KIDAPAWANCITY (March 26/Sunday) – Some 5,000 additional beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programb(4Ps), a poverty reduction strategy implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), waited in line outside a government bank here from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to withdraw their cash grant.
Of this number, some 2,500 were from Makilala town while the rest were from Kidapawan City, Precel Jimena, officer in-charge of the 4Ps in North Cotabato, said.
They constitute the new batch of residents benefiting from the conditional cash transfer program of the Aquino administration, Jimena said.
Most of the beneficiaries brought with them their lunch. Those who queued until 7 pm said they were tired but went home satisfied.
Hilarion Anas, 59, from Barangay Amas, this city, sat while waiting for his turn due to pains in his leg.
“What was important was that I got the cash just in time when I needed it the most,” said Anas, whose wife died recently.
“I am taking care of our grandson. I have no work now,” he said.
Data from the DSWD-12 showed that as of 2011, the beneficiaries from North Cotabato have reached 45,712 households: 10,712 in Pikit; 5,371 in Carmen; 4,285 in Matalam; 3,766 in Alamada; 3,508 in Pigcawayan; 3,313 in Arakan; 2,911 in Aleosan; 2,834 in Magpet; 2,824 in Banisilan; 2,712 in Tulunan; and 948 in Antipas. (Malu Cadelina-Manar/MindaNews)
