DavNor taps pastors to hasten 4Ps implementation

DAVAO DEL NORTE – The province of Davao del Norte has utilized the services of the evangelical ministers to beef up the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the province.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario administered the oath of 120 pastors as 4Ps coordinators to help in monitoring the national government’s human development program that provides cash grants for the health and education of extremely poor households, particularly of children aged 0-18 years old.

Buoyed up by the success of the Spiritual and Moral Recovery Program (SMRP) of the province that is being carried out by the pastors, the governor has adopted the ministers to enhance the implementation of the 4Ps program.

The newly-installed minister coordinators come from District 1, while coordinators in District 2 are still being organized.

The governor said the involvement of the pastors strengthens the commitment of the provincial government to the poverty alleviation program, as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by the province with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“We want to be very sure that the 4Ps program will really be delivered to the poor people in the proper way,” he said.

He added that aside from ensuring the commitment of the province in helping deliver support services, to include among others, better education, improved health and sanitation, and livelihood assistance, the role of the pastors will also be most useful in assisting all of the local government units in the provision of value formation.

The governor hoped the presence of the pastors will really help ensure the money that the indigents receive will really be used for its intended purpose.

He stressed the necessity of preventing unscrupulous individuals from victimizing the poor beneficiaries, particularly those who are handling the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions on behalf of the recipients for atrocious fees.

“Let us ensure that the assistance will really reach the rightful beneficiaries,” the governor said.

The DSWD revealed that as of August this year, Davao del Norte has a total of 43,471 beneficiaries of the poverty reduction social development strategy. The families are given 1,400 pesos cash assistance every two months for the whole year. (by Noel Baguio, PIO)