MINDANAO, Philippines, March 5 – The central government spent more than USD 60.9 million for Pantawid Pamilya, the country’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in Mindanao, southern Philippines, a senior social welfare official reported Tuesday.

Zorahayda Taha, regional director of Department of Social Welfare and Development, said that the money were used for the cash grants of 202, 851 households covered by the government's flagship poverty alleviation program since 2008.

“We are happy to report that children of poor families are now enjoying better access to education and better health services,” Taha said.

“Our government is sincere in its campaign no one gets left behind in terms achieving holistic and inclusive growth,” she added.

Assistant regional director Gemma Rivera, also project manager for CCT, welcomed the World Bank’s recent findings that show the program on tract in terms of meeting goals keeping Children Healthy and in School.

The World Bank also cited that CCT is on track to achieve its objectives of promoting investments in the health and education of children while providing immediate financial support to poor families.

Under World Bank’s report, “Philippines Conditional Cash Transfer Program, Impact Evaluation 2012,” it confirms that children of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are enrolling and attending schools, with improved health due to regular visits to health stations, and pregnant mothers getting proper care.

The CCT program provides direct education and health subsidies for families who comply with certain conditions, including regular school attendance for children and regular health centre visits for mothers.

Three children aged 14 and below are given 6.9 USD a month each while the mother receives 11.6 USD monthly for every family chosen to benefit under the CCT.

Globally, there have been CCTs since the late 1990s with good results in Third World countries like Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Honduras, and Turkey. (End)