Cebu Technological University (CTU) Gym, Cebu City
February 24, 2019

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) East Visayas Branches Group First Vice President Delma Bandiola, led the ceremonial distribution of grants amounting to PhP 2,400 — which is equivalent to PhP 200 per month for 2018 – to 10 (ten) out of 1,500 unconditional cash transfer (UCT) beneficiaries who flocked at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) Gym in Cebu City.

The UCT is a social welfare benefit for the 10 million indigent beneficiaries all over the country under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. The beneficiaries shall receive PhP 300 per month – amounting to PhP 3,600 – for the years 2019 and 2020 aside from PhP 2,400 for 2018. These household and individual beneficiaries were selected through the ‘Listahan ng mga Tahanan na Nangangailangan’ information database.

In his speech, President Duterte urged his fellow government workers to serve the Filipino people with honesty and dedication. He cited some of the main milestones of his administration for the interest of the public such as the passage of free education or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the Universal Health Care Act, the Build Build Build program, the increase in the salary of military and law enforcement sector, among others.

“As I have said before, the Presidency is a gift from God. I should not waste it because not everyone is given this kind of opportunity,” he said.

The Chief Executive also expressed anew his firm resolve against the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country. He sympathized with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who left their families in the Philippines to work abroad, only to find out that their children are being involved in illegal drugs.

“Under my term as President, this is the most dangerous time for anybody to be playing with drugs,” he added.

After his speech, the President had a photo opportunity with the officials of the DSWD Region VII, LBP Region VII, CTU, and the UCT beneficiaries.

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