(Eagle News) –The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Friday, June 15, launched the unconditional cash transfer program that is aimed at helping indigents cope with the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
In launching ceremonies held in San Fernando, Pampanga, Acting Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo said the program will see 10 million poor Filipinos receiving an additional P200 allowance every month for three years.
Orogo said this was distinct from the conditional cash transfer program, which requires that a beneficiary have a child who goes to school and attends at least 85 percent of his or her classes.
The child should frequent health centers as well.
“Ang UCT wala itong condition..basta sinabi na indigent o mahirap talaga, kasama sila sa UCT,” she said.
During the launch, an initial ten beneficiaries received P2400 each, which is equivalent to one year’s allowance under the program.
Orogo said the target was to complete the distribution by the end of the year.
According to Quirino Rep. Dax Cua, while the P200 monthly was enough to address the effects of the 0.4 percent share of TRAIN of the five-year high 4.5 percent inflation rate in April, the money was not enough to cover a Filipino’s basic needs.
This, however, he said, was being addressed by the government through other projects.
“Siyempre mas gusto natin ang sustainable sa lahat ng mga mamamayang Pilipino. Yan po ang pinag-aaralan natin…Habang nangyayari ito, nag-uusap kami paano ang isang sustainable na pangkabuhayan ng mga tao..na magpatuloy, na hindi stop-gap measure,” Orogo added.