The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) has started to release the 2020 Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) grant to 83,596 Social Pension beneficiaries in the region.

As of 4 June 2021, a total 836 out of the 1,411 beneficiaries from Baguio, that is the first batch for distribution, were able to receive their grant through a cash card. This strategy was implemented to ensure minimal contact and continuous financial inclusion of the beneficiaries who are senior citizens.

Each beneficiary was given a Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) cash card pre-loaded with the PhP 3,600 grant that they can withdraw at any LBP automated teller machine.

The breakdown of beneficiaries per province are as follows: Abra 19,983; Apayao 9,604; Benguet including Baguio City 18,395; Ifugao 13,822; Kalinga 12,908; and Mountain Province 8,884.

“We will be working closely with our partners such as the LBP and the local government units to facilitate the release of the cash cards to all our qualified beneficiaries.  Our beneficiaries will be notified of the schedule of distribution through their Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs under the Local Social Welfare and Development Office”, said DSWD FO CAR Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II.

The distribution is a joint undertaking of the DSWD, the LBP and the local government units.

“We would also like to remind our beneficiaries to continuously adhere to health and safety protocols even during the distribution activity. The success of our activity does not only reflect on the number of beneficiaries who were able to receive the assistance but also on ensuring that they are well and are able to use the grant responsibly”, Director Garcia added.

The DSWD and the LBP will coordinate on the upcoming payout activities for individuals who were not able to claim their cash cards on their schedule. Upcoming payout activities will be scheduled and coordinated with respective local government units.

The UCT program is provided for under Republic Act No. 10963 or the TRAIN law that seeks to mitigate the impact of the increase in prices of basic commodities due to the implementation of the TRAIN law. #DSWD FO CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva-Trinidad  with Brenden Quintos