45 beneficiaries of 4Ps found pawning cash cards in Pangasinan

At least 45 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Calasiao, Pangasinan have pawned their cash cards, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

The DSWD said these beneficiaries are currently on hold which means they cannot withdraw money from their cash cards, according to Joan Punsoy’s GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon report which aired on “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

“Kapag nire-report nila na nawala, most probably malaki ang chances na yung ATM is isinangla nila pag sinasabi nila na wala. Yung household na yun or barangay na yun may history ng pagsasanla,” Michael John Ubungen, municipal link Calasiao, DSWD-1, said.

(When they report that they lost the card, most probably the chances are high that they have pawned their ATM cards.)

The department said it has a list of the beneficiaries’ debts.

Their cash cards will only be returned if they will fully pay their debts.

“Nagkakaroon kami ng spot check para ma-determine kung nasa kanila ang ATM at doon na rin namin nafa-find out na nakasanla nga,” Ubungen said.

(We do spot checks to determine if they have the ATM cards and that's when we find out that they have been pawned.)

If these beneficiaries will pawn their cash cards again, they will be removed from the program.

The DSWD said it is studying if they will give penalties to money lenders who get the cash cards of the beneficiaries. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News