DSWD says delivering rice subsidies via cash grants still more practical, efficient

Transcript

00:00 Qualified and deserving 4P recipients of DSWD cash subsidies would rather convert such payouts

00:07 to their corresponding weight in rice, and rightfully so given the volatile rice price

00:12 fluctuations over the last few months, which hit a high of 22% last month. Then again, this is

00:19 easier said than done given the logistical challenges entailed that our Joshua Garcia details.

00:27 With the recent proposal of the Department of Agriculture to President Ferdinand R. Marcos

00:31 Jr. to convert the cash aid given to 4P beneficiaries into rice assistance from

00:36 the National Food Authority, since this will ease the pressure of paying highly priced grains,

00:40 the Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD said, "The present approach of delivering

00:45 rice subsidies via cash grants through the Pantawid Pamilyam Pilipina Program or 4Ps

00:50 cash card is a more practical and efficient method for both the DSWD and 4P recipients.

00:56 Instead of providing cash, the Department of Agriculture recommends distributing rice to

01:00 the beneficiaries of 4Ps. According to the DA, distributing rice can help alleviate its high

01:06 prices. In January, rice inflation rate exceeded 22%, the highest in the past 14 years.

01:12 "So we will take them out in the price pressures of the market in terms of buying high price rice.

01:20 These are 20% all over the country which are the vulnerable poor under DSWD that is

01:27 beneficiary for 4Ps and we're giving them money and unfortunately because that is not rice,

01:34 they're going to buy rice in the market price and that put pressure and inflationary in the market."

01:41 On the other hand, the public has differing opinions on this matter.

01:45 "Of course, in school, there's always a project, right? For the kids,

01:53 that's how it is. And rice, do you love your child to give rice? And the money for 4Ps,

02:01 how will you get it? You'll get it through." "My favorite there is rice. We won't say the

02:07 money, maybe later we'll give the money to our parents, 'Mom, just buy alcohol,

02:12 just buy sugar.' Rice is more important to me because you need food there."

02:17 Despite opposing views, the DSWD still welcomes suggestions of other concerned agencies as long

02:24 as it will help improve the service they provide to their beneficiaries. Meanwhile, eligible 4Ps

02:29 members are granted a monthly rice subsidy of 600 pesos in addition to their education and health

02:34 grants. This is subject to compliance with specified behavioral conditions, including

02:39 ensuring their children attend school, having them regularly checked for their health, and

02:44 actively participating in family development sessions or FDS.

02:47 Joshua Garcia for the National TV Network, for ANEW, in Better Republic.