Some 100 household-beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) receive new mobile phone units from Globe Telecom as part of their participation in the regional roll out of the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” digital financial literacy initiative on Wednesday (September 3) at the People’s Center and Library in Tacloban City, Leyte.
Under the e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan, 4Ps members will learn to utilize digital applications for managing their finances to facilitate their inclusion to the country’s digital financial system.
In the same venue, some 300 exiting 4Ps household-beneficiaries received their “Sertipiko ng Pagkilala” in recognition of their improved level of well-being as part of the “Pugay Tagumpay” ceremony.
Present in the activity were Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the of the Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG), 4Ps National Program Manager (NPM) Director Gemma Gabuya, Regional Director Grace Subong of DSWD’s Field Office 8-Eastern Visayas, and local chief executives in the region. (AKDL)
Leyte’s 4Ps beneficiaries reap benefits of digital financial literacy benefits from e-Panalo regional rollout
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), brought its digital financial literacy initiative in Tacloban City in Leyte to facilitate the inclusion of 100 4Ps beneficiaries to the country’s digital financial system.
During the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan,” regional rollout on Wednesday (September 3), 4Ps household beneficiaries, including those from different vulnerable sectors such as solo parents, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and farmers and fisherfolks, received mobile phones donated by the agency’s partner, Globe Telecom.
In his message, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the new mobile phones can be used by the 4Ps members to gain financial empowerment since they can utilize digital applications for managing their finances, especially for the beneficiaries living in remote areas.
“Kami dito sa DSWD, buo ang paniniwala namin na sa pamamagitan ng makabuluhang paggamit ng mobile phones at bagong kaalaman tungkol sa digital financial literacy, dumarami pa ang mga toolkits natin para masiguro na walang Pilipino ang napag-iiwanan sa mga pagbabago na hatid ng teknolohiya,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message delivered by Asst. Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG).
Before receiving the mobile phone units, the participating 4Ps beneficiaries attended a digital financial literacy session on September 2 to gain knowledge and skills in navigating online financial platforms.
The sessions were conducted in partnership with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation, Ayala Foundation, G-Xchange, Inc., and Globe Telecom.
The activity is part of the nationwide rollout consistent with the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise known as the 4Ps Act.
This legislation institutionalizes the 4Ps and affirms the Marcos Administration’s commitment to enhancing financial access, advancing digital literacy, and fostering economic mobility, particularly among vulnerable sectors of society.
One of the recipients of the new mobile phone unit was Marilou Badando, a 4Ps grantee from Borongan, Samar.
“Magagamit ko po yung cellphone para makapag-ipon po ng pera ko tapos hindi basta-basta magagastos. Kapag pupunta ako sa mga mall or merkado, mga palengke, magagamit kong pambayad yung G-Cash. Tapos, para rin sa pag-budget para hindi mahirapan,” Marilou said.
The DSWD chief also congratulated the 300 self-sufficient households from the Province of Leyte during the Pugay-Tagumpay graduation ceremony held in the same event.
“Kayo ang patunay na kayang umunlad ng bawat pamilyang pilipino, basta’t may pagsisikap, pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan. Mukhang simple lang ang bawat certificate na matatanggap niyo ngayon, pero ang papel na hawak-hawak ninyo ay simbolo ng pagbabago, katatagan, at tagumpay ninyo,” Secretary Gatchalian emphasized.
In the testimonial of Jenneth Sabulao, a 4Ps graduating grantee from Tacloban City, she shared that the cash assistance program helped her become a better parent for her children.
“Malaki po ang naitulong ng programang ito sa aming pamilya, lalo na sa kalusugan at edukasyon ng (aking) dalawang anak. Sa tulong ng 4Ps, may katuwang na kami ng aking asawa sa pagtugon ng kanilang pangangailangan. Higit pa riyan, natuto rin po ako ng mga bagong kaalaman at naging mas matatag bilang magulang,” Jenneth said.
Among the highlights of the ceremony was the symbolic handover of case files of beneficiaries by the DSWD to their respective local government units (LGUs) through their Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDO).
This will ensure the continuity of government support and interventions for the families transitioning beyond the 4Ps to prevent them from sliding back to poverty.
Joining Asst. Secretary Fallarcuna in the event were 4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya and Regional Director Grace Subong of DSWD Field Office 8-Eastern Visayas.
Also present were local chief executives from the region. (AKDL)
