Landbank, DSWD tap GCash for cash transfer scheme in remote areas

MANILA, Philippines – GCash Remit, the domestic cash pick-up service of Globe Telecom, was tapped by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the pilot implementation of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program in the far-flung areas of Balabac and Taytay in Palawan, and Burdeos, Quezon.

DSWD, Landbank and Globe, through its wholly-owned mobile commerce subsidiary G-Xchange Inc (GXI), went to pilot-run the disbursement of CCT cash grants to around 10,000 beneficiaries using GCash Remit.

The CCT cash grants are given to poor families by Landbank, either as over-the-counter payment, cash cards (ATMs) or through off-site payments. However, for far-flung areas like Balabac, Taytay and Burdeos, Landbank has tapped the use of GCash Remit to distribute the CCTs.

“By utilizing GCash Remit, families in remote villages don’t have to shell out money to travel just to get their monthly CCT cash grants. GCash Remit brings the money closer to them through its wide network of outlets in a safe and secure manner,” Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said.

Cu noted that Globe GCash is all about providing financial services to people at the base of the economic pyramid. “By partnering in this program, Globe GCash is able to serve those living in far-flung areas that traditional financial services cannot reach,” he added.

The CCT program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is a vital component of the government’s poverty alleviation agenda. 4Ps aims to help the country’s poorest families by providing cash assistance in order to allow family members to get health, nutrition and education provided they comply with certain conditions like attending school, regular health check-ups and vaccinations.

GCash Remit will also be used to disburse cash grants in the following areas: Albay, Aklan, Aurora, Cebu, Iloilo, Lanao del Norte, Masbate, Sarangani, Sorsogon and others. –Mary Ann LL. Reyes (The Philippine Star)