The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Central Visayas tapped its partner, the Sta. Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative (SBKCC), to teach 4Ps partner beneficiaries in the island province of Siquijor about financial literacy during the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS).

“As one of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) partners of 4Ps, we teach financial literacy to our 4Ps beneficiaries, and we believe that this is an essential life skill that we should learn and nurture: the proper management of resources,” said Ian Fel Cabilao, the Branch Manager of SBKCC in Siquijor Capital.

Cabilao added that if a 4Ps beneficiary is financially literate, the person can make better and more informed financial decisions to manage their wealth properly, including the cash grant they received from the government.

Personnel of SBKCC visit different 4Ps parent groups to lecture on financial literacy and basic bookkeeping essential for their livelihood activities.

The collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the SBKCC began in 2013, marking a significant milestone in the cooperative commitment to community development.

This partnership emerged when GCash and the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) sought a conduit for cash grants disbursement to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Siquijor.

Given their existing partnership with GCash through cash-in and cash-out services, the cooperative readily accepted its business proposal.

“Today we continue to facilitate cash grant payouts for 4Ps beneficiaries through LBP’s point-of-sale (POS) cash-out, leveraging our status as one of LBP’s Authorized Agent Banking Partners (ABP) in the island of Siquijor,” underscored Cabilao.

The cooperative also advocates for the 4Ps beneficiaries to become members of the cooperative, and, in return, they will access various services such as high-interest savings, low-interest loans, and mutual death benefit insurance.

SBKCC has 179 4Ps beneficiaries and is ready to support 4Ps beneficiaries in their livelihood activities and community programs, enhancing their socio-economic well-being.

DSWD and SBKCC formalized their partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on June 30, 2023.

Jackielou Limatoc, the General Manager of SBKCC, shared during the MOA signing that they have witnessed the change in the lives of the 4Ps beneficiaries in their province and saw how the program molded the families to be better. She thanked DSWD for trusting their organization and being a reliable partner in the 4Ps program implementation.

The SBKCC emerged from a vision to support the underprivileged parishioners of Santa Barbara Parish, located in Barangay Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor. Under the guidance of the then parish priest, Reverend Father Susano O. Arbas, and six dedicated lay ministers, SBKCC commenced its journey with an initial capital build-up of PHP 7,500.00.

With its Diocesan Clergy Loan Program and unwavering commitment to service, SBKCC strides towards establishing branches in every parish of the province, extending its reach to neighboring provinces. Supported by dedicated stakeholders and driven by a vision of inclusive growth, SBKCC continues to enrich lives and foster community resilience, including among its 4Ps partner beneficiaries. ###

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