Cebu City — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Sunday, February 24, led the distribution of cash grants to the beneficiaries of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program in the city of Cebu.
At least 1,500 UCT beneficiaries gathered at Cebu Technological University (CTU) gymnasium here to receive the cash grants.
UCT is a social welfare benefit provided under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which seeks to provide 10 million indigent beneficiaries with cash assistance amounting to P200 per month totaling P2,400 for 2018 and P300 per month totaling P3,600 for 2019 and 2020.
The 10 million beneficiaries are households or individuals registered under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Social Pension Program and the Listahanan or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
The distribution of grants led by the President was intended for the additional 2,536 qualified beneficiaries of Listahanan in the province of Cebu. However, only 1,531 individuals attended the event due to venue constraints.
The President was assisted by Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista and Land Bank of the Philippines East Visayas Group First Vice President Delma Bandiola during the ceremonial handover of cash grants to 10 beneficiaries in the city.
UCT grants are transferred through the existing Land Bank account or cash card of the recipients while those without cash card or ATM card can get their money through scheduled and coordinated pay-out.
In his speech, President Duterte reiterated his resolve to rid the country of corruption and illegal drugs. “Under my term as President, this is the most dangerous time for anybody to be playing with drugs,” he said.
He noted that illegal drug proliferation in Cebu has never gone down.
“There will be a time that I will catch you. And you are trying to destroy my country. Do not destroy my country because I will kill you. Do you understand?,” he added.
Also, the President stressed that the administration has been addressing the needs of Filipinos such as free education, health care, and social assistance.
He then called on the government workers to continue serving the people with utmost dedication, honesty, and humility and help him in making the country more progressive.
“We are workers of government and we work for the people,” he said.
“As I have said before, the presidency is a gift from God. I should not waste it because not everyone is given this kind of opportunity,” he added. ###PND
