DSWD to start distributing P5.2-B fund to targeted cash transfer beneficiaries this December

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will start distributing this month the P5.2 billion cash aid for beneficiaries under the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program, an official said on Saturday.

"This month idi-distribute na 'yung additional P5.2 billion na additional grant for the third tranche [ng cash aid]," DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(This month, the P5.2-billion additional grant for the third tranche [of the cash aid] will be distributed.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday it has released P5.2 billion to cover the one-month requirement of the TCT program of the DSWD. 

A total of 12.4 million TCT beneficiaries will receive P500 a month for six months under the program. 

The TCT program grants unconditional cash transfers amounting to P500 per month to the most affected households for six months in order to mitigate the effects of the increase in the prices of fuel and other non-fuel commodities on vulnerable populations.

"Kasama po diyan 'yung identified na poorest of the poor — four million 4Ps beneficiaries —, at six million na former Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) beneficiaries including social pensioners na indigent senior citizens, at 2.4 million na additional beneficiaries na galing sa Listahanan," Punay said.

Punay said the Listahanan beneficiaries are currently being validated.

Beneficiaries will receive their P500 via a cash card issued by the Land Bank of the Philippines.

"Naka-issue na tayo dati ng cash card. 'Yung mga beneficiaries natin, may mga cash card from Land Bank, at tina-top up na lang natin ang pondo doon sa Land Bank. Diretsong pasok na 'yan sa cash card nila," Punay added.

The DBM has previously released a total amount of P10.33 billion to the DSWD covering two months of cash transfers for 10 million target household beneficiaries. —KG, GMA Integrated News