Conditional cash aid to benefit 2.6 million poor families, says Soliman

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced yesterday that it would continue to extend cash assistance to the poorest of the poor as part of the poverty reduction program of President Aquino.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman told reporters during the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel yesterday that at least 2.6 million families from the country’s poorest sector will benefit from the government’s conditional cash transfer program in 2011.

“This is in line with President Aquino’s efforts to combat poverty at the roots and ensure that the marginalized families have something to spend for their children’s food, education, and medication,” she said.

Soliman said they are now reviewing the list of beneficiaries to ensure that only those who are really poor will avail themselves of the cash assistance, particularly those in far-flung areas.

The former Arroyo administration initially implemented the program in 2008, assisting a total of 900,000 families by the end of the former president’s term last June 30.

The financial assistance varies depending on the size of the family and if the children are going to school, with each student entitled to P500 per month. The maximum cash grant could reach up to P1,400.

Soliman said the government is targeting to reduce the poverty level from the current 33 percent to 24 percent by the year 2015. –Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star)