Caraga: Eighty-six beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Caraga Region have transitioned from traditional to digital transfer of their cash grants, the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13) said on Tuesday. The beneficiaries, from various towns in Agusan del Sur, received their smartphones and digital wallets during the rollout of the ‘e-PANALO Ang Kinabukasan’ program on Monday, the agency added.

According to Philippines News Agency, most of these 4Ps beneficiaries are identified under Level 1 or survival category and residing in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas. Under the program, the beneficiaries will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to receive their cash grants through digital platforms.

DSWD Assistant Secretaries Marites Maristela and Ellaine Fallarcuna, along with DSWD-13 Director Mari-Flor Dollaga and Agusan del Sur Vice Governor Patricia Anne Plaza, led the program rollout at the provincial capitol in Prosperidad town. Representatives from the DSWD program partners, including Globe Telecom, GCash, the Ayala Foundation, and the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, were also present at the event.

Aside from the SIM cards and smartphones, the program partners from the private sector also provided the beneficiaries with orientation on financial literacy and digital financial services, the DSWD-13 said.