A total of 315,681 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are entitled to P2,400 cash grant under the national government’s Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT).

The UCT is a tax subsidy provided under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to help cushion the adverse economic effect of the policy.

Chandelyn Jesselle Rile, OIC-Regional Program Coordinator of 4Ps in Western Visayas, said the region has P757.6 million budget for the tax subsidy.

Already, 87,265 beneficiaries cash card holders of the Land Bank of the Philippines have been released cash grants last March 6. They are mostly from cities like Bacolod, Iloilo and Roxas, she said.

Meanwhile, another batch of 228,416 4Ps beneficiaries will receive their cash grants amounting to P548,198,400 starting April 2. These are beneficiaries who are receiving their subsidies through payroll.

“It will start by first week of April because we are still waiting for the guidelines and agreement between DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), DBM (Department of Budget Management) and LBP (Land Bank of the Philippines) on the release of cash grants for beneficiaries included in the payroll. It is expected to come out last week of March,” she added.

She reminded beneficiaries of their presence during the release of cash grant on the scheduled date as it will only be “one-time.”

Rile said that those who could not come during the releasing due to an emergency should coordinate with their respective municipal links so they could provide options.

She said that the subsidy could be released to the husband, wife or the child of the beneficiary, provided they comply with requirements such as the identification card and authorization letter.

Rile said that they have not yet received complaints from 4Ps beneficiaries on the effects of TRAIN law. (PNA)