KALIBO, Aklan, February 5 (PIA)—The Provincial Government of Aklan is set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) this month in Malacanang Palace with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to ten more municipalities in the province.

Initially, the program was implemented in the province’ 4 towns here – Libacao, Madalag, Buruanga, and Balete with a total of P68,461,900 released as of this period.

The amount is the conditional cash grant for education, health and food benefiting 6,931 Aklanon families.

Aklan Governor Marquez, who shared the information of the forthcoming MOA signing during his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA), said the additional towns to be included in the program are Malinao, Altavas, Batan, Tangalan, Ibajay, Makato, Nabas, Banga, New Washington and Malay.

The expanded coverage of the program in these towns will benefit 18, 450 beneficiaries.

Under the program, a household could avail of a maximum of P1,400 each month if the household has three school age children regularly going to school who will get P300.00 each for their educational expenses. The mother, on the other hand, gets P500.00 monthly to spend for household and other needs of the family.

Meanwhile, the DSWD is currently implementing its Self-Assistance Kaunlaran (SEAK) program in the province benefiting poor individuals possessing entrepreneurial skills by providing non-collateral and interest-free seed capital.

As of December 10, 2010, Governor Marquez said a total of 139 SEA-K projects were established all over the province, involving 3,660 members, and with a total amount of P17,079,500 already disbursed.

For senior citizens of Aklan, the provincial government has allocated in this year’s budget death aid for members – and a monthly honorarium for the officers of the association.

The province also provides a medical assistance of P1,000 for any senior citizen confined at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

 

The DSWD’s Katas Ng VAT, Tulong Para Kay Lolo at Lola, has also released a total amount of P1,016,000 in 2010 to 2,032 beneficiaries. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)