RDC Checks on 4Ps Aeta Grantees
CASTILLEJOS, Zambales — Project Monitoring Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Central Luzon visited Aeta communities in Castillejos who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In a message read by Institutional Development Division Officer-In-Charge Armont Pecina, DSWD Regional Director Adelina Apostol said the project visit was an opportunity to assess the present situation of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in the province.
“We hope that this visit will help our partner agencies in assessing the needs of our IPs so they can formulate appropriate and clear steps on how to respond to these needs in order to further improve their condition,”
Apostol said.
She encouraged the IPs to fully cooperate with partner agencies as well as the municipal government to nourish the seed of a new and improved community towards the full implementation of the program in achieving a better quality of life.
For his part, Castillejos Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez expressed gratitude to DSWD and the RDC for giving attention to the programs directed to those belonging to the Aeta communities.
“I am happy and proud to say that our indigenous beneficiaries here are really doing their best in order to comply with the conditions of the program. We are proud to say that here in Castillejos, we can ensure you of the efficient delivery of the government programs and services even to the poorest of the poor and in the far-flung areas of the town,” Dominguez shared.
The local chief executive, however, reminded the beneficiaries that they must still strive and should not at all times rely solely on the assistance that the government provides them.
A consultation between the Aetas and the monitoring team transpired where queries regarding the 4Ps, as well as other issues were raised, clarified and answered.
4Ps provides cash grants of P1,400 per month during school months from June to March and P500 per month during non-school months from April to May or P300 per child per month as education grant and P500 per household per month as health grant to household beneficiaries as long as they comply with certain conditions like the regular visit of children in health centers to avail immunization and maintenance of a class attendance rate of at least 85 percent per month for those who are enrolled in day-care centers or schools.
RDC 3 is the highest policy-making body in Central Luzon and serves as the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority Board at the subnational level.
It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region and serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.
Council members include all governors, city mayors, municipal mayors of capital towns, presidents of municipal mayors’ league, regional directors of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector. (CLJD/MJLS-PIA 3)
