DSWD-7 warns 4Ps beneficiaries engaged in illegal activities

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) conducts a voters’ education and information campaign for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries. CDN Digital 2019 (file photo) Futch Anthony Inso

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) has warned beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) not to engage in illegal activities.

Otherwise, they will not be able to receive their financial incentives.

DSWD-7 issued this warning, in a press statement dated February 27, 2021, after their central office ordered stiffer policies to prevent beneficiaries from using government subsidies for prohibited acts.

“We would like to imbibe to the 4Ps beneficiaries the sense of responsibility in using the subsidy to augment their needs. We know that the amount is not enough to cover all their needs, but it would be a great help, especially in purchasing their food and other essentials,” said DSWD-7 Director Rebecca Geamala.

DSWD recently released Memorandum Circular 38 which is the Guidelines on the Commission of Prohibited Acts by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Beneficiaries during State of Calamity of National Emergency.

The regional bureau here said the memo was issued following reports that several beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) had engaged in illegal activities after receiving their grants.

The national government has disbursed billions of public funds to 18 million low-income poor families, including 4Ps beneficiaries, to help them amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis during the first half of 2020.

“They (beneficiaries) are always reminded that the cash assistance must be put to good use, and should not be spent outside of its intended purpose, more so, illegal activities,” said Geamala.

DSWD-7 added household cash grants ‘are automatically suspended if a household member is found out to have engaged in prohibited acts’.

“These prohibited acts include gambling, use of cash grants for alcoholic beverages, use of any prohibited or illegal drugs, intentional claiming of same grants twice, violation of any existing national and local laws, violation of any rules implemented by the national and local Government to address the contingency, and other vices and prohibited conducts of similar nature. Reinstatement of the household shall be based on the recommendation of the assigned case worker,” they said. /dbs

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