The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started giving mobile phones to selected members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Metro Manila. The distribution began on Tuesday, March 18.
In the first batch, 51 4Ps members from Malabon and Navotas received phones. These members are in the “survival level” category and have asked to switch from cash cards to digital payments, according to DSWD.
Gemma Gabuya, the national program manager for 4Ps, said the phones will help beneficiaries access financial services safely and easily.
“The 4Ps program promotes financial education and digital literacy. These phones will help members apply what they learned in family development sessions (FDS) and connect to financial services,” Gabuya said.
DSWD plans to distribute phones to 32,684 households across the country, focusing on the poorest families and those in remote areas.
To make this possible, DSWD partnered with private companies, including G-Xchange Inc. (GCash), Globe Telecom, BPI Foundation, and the Ayala Foundation. These groups are helping by providing digital tools and financial education to 4Ps beneficiaries.
Last year, DSWD announced it would start using e-wallets to help 4Ps members in remote areas who do not have access to ATMs.
The 4Ps program is a major government effort to reduce poverty and improve social services. In 2024, it supported more than four million households, according to DSWD data.
