

Of the total active beneficiaries in Cental Visayas, 148, 805 are from Cebu Province, 60,858 from Bohol Province and 3,839 from Siquijor.

“These beneficiaries have started receiving the rice subsidy last March 9, 2017 while there is an on-going pay-out all though out the region,” said Dir. Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, DSWD-7 Regional Director.

Pantawid Pamilya is a social protection program of the national government. It invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 18 and below. Households shall receive their cash grant provided that they comply with the program conditionalities.

These conditions include school attendance of at least 85% per month for children enrolled in the elementary or high school. Children aged 5 and below would need to undergo preventive check-up as mandated by the Department of Health (DoH), while children enrolled in the elementary must receive deworming pills twice within the school year.

On the other hand pregnant women must receive pre and post-natal care based on DoH’s protocol. Lastly, parent/s or guardians are required to attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).

“We are hopeful that the additional cash grant will be used for its intended purpose. We will use FDS to ensure that the beneficiaries are informed of the relevant provision on rice subsidy,” Macapobre reiterated.

The additional cash grant as Rice Assistance/Subsidy is included as part of the Php 72,115,230 cash grant budget approved for calendar year 2017.