2,671 new 4Ps beneficiaries receive cash cards in Surigao provinces

The poverty alleviation program of the government, the expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, continue to hit in far-flung villages as at least 2,671 new household beneficiaries received their cash cards in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

Caraga region’s social welfare information officer Leah T. Quintana said the Landbank Surigao City branch released the 4Ps cash subsidy to set three municipalities of Surigao del Norte through over-the-counter scheme.

These towns include Alegria, Mainit, Sta. Monica and Burgos.

A total of 1,797 4Ps beneficiaries queued outside the Landbank building to claim their cash grants in Surigao del Norte since May 22, this year up to the present, she said.

Quintana said beneficiaries were elated upon receiving the cash grants for they now have money to spend for their children’s uniforms and school supplies for the opening of classes next week.

4Ps in Surigao del Norte started in 2008. At present, the province has 15 4Ps municipalities, she said.

Meanwhile, a total of 874 new household beneficiaries of expanded 4Ps also received their cash cards in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur on May 22, this year.

The cash cards were distributed at Barangay Agsam Gymnasium in Lanuza town.

Tessie Crisostomo, 43, excitedly held her 4Ps cash card and proudly expressed that “even though we are poor, we can now own a cash card, thank you very much.”

A cash card will be used by the beneficiaries to withdraw the 4Ps cash subsidy from the bank.

Former Lanuza Mayor and now incoming Vice mayor Algerico Irizari in his speech told the beneficiaries that the government has given importance in establishing good foundation of families not just for the present but also for the coming generations.

“That is why, the government has this 4Ps,” he said.

Irizari also reminded the beneficiaries to comply the set conditionalities and encouraged them to give importance on their children’s health and education even beyond 4Ps.

Herbert Luna, branch manager of Landbank Tandag City, said branch manager and the bank tellers distributed the 4Ps cash cards to new household beneficiaries.

Ruth Tambura, focal person of 4Ps and barangay captains and councilors, also witnessed the said activity.

The 4Ps is one of the flagship programs of the government in fighting against poverty. The program provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education and to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty through human investment.

It is also a poverty reduction strategy of the government that provides cash grants to extremely poor households in order to improve their health, nutrition and education especially children zero to 14 years old, added Quintana.

The 4Ps program in the Caraga region is personally spearheaded by DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat.

The 4Ps program in Agusan del Sur land-locked province in Northeastern Mindanao already benefited more than 17,000 households. (PNA)

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