In an article released November 3, 2014 in manilastandardtoday.com entitled “Poor people lose 4Ps cash grant”, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) wants to clarify inaccurate information about the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya.

There are beneficiaries specified in the article who supposedly complained about the implementation of the program in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro: May Ann Usman and Emma Constantino of Barangay Ibaba East and Mylene Salih of Barangay Ibaba West.

The name May Ann Usman does not exist in the DSWD Regional Office database/list of the program. Thus, the statement that she is not receiving the cash grant in full amount cannot be validated by the DSWD staff. Second, on Emma Constantino’s claim of calling the number 0918-912-2813, it is an official text hotline of the program and only accepts text messages. Also, she is not eligible to the program anymore since May 2013 because her children are now in college. Third, it is true that Mylene Salih did not receive her full amount of cash grant from July-October 2014 since she failed to update one of her child’s school facility. The regional office already updated her child’s school address and now in process for retroactive payment.

On Mayor Arnan Panaligan of Calapan City as quoted many times in the article. In a text message sent by his office, Mayor Panaligan understands that the local government units have no hold in the identification of beneficiaries, releasing of cash grants and overall implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya. He also refuted the instances in the report as he was cited as the one complaining about the program. He said that he merely told the reporter that he will relay the complaints to DSWD. Mayor Panaligan added that his office does not receive any similar complaints. The DSWD respects the opinion of Mayor Panaligan on Pantawid Pamilya.

Moreover, the DSWD does not condone any unfounded statement from its staff. It even encourages anyone to report any misconduct and grievance against DSWD staff for investigation and proper handling.

With the above mentioned clarification, the Department asks that our partners from the media only reports accurate and well-researched information to avoid misleading views of the program implementation.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program that helps uplift the lives of its beneficiaries by ensuring healthy children from ages 0-18 go to school and finish their high school. Along with the various programs and services, DSWD will improve and continue to provide quality service to the poor and vulnerable sectors and achieve better change that its client’s seek and ultimately the society. ###