KORONADAL, Philippines – The central government is planning to increase the grants of beneficiaries under conditional cash transfer program, a senior government official said Monday.

Bai Zorahayda T. Taha, regional director of Department of Social Welfare and Development, said due to swelling of food prices the administration of President Benigno Aquino III is planning to add the monthly cash grants of people under the state’s anti-poverty program.

In region 12, more than 217,000 household covered by the program.

Under its conditions, the CCT allocates grants P500 to P1, 400 for each beneficiary households, depending on the number of eligible children. Each family is allowed a maximum of three children to receive the monthly benefits.

It calls children aged 3 to 14 to stay in school and maintain class attendance of at least 85 percent each month. Pregnant women are also required to avail pre- and post-natal care, and delivery must be assisted by a skilled health personnel, while parents are mandatory to take “family development sessions” to enable them to become better parents. Malacañang’s goal is to enlist more 2.34 million families into the program.

“We are investing in the future of children by giving assistance to poor households so they can continue sending their children to school and provide them proper health care and nutrition,” Taha said. (End)