The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday clarified that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will continue to receive their grants and rice subsidy through their cash cards amid enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, emphasizing that only 4Ps activities that require mass gathering are suspended.

In a press release, DSWD also reiterated that program beneficiaries with Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) cash cards may withdraw their grants on March 24, 26, 28, and April 4.

Cash grants credited through the EMV card may be withdrawn from any Land Bank of the Philippines Automated Teller Machines (LBP-ATMs) or any ATM subject to minimal charges.

Beneficiaries may also use their EMV cards in establishments that receive payment through point-of-sale or POS.

Meanwhile, DSWD said it is exploring alternative means to distribute cash grants to beneficiaries who have yet to receive their EMV cash cards. 4Ps City and Municipal Links will cascade the announcement of release once finalized.

Other 4Ps activities that are temporarily suspended are the conduct of the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) and the assessment of household beneficiaries using the Social Welfare and Development Indicators, and over-the-counter payouts.

DSWD said it also waived the program conditionalities for the months of February and March following the signing of the resolution on Force Majeure.

Under Rule VIII, Section 15 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) 11310 or the 4Ps Act, the secretary of DSWD may suspend the monitoring of compliance of beneficiaries to program conditionalities under “force majeure” circumstances.

This means that beneficiaries will be receiving their full grants for the said period sans compliance to program conditions.

Amid this health emergency, DSWD said it continues to look into different modes of providing social services without prejudice to public health and safety. (PR)