DSWD expands digital cash aid system for 4Ps households
DSWD Photo
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is expanding the use of digital systems for cash assistance and food support programs for low-income households, including the distribution of mobile phones and the use of electronic wallets for grant disbursement.
More than 100 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) received mobile phones under the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” initiative in Pinabacdao, Samar on April 27.
The devices were donated by DSWD partner Globe Telecom.
The phones are intended to support the transition of beneficiaries to digital financial systems, including the use of e-wallets for receiving monthly cash grants.
“Tinutulungan natin ang mga 4Ps beneficiaries na maging safe sa paggamit ng teknolohiya, gayundin upang masiguro na magagamit nila ito to their fullest advantage (We are helping 4Ps beneficiaries use technology safely, and to ensure they can use it to their fullest advantage),” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperon Irene Dumlao said on Tuesday, April 28.
She added that the government is prioritizing access to services that can help improve household living conditions, including digital financial tools.
Before receiving the devices, beneficiaries underwent digital financial literacy sessions conducted by the DSWD and partner organizations.
The sessions covered topics such as online transaction safety, scam prevention, and basic use of digital financial platforms.
Among the lessons discussed were how to identify risks in online transactions and how to better manage savings.
“Patuloy na binibigyan ng prayoridad ng pamahalaan na masiguro na may access ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino sa iba’t ibang serbisyo na makakatulong sa kanila na umangat ang kanilang pamumuhay. Kabilang dito ang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na matuto sa mga digital financial apps at iba pang pamamaraan kung paano nila ma-maximize ang kanilang cash grants (The government continues to prioritize ensuring that every Filipino family has access to services that can help improve their living conditions. This includes giving them opportunities to learn digital financial apps and other ways to maximize their cash grants),” Dumlao said.
The 4Ps program, institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11310, provides conditional cash grants to more than four million low-income households to support education, health, and nutrition requirements.