Socioeconomic intermediations of conditional cash transfer to low-income earners in western mindanao, philippines

Abstract

The Philippines’ Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), locally known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is the government's flagship socio-economic program. The 4Ps are at the heart of the Philippine government's poverty reduction and social protection strategy. The study discovered an increase in financial-seeking behavior among 4Ps beneficiaries through a simple survey and interview with one hundred fifty-seven (157) 4Ps beneficiaries in two (2) selected communities in Western Mindanao. This study aimed to ascertain CCT beneficiaries' developmental status in terms of a) socioeconomic interventions, b) the nature of benefits, particularly medical and educational assistance, and c) CCT beneficiaries' perceptions of poverty. The study discovered an increase in financial-seeking behavior among CCT respondent-beneficiaries; the program was expanded to include permanently employed beneficiaries who earned stable incomes; education and health service utilization did not improve significantly; and finally, the poverty index remained a problem. Thus, the study recommended massive and long-term livelihood programs and training, particularly for CCT beneficiaries without a permanent job and income, to foster expansive and extensive development of skills, crafts, and sustainability in financial and socioeconomic demands; second, a review of the CCT beneficiaries profiles is strongly recommended to serve the government's mission of serving the poorest; and finally, an enormous need is identified for financial literacy and counseling services from social workers, economists, and psychologists.