4Ps recipients warned vs loan sharks, pawning cash cards

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday reiterated its warning to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s (4Ps) beneficiaries against pawning their cash cards, an official said yesterday.

According to DSWD director and 4Ps program manager Gemma Gabuya, beneficiaries should avoid dealing with loan sharks or pawning their cash cards in exchange for loans.

“We conduct spot checks during family development sessions. They should bring their ATM, because (pawning) is not allowed. They can be delisted from the program,” she said.

Gabuya said beneficiaries can be delisted for “misbehavior” after three warnings if they are found to have pawned their cash cards to loan sharks.

Recently, 100,000 4Ps families were removed from the program after they were found involved in various anomalies that included pawning their cash cards.