SOME 12.4 million beneficiaries of the Targeted Cash Transfer program (TCT) will receive this week their P500 cash aid that the government earlier promised to help the poor cope with the rising prices of commodities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Sunday said the distribution of the cash aid will start on Monday, July 4, 2022.

He said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called him up on Saturday to inquire when the financial aid will be given.

“Tumawag po sa akin nitong Sabado si Pangulong BBM para kumustahin kung kailan maibibigay ang ayuda ng mga tao, sabi ko, ‘Sa Lunes ng umaga po, Sir.’ (President BBM called me up on Saturday to inquire when the cash aid would be given to the people, and I said, ‘On Monday morning, Sir’),”Tulfo said.

The TCT program covers the poorest families. Former president Rodrigo Duterte issued the directive on the grant of the financial assistance last May, but funds were made available only last Friday.

The Department of Budget and Management released P6.2 billion for the monthly assistance.

Tulfo said the process of depositing the money to the beneficiaries’ cash cards will start on Monday and is expected to be finished by Friday or Saturday.

The TCT program will be implemented by the DSWD for six months to help poor families amid the soaring prices of fuel and basic commodities.

The beneficiaries who will receive assistance consist of 4 million families from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); 6 million non-4Ps who were former beneficiaries of the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program; and 2.4 families on the DSWD’s poverty list.

Tulfo appealed to the beneficiaries to put their grant to good use by buying food and other needed necessities.

“Para ito sa pamilya ninyo kaya’t hiling ko ay gamitin niyo ito sa ayos at huwag sayangin sa anumang ilegal na bagay,” he said.

He warned that using the money in illegal activities, such as gambling, may result in the forfeiture of the grants.