ODIONGAN, Romblon- A total of 1,139 beneficiaries in four towns of Romblon received cash grants amounting to 2,400.00 each as an aid from the government under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program.

The payout in coordination with Landbank of the Philippines (LBP)- Odiongan branch held in Romblon State University covered court on September 22, 2018, DSWD has disbursed a total of P2,733,600.00 disbursed for 267 beneficiaries in Looc; 104 in Ferrol; 174 in San Andres; and 594 in Odiongan.

UCT is the tax subsidy provided for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law to help the poor cushion the adverse economic impact of the law for three years, starting 2018. For this year, beneficiaries will receive P200 per month or P2,400 for one year. In 2019 and 2020, the subsidy will increase to P300 or P3,600 a year.

“From the 1,570 target beneficiaries identified poor in Listahanan database, only 72.5% was able to claim their grants,” DSWD MIMAROPA OIC Policy and Plans Division Chief Editha B. Ocampo said.

The DSWD official said that some of the beneficiaries failed to bring complete documents during the release and cases of no-show beneficiaries. A new schedule will be set for those unclaimed grants.

Earlier this month, DSWD spearheaded the notification and registration of beneficiaries in the said towns as the pilot area in the province, prior to the payout which was initially scheduled on September 15, 2018. However, it was postponed due to Typhoon Ompong.

“We recognize the support of our partner Romblon local government units down to the barangay level for the UCT program implementation,” Ocampo added.

On the other hand, UCT payout in other towns will be scheduled in the following months either off-site release or through LBP conduits.