TWO thousand four hundred ninety-six (2,496) grantees of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Estancia, Iloilo lined up to receive their conditional cash grants at the Municipal Hall on December 12, 2013.

Assistant Regional Director Joel P. Galicia of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI (DSWD6) said a total of P5,133,200 was released to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya through its partner conduit, the Philpost.

“The cash grant covered the Period 5 or the months of September and October 2013,” said Galicia, who is also the Deputy Program Manager of Pantawid Pamilya.

“Each household with three qualified children who are attending school will receive a maximum of P2,800 for two months. This translates to P500 per month for health and nutrition, and P300 per child per school month for education,” he added.

The municipality of Estancia was covered by Pantawid Pamilya in 2012 covering all its 25 barangays. To date, DSWD6 records show that more than P44.5 million has been released to the Program beneficiaries since 2012 to August 2013.

Pantawid Pamilya is the national government’s flagship poverty alleviation program lead-implemented by the DSWD. The program covers poor families with children aged 14 years old and below.

Cash grants are released every two months. Beneficiaries may avail of the grant provided that they comply with the conditions. These include availing of regular health care services by pregnant women and children, posting at least 85% school attendance among 3-14 years old children, and attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS).

To date, Pantawid Pamilya covers 303,648 households in Western Visayas.  Of this, Aklan has 26, 562 covered households; Antique with 28, 127; Capiz with 37,353; Guimaras with 7,868; Iloilo with 88,711; and Negros Occidental with 115,027. (DSWD6/Alma Jornadal-Estember)