Davao City (DSWD XI) -The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI through its Grievance Redress System (GRS) Committee warns its beneficiaries that pawning of their automated teller machine (ATM) cards or cash cards is strictly prohibited.

The GRS guideline under Misbehavior of Beneficiaries clearly states that, “Cash Cards, Pantawid Identification Cards or Kasabutan are not allowed to be used as collateral in loans,” Pantawid Regional Grievance Redress Sytem Focal Odyssa Esther K. Matas stressed.

“On the first offense, members will be subjected to counselling and must promise not to commit the offence again. Habitual offenders will be subject for cash grants suspension or referred for delisting depending on the assessment of the Municipal Link and the Social Worker in-charge,” Matas said.

The GRS guideline under Misbehavior of Beneficiaries which is supported by the approved policy of the Pantawid National Advisory Committee (NAC), states that other offenses of beneficiary or inappropriate utilization of the grants such as but not limited to gambling, vices, pawning and/or collateral and selling of Cash Cards and/or Pantawid Pamilya IDs, using and/or spending grants for purposes other than those intended for education and health needs of the family are all subject to appropriate sanctions.

In 2018, there were 186 beneficiaries who were reported violators of this guideline. The regional office has already placed sanctions to these beneficiaries.

Pantawid Pamilya recipients were also reminded to comply with other conditions of the program to avoid getting low entitlements.

“We urge the parents to give priority to the needs of their children especially to their education and health needs,” Matas said.

“We also ask the cooperation of the general public to report all grievances in their area through their City/Municipal Link or via text message: 4PS[space]REKLAMO[space]NAME[space]Message and send to 0918-912-2813. They can also message us through our Facebook Page “DSWD Region XI”, Matas urged.

To date there are 254,727 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Davao Region. (DSWD)