Palawan is now part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) effort to streamline the distribution of financial assistance to low-income households by providing them with smartphones and digital literacy training.
On May 29, the department gave cellphones to 256 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from Bataraza and Brooke’s Point.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian oversaw the event, which encouraged 4Ps recipients to learn how to use the GCash app to get government assistance in a more contemporary way.
The distribution was under the “E-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” initiative.
Among those who received the free smartphones were 4Ps beneficiaries from the municipalities of Brooke’s Point and Bataraza, including members of indigenous peoples (IPs) communities.
“Nauunawaan namin na ATM ang gamit ninyo para makuha ang cash grants ninyo, at malalayo ang inyong lugar. Minsan, sa pagkakaunawa namin, apat na oras papunta sa pinakamalapit na ATM, apat na oras pabalik—walong oras suma total,” Gatchalian told the beneficiaries.
“Ang good news ngayon, dahil sa teknolohiya, pwede na nating hindi gawin yan lahat,” ani Gatchalian sa programa sa bayan ng Bataraza,” he added.
After the smartphone distribution, Gatchalian also congratulated the graduating 4Ps members from the two towns in a ceremony called “Pugay Tagumpay,” held at the Bataraza Town Center.
Accompanying Gatchalian in Bataraza, Palawan for the activity were DSWD Assistant Secretaries Marites Maristela and Irene Dumlao, along with DSWD-MIMAROPA Regional Director Leonardo Reynoso.
Also present were local officials and partners from Globe, Gcash, Ayala Foundation, and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Foundation.
