Payout of 4Ps in Ifugao to resume after probe
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera assured beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Tinoc, Ifugao that payout of their cash grants will resume after the investigation of robbery incident involving the 4Ps fund.
This is after the P2.7-million fund intended for some 1,269 beneficiaries in Tinoc was lost to robbers in Kiangan, Ifugao while the payout fund is being transported on May 21.
In a statement from DSWD-CAR on May 23, the department assured the payout will be rescheduled once the local government unit and the Philippine National Police (PNP) finish the investigation.
DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet Armas said with the opening of classes on June 4 for public schools, the 4Ps beneficiaries are waiting for the cash grants to be released to buy school supplies for their children.
“DSWD-CAR apologizes for the inconvenience that the incident may cause. We are maintaining close coordination with LBP on the reschedule of payout. Once ready, we will immediately provide our beneficiaries information on the release,” Armas explained.
Reports from Kiangan Municipal Police Station state that Marlon Padolnaton Guimangad, Chester Bulayo Guanzon and Jeffrey Humiwat Buhyag reported that they were held up. They told the police that they were riding their motorcycle at around 2:10 in the morning of May 21 when three suspects wearing face masks and with guns blocked their way along Sitio Indalmogan in Barangay Julingan, Kiangan, Ifugao.
DSWD-CAR said Guimangad, Guanzon and Buhyag are personnel of Lagawe Multi-Purpose Development Cooperative (LMDC), a local conduit of the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP). Landbank is a partner of DSWD in the release of cash grants to 4Ps beneficiaries since the start of the implementation of the program in 2008.
“We’re praying that this incident will be resolved soon. And if possible, retrieve the money,” Armas said.
The police are still investigating the incident. DIONISIO DENNIS JR / ABN
