Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the mobile phones provided by Globe and GCash aim to make cash grants more accessible for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, particularly those in survival mode and living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
During a radio interview on Friday, March 21, Gatchalian discussed the 4Ps mobile phone distribution initiative, which was launched in Navotas City on March 18.
“Sa tulong ng Globe at ng Gcash, sila ang nagbigay ng mga cellphones, ‘yung pinakamahirap natin na 4Ps beneficiaries, ‘yung level 1 or survival mode kung tawagin, binigyan at bibigyan natin para makalipat sila sa Gcash or sa e-wallet. Sa ngayon natatanggap nila ang grant sa pamamagitan ng ATM sa malalayong lugar, minsan eight hours to get to the nearest ATM machine,” Gatchalian said.
(With the help of Globe and GCash, they provided mobile phones to our poorest 4Ps beneficiaries, those in level 1 or survival mode, and we are giving them the opportunity to transition to GCash or e-wallets. Currently, they receive their grants through ATMs in remote areas, and sometimes it takes eight hours to get to the nearest ATM.)
With the use of smartphones, the 4Ps beneficiaries will learn how to use digital apps and help them transition to receiving their cash grants through e-wallets, thus eliminating the need for long trips to access ATMs, especially in rural areas.
Gatchalian said the beneficiaries in these areas often face significant travel challenges and security risks, as well as high transportation costs to collect their grants.
“Imagine ang hirap din dinadanas nila para kunin lang yong kanilang grant. So, ngayon dahil may e-wallet na alam natin maraming merchant ang GCash nationwide kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Globe na nagbigay ng mga cellphones,” he explained.
(Imagine the difficulty they go through to claim their grant. Now, because they have e-wallets, we know that many merchants accept GCash nationwide, so we are grateful to Globe for providing the mobile phones.)
Gatchalian assured that beneficiaries would receive relevant training on how to effectively use smartphones—not only for receiving and using their cash grants but also for enhancing their digital literacy.
The DSWD is collaborating with the BPI Foundation, Globe, and GCash to provide financial digital literacy training to smartphone recipients, as it aims to open new livelihood opportunities for them.
The initial distribution of mobile phones is part of a broader initiative aimed at providing mobile devices to 32,684 4Ps households across the country, focusing on those at the survival level of well-being and in GIDAs.