Cash grants from Pantawid Pamilya seem to have increased economic activity of the Pantawid Pamilya-covered communities, as rare shoppers are also now seen trooping in stores. Merlyn Bantilo, 43, a sari-sari store owner in H. Las Navas, Northern Samar (with a poverty incidence of 53.27%) is one of the micro-entrepreneurs who experienced economic gains and observed the same in many residents of their community.

“Sadto, waray gud mamaralit ha ak tindahan. It mga utang lugod ha ak tindahan in nagtitikadako kontra hit akon kita kay waray man igbaralyo it ak mga amyaw. (Previously, customers are very rare. In fact, my neighbors’ debts are greater than my sales),” said Merlyn. She observed that from the usual 5-10 customers, she now has 15-20 regular customers per day. The profit also increased to about P150 a day and even higher during release of cash grants when most beneficiaries purchase in bulk. The surge in the local small-scale industry promises boost in investments and returns in Las Navas, home to 3, 135 household beneficiaries.

It is a fact that a rolling economy is a manifestation of a country’s stability in helping improve the lives of the underprivileged sectors. With the Pantawid Pamilya turning its poor beneficiaries into empowered consumers, it gradually helps inject vitality in the glaring economic depression in the local economy.

Apart from increased consumption, the intended results of Pantawid Pamilya in terms of encouraging poor households to invest in health and education are also beginning to be felt. A recent study of the Social Weather Station on Pantawid Pamilya revealed improvements in school attendance, use of health services, immunization coverage, child nutrition, and knowledge of maternal health services. Enrollment rate for beneficiaries 6-14 years old is considered high at 96% . Meanwhile, compliance with attendance among school age beneficiaries is also high at 88%, meaning that out of approximately 5 million children registered in the program, 88% are able to attend classes 85% of the time (following an every two-month cycle).

Impact studies of the SWS and Ateneo de Manila University also revealed that more students and parents attend extra-curricular activities, students come to school with better clothing, project materials, and food making them more active in classrooms. It is also noteworthy that Pantawid Pamilya plays a major role in reducing child labor especially in rural areas because many poor parents are now able to send their children to school.

Given the proximity of schools to households especially in rural areas, it is indeed a feat going to school when you are poor.  Rannie Mendua, a 12-year-old boy from San Narciso, Quezon attested how Pantawid Pamilya helps in his education. “Dati, nahihiya ako humingi ng pera para sa project kasi alam ko wala kaming pera.  Buti may Pantawid Pamilya, kasi ngayon pwede na ko makatapos ng eskwela at hindi na ako naglalakad papasok, pwede na ako mag-tricycle. (Before, I am hesistant to ask money from my parents for school projects because I know we don’t have the money. Fortunately, with Pantawid Pamilya, I can finish school.  I don’t have to walk to school because now I can ride the tricycle),” he gratefully narrated.

Pantawid Pamilya, in convergence with sustainable livelihood program and KALAHI-CIDSS, seeks to invest in human development through a holistic approach in order to provide support in all phases of vulnerability and to ensure sustainability that will roll-out not only in local communities but in national development.  The sustainable livelihood provides guaranteed employment and capital for microenterprise ventures of the beneficiaries and KALAHI-CIDSS targets the development and empowerment of the communities.