MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday led the distribution of free smartphones for the poorest beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The agency said around 30,000 level 1 members, or the poorest of the poor 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide, will receive a smartphone unit.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said this was designed to help them receive their conditional cash grants through e-wallets.

"Bahagi ng plataporma ng ating Pangulo ang digitalization, gusto namin na yung 4Ps beneficiaries natin, hindi na lang sila sa ATM nakakatanggap ng grant, kundi ngayon usong-uso ang e-wallet. Mas mabilis, mas convenient," Gatchalian said.

(One of the President's platforms is digitalization. We want 4Ps beneficiaries to receive their cash grants not just through ATM but also through e-wallets as they are more convenient.)

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"Hindi na sila lalayo para mag-withdraw ng grant kasi sa probinsya, minsan ang nearest ATM nasa apat o limang oras mula kung saan sila nakatira," he added.

(Beneficiaries need not to travel far to get their grants. In the provinces, sometimes the nearest ATM is 4-5 hours away from their homes.)

The program was in partnership with a telco and an e-wallet company, aimed to promote digital literacy among the poorest families.

"Natuklasan natin na yung pinakamahihirap na ating kababayan na bahagi ng 4Ps, walang smartphones. Merong phone pero analog," Gatchalian added.

(We found out that our poorest countrymen do not have smartphones. They have phones but these are analog phones.)

Gatchalian clarified no taxpayer money was spent to purchase smartphones for the 4Ps beneficiaries.

He said their private partners held donation drives to facilitate the phone distribution. The smartphones given were brand new.

Most of the smartphone recipients will come from geographically isolated communities who have little access to ATMs.

Recipients of the smartphones said these will be of great help to them.

"Malaking bagay po kasi mas mapapadali po ang pagkuha ng 4Ps grant, mas madali talaga," said Rita Ramirez, 4Ps beneficiary from Malabon.

(It is of big help to us in receiving the grants. It would be easier.)

"Masaya po kasi nakakatuwa kasi kasama kami sa first batch ng nakatanggap ng smartphone. Magagamit din sa pang araw-araw," said Judy Balictar, another beneficiary.

(We are happy because we are part of the first batch to receive a smartphone.)

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