4Ps CASH GRANT MORE PRACTICAL THAN RICE DISTRIBUTION — DSWD

DEPARTENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez on Thursday said that giving out cash grants is more practical than the actual rice distribution to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.

Lopez, also spokesperson of the DSWD, issued the reaction following the recommendation of the National Food Authority (NFA) to procure and distribute rice instead of the P600 monthly rice allowance for 4Ps recipients.

According to Lopez, the DSWD would rather adhere to the implementing rules and regulations of the 4Ps Act “which calls for rice cash subsidy instead of distributing actual bags of rice.”

“Under sa ating 4Ps law, talagang nakalagay doon na ang stipend natin ay cash at ito po ay ibibili ng bigas ng ating mga beneficiaries,” the DSWD official said.

He added that the current system using the beneficiary’s cash card was a more practical and efficient means to distribute the rice subsidy and more beneficial for the beneficiaries as they would have the choice to purchase rice of their preference.

“We want to give our beneficiaries iyong ika nga nila, na purchasing power. Choice po nila iyon,” Lopez said.

Aside from the rice subsidy, 4Ps members receive monthly health and education cash grants.

The DSWD official, meanwhile, assured the public, especially the beneficiaries, that the Department is ready to distribute sacks of rice to the 4Ps beneficiaries instead of the cash subsidy once the National Advisory Council (NAC) of 4Ps approves a resolution calling for actual rice distribution instead of the cash grant.

The NAC is composed of members from different government agencies which include the DSWD, Departments of Health, Education, Agriculture, Labor and Employment, and Trade and Industry.