MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 6 (Western Visayas) has released P6.2 million to the beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program in Aklan.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the amount is the first cash grant provided to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Aklan towns of Libacao and Madalag.
Cabral said the DSWD has distributed P3.841 million to 2,602 beneficiaries in Libacao and P2.363 million to 1,548 beneficiaries in Madalag.
The 4Ps is a social development and poverty reduction strategy that provides cash grants to poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, particularly of children aged until 14, provided they comply with certain conditions.
Under the five-year program, a beneficiary household – with a maximum of three children – can receive as much as P1,400 per month.
Cabral said the parents should ensure that their children attend school at least 85 percent of the time, and receive vaccinations and health care.
Pregnant women must get pre- and post-natal care, and be attended to during childbirth by a skilled health attendant.
The parents or guardians must also attend family planning sessions, mother’s classes and parent effectiveness seminars, Cabral said.