In response to the directive of the President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to strengthen the country’s conditional cash transfer program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall be providing rice subsidy to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The rice subsidy shall be given to Pantawid beneficiaries in the form of cash grant on top of their regular grants which are intended for health and education.

A total amount of P7,200 per year or P600 per month per household rice subsidy in cash shall be given to beneficiaries provided that they are active and compliant with the conditionalities of the program. These conditions include school attendance of at least 85% per month for children enrolled in the elementary or high school. Children aged 5 and below would need to undergo preventive check-up as mandated by the Department of Health (DoH), while children enrolled in the elementary must receive deworming pills twice within the school year. On the other hand pregnant women must receive pre and post natal care based on DoH’s protocol. Lastly, parent/s or guardians are required to attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).

This additional subsidy shall be given on a bi-monthly period along with the release of educational and health grants.

Qualified beneficiaries include (i) those who are registered in Pantawid Pamilya Information System; (ii) victims of natural and man-made disasters rendered homeless with no means of livelihood; (iii) indigenous peoples who are in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas; (iv) homeless street families; and (v) transitioning households whose level of well-being have improved but still at risk of subsequent falling back into survival level as they precariously live with little or no buffer against economic shocks.

The provision of rice subsidy conforms to the mandate and vision of the DSWD to make our country and the Filipinos free of hunger and poverty.

Pantawid Pamilya is a social protection program of the national government. It invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 18 and below.