Good news to our kababayans! In its effort to address the lack of access to financial services and opportunities for the poor in the country, the DSWD has created the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program as part of its efforts to promote inclusive growth. The TCT aims to provide households with immediate cash grants for productive investments and help build their capacity for self-employment.
Also Read: List of DSWD Programs, Projects and Services
The cash grant aims to allow beneficiaries to invest in their own enterprises, create jobs, and provide better opportunities for themselves and their families. The DSWD also provides livelihood support services to eligible beneficiaries interested in starting their own business, such as entrepreneurship training, micro-finance loans, access to markets and other financial services. Learn more about the DSWD TCT program by reading the sections below.
What is DSWD Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) Assistance
The government of the Philippines committed to provide financial assistance to the poorest households in the country through the DSWD TCT Program, which is aimed at mitigating the effects of inflation, rising fuel prices and commodities. Under the program, the DSWD will provide cash grants to the poorest households for six (6) months.
The program is modeled after the UCT program, which was implemented under the TRAIN Law. The DSWD will serve as the lead agency overseeing the program’s implementation.
As such, the following guideline will help ensure that:
- The 12.4 million households to receive the cash transfer are identified;
- Payroll and institutional arrangements are prepared; and
- Schemes are adopted that will expedite the distribution of cash transfer to beneficiaries.
Legal Bases:
The implementation of the TCT Program is anchored on the following issuances:
- Department of Finance (DOF), DSWD, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1. Series of 2022, General Guidelines for the Implementation of the TCT Program dated June 1, 2022.
- Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated May 2, 2022 on the Implementation of the TCT Program for Vulnerable Households Affected by the
- Recent Oil Price Hike.
Benefits
The program offers a direct cash benefit per month for six (6) months for the poorest households.
- The program will provide cash grants of up to PhP 3,000.00 (or Php 500 per month) to eligible beneficiaries every six months. These grants are intended to help the poorest households in the country. The distribution of these funds is subject to the availability of funds.
- Augment the eligible beneficiaries’ disposable income, which is expected to improve their capacity to meet their basic needs;
- Easy cash distribution scheme through the Landbank of the Philippines
Coverage and Qualifications
- Some 4.0 million identified beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps);
- Some 6.0 million identified non-4Ps households who were previously beneficiaries under the 2018 to 2020 UCT program stipulated under RA 10963 or the TRAIN Law, including beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program; and
- Some 2.4 million households in the database of the Listahan or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or other data sources as applicable, provided that they will fall within the first to fifth income decile of the NHTS-PR.
How to Process DSWD Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT)
- Beneficiaries identified by the DSWD shall receive payments amounting to Php500 per month for six (6) months (except for the months of April-July), in an appropriate manner, as determined by the DSWD, subject to the availability of funds.
- Residents of outlying regions, such as those in disadvantaged and isolated communities, may receive payments in two equal instalments for the entire program’s six-month duplication from other databases. These payments are subject to the approval of the Secretary.
- The schedule of distribution of the Targeted Community Transformation (TCT) program is set by the Inter-agency Committee. In the event that the availability of funds prevents the program from being delivered on time, the IAC may make changes to the schedule.
- The cash grants should be distributed to the beneficiaries through the LBP cash card or their preferred transactional accounts within the second week or month following the TCT payroll period. This circular applies to the cash grants issued under this program. However, due to the system capacity of the LBP, the availability of funds may be subject to change.
- The list of TCT beneficiaries that the DSWD has certified should be forwarded to the LBP. Once the LBP receives the list, it will immediately start distributing the cash grants.
Mode of Payment
The DSWD and/or LBP may distribute TCT cash grants through any combination of following modes:
- LBP Cash Card;
- Crediting to other subsisting LBP Accounts;
- Crediting by LBP for payment to subsisting other bank accounts, as submitted by the beneficiaries to the DSWD, via Instapay or PESOnet;
- Procured services of financial intermediaries, including but not limited to the following:
- Banks (including but not limited to: BDO, BPI, and other banking institutions);
- Non-bank financial institutions (including but not limited to licensed electronic money issuers such as GCash, Paymaya, Starpay, etc.); and
- Remittance centers.
- Direct payout through DSWD Special Disbursing Officers (SDO)
- The LBP cash card is the preferred mode of payment for cash grants. The organization will ensure that the number of cards produced is aligned with the number of beneficiaries according to the provisions of this circular. The payment methods (A through D) enumerated earlier will be subject to a separate memorandum of agreement-implementing guidelines.
Validation Process
DSWD offices’ list of eligible applicants will undergo a validation process. This process will involve the deduplication of 2 checks and eligibility verification.
The appointed offices will perform the eligibility check and certify the application. On the other hand, the deduplication check will be conducted by the UCT-NPMO for select beneficiaries as provided by the official memorandum and the rest by the NHTO. These offices will also seek technical assistance from the ICTMS.
DISBURSEMENT through LBP Cash Cards
The database owner must prepare the TCT cash card’s payroll and submit the necessary documents to the cluster head of operations to ensure eligible beneficiaries. These documents are required to be approved by the DSWD, NEDA, and DBM.
DISBURSEMENT through SDO Payout
The Field Offices shall facilitate the payout for those beneficiaries without LBP cash cards through the SDO.
To facilitate the release of funds through the issuance of Sub-allotment Release Orders and Notices of Transfer of Allocation, the following documents must be submitted:
1. An approved list of payroll that is compliant with Section VIII of this Circular; and
2. A fund request approved by the concerned Cluster Head.
Infographic of DSWD TCT Program
Check out this cool infographic which simplifies the process of understanding what this TCT project is all about:
Special Guidelines for the Implementation of the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) Program Under the Protective Services for Individuals And Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (PSIF)
Here is the memorandum detailing the special guidelines for implementing the Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) program under the PSIF.
https://www.dswd.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MC-09-s.2022.pdf
Video: 1st tranche ng targeted cash transfer, natanggap na ng ilang beneficiary | Saksi
In this video, we see a report of some beneficiaries receiving the first tranche of targeted cash transfers (TCTs) from the DSWD. The government’s targeted cash transfer program aims to provide financial support to the poorest households in the country. It was launched to mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When was the TCT program approved?
In April 2022, President Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order aimed at implementing the targeted cash transfer program. Various government agencies were tasked with overseeing and implementing the program.
2. How much was the proposed budget for the TCT program?
The DBM approved the release of a special allotment order for the Targeted Cash Transfer Program amounting to PHP4.1 billion.
3. How long will the cash program run?
The DSWD will distribute cash grants of up to PHP3,000 or PHP500 per month to individuals under the TCT Program. These grants will be provided for up to six months.
4. What is the difference between the TCT and UCT programs of the DSWD?
UCT provides qualified beneficiaries cash grants computed at Two Hundred Pesos (PhP 200.00) per month for the first year of implementation, and at Three Hundred Pesos (PhP 300.00) per month for each succeeding year of implementation whereas the TCT provides qualified beneficiaries cash grant of up to PHP3,000 or PHP500 per month for six months.
5. How will the cash grants be distributed under the TCT program?
The DSWD has released the guidelines for the distribution of cash grants under the Targeted Cash Transfer Program. These guidelines were issued through a joint memorandum circular between the agency, NEDA, DBM, and Finance.
Summary
The DSWD Targeted Cash Transfer (TCT) is one of the agency’s programs that aims to provide financial support to the poorest households in the country. It was launched to mitigate the effects of inflation and rising fuel prices.
This is exclusive only to the list determined by the DSWD of the poorest households in the country. Only these households are qualified to receive the first tranche of targeted cash transfers (TCT’s) from the DSWD.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the DSWD TCT and how it works.