GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 will remove at least 397 beneficiaries covered by the state’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program.

Kristin De Pedro, DSWD 12 project development officer II for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,  said  their removal  was part of the recertification process wherein social workers will determine if they still need to receive the financial assistance from the government.

“All our beneficiaries were subjected to recertification.  The 397 families will be given six months by the Central office upon receiving the notice to appeal before their formal termination in the program,” De Pedro said.

“If they were removed, it only shows they are already above poverty line,” she added.

Under CCT,  the government allocates grants amounting to P500 to P1, 400 for each beneficiary household, depending on the number of eligible children. Each family is allowed a maximum of three children to receive the monthly benefits provided they have to stay in school and maintain class attendance of at least 85 percent each month.

At the same time, pregnant women are also required to avail pre- and post-natal care, and delivery must be assisted by skilled health personnel, while parents are mandatory to take “family development sessions” to enable them to become better parents. (JBM/DSWD SMS)