Unity walk for passage of CCT bill into law set

CEBU, Philippines - Civil society organizations in Cebu are set to stage a unity walk tomorrow to compel the Aquino administration to pass the Conditional Cash Transfer bill.

The walk, spearheaded by Jesus Christ The Rock Of Refuge Foundation Inc (JCTRORF), will start from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Sugbo from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. A short program will then follow.

Expected to attend the event are the Young Life Foundation, People Power Volunteers for Reform and Change Politics Movement. Around 3,000 pastors, evangelist and beneficiaries are also expected to join.

The passage of the CCT into law will institutionalize the CCT program of the government that is currently implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

During the event, there will be testimonials from 4Ps beneficiaries, at least 44-second noise barrage and signature campaign.

Pastor Edwin Kiamko, JCTRORF-FDS operations chief, explained that the 44-second noise barrage represents the 44 million households who are partner-beneficiaries of 4Ps nationwide.

According to JCTRORF founding president Pastor Cristobal Encabo, the unity walk is in line also with the Cebu National Bible Week 2016 celebrations with the theme “Hope for the Family, Strength of the Nation.”

The organization has been a facilitator of Family Development Sessions, one of the conditions of  the 4Ps. JCTRORF has been a partner of DSWD since 2011 for the conduct of FDS program.

 “We are witness on how this program has helped improve the lives of our poor brothers and sisters,” Encabo said.

Kiamko, for his part, shared that their participation in FDS allowed them to help strengthen family values and spirituality by preaching the gospel.

 Bill

Under the bill, the DSWD will select qualified household-beneficiaries using a standardized targeting system. It will conduct a revalidation of targeting every three years.

The measure creates Local Verification Committees which will ensure that the initial list of beneficiaries satisfies the eligibility requirements.

A qualified household-beneficiary will receive a conditional cash transfer of P500 per month for health and nutrition expenses.

A maximum of three children per qualified household-beneficiary shall be given conditional cash grants for educational expenses.

A household will receive P300 per month per child enrolled in elementary, P500 per month per child enrolled in ju-nior high school, and P700 per month per child enrolled in senior high school, all reckoned over a 10-month school year.

A supplementary education grant of P300 per month will be given to a child in elementary or high school who has maintained passing grades in all subjects after the second year of availment of the program.

The conditions include children receiving regular preventive health checkups, vaccinations and deworming; class attendance of at least 85 percent; pregnant women obtaining pre-and post-natal care; and attendance at family development sessions.  (FREEMAN)