Landbank releases P89.4 billion cash aid

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Land Bank of the Philippines has paid P89.45 billion in financial assistance to more than six million low-income families nationwide from January to September.

Land Bank president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo said P82.72 billion was paid to 4.4 million beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

A total of P6.72 billion was issued to 1.9 million beneficiaries of the unconditional cash transfer program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Borromeo said Landbank would continue with the payout of cash grants from the government.

“Landbank remains one with the national government in the immediate delivery of social protection interventions and much-needed financial relief to vulnerable sectors,” she said.

Borromeo said Landbank would also push through with its efforts to provide cash cards to all beneficiaries of the government’s cash transfer programs.

Meanwhile, the DSWD in Central Visayas is adding 41,091 new 4Ps beneficiaries.

Cebu province has the highest number of new beneficiaries at 34,107; followed by Bohol, 6,956; Negros Oriental, 27, and Siquijor, one.

The number of 4Ps households in Central Visayas is currently at 282,667.

DSWD regional director Rebecca Geamala urged the public to help the agency ensure that only eligible households become part of the program.

The validation and registration are ongoing in various cities and towns in Central Visayas, where copies of the master list of potential 4Ps beneficiaries are posted in conspicuous places.

The DSWD continues to reach more poor households by replacing those that are no longer covered by the program. – Mitchelle Palaubsanon/The Freeman