The Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is one of the ways that the country shows dedication to inclusive growth and social protection. Targeting Filipino families outside the reach of regular assistance, the program is a lifeline for the country’s most vulnerable.
Also Read: DSWD Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Aid to Filipinos
The MCCT program is designed to directly assist marginalized sectors in the Philippines, including Homeless Street Families (HSF), Indigenous Peoples (IPs) residing in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), and Families in Need of Special Protection (FNSP). These beneficiaries receive financial support through educational and health grants, along with targeted aid for stable housing and livelihood development to foster resilience and self-sufficiency.
What is the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT)?
The said program is an adaptation of the conventional Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program. It extends benefits to families that are extremely poor, yet not captured by the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) or Listahanan due to their precarious living conditions. These include homeless street families, indigenous peoples in remote areas, and families requiring special protection, such as those affected by disasters or conflicts.
Why the Focus on Families Not Included in Listahanan?
Listahanan typically covers families with some form of shelter, leaving out those who reside in makeshift homes or on the streets. The MCCT aims to fill this gap, ensuring that assistance reaches those with no roofs over their heads, often overlooked by standard social welfare measures.
The Essence of “Modified” in MCCT
The ‘modified’ aspect of the the program refers to the tailored approach it takes. While it adopts the CCT framework, this has specific targeting strategies, conditions, and a package of interventions that acknowledge the unique challenges faced by the target groups.
Who are the Beneficiaries?
The program serves:
- Homeless Street Families (HSF)
- Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)
- Families in Need of Special Protection (FNSP)
These groups, referred to as “partner families,” receive support to transition into a more stable lifestyle.
Who are “Families in Need of Special Protection”?
FNSP encompasses individuals displaced by natural disasters or armed conflicts temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers or transitory sites. They require immediate and special attention to regain stability.
As of early 2015, the program had helped 3,774 street families, 163,950 families in IP-GIDA, and 51,824 FNSP families across the nation.
Objectives
The program aims to:
- Transition HSF to more stable living conditions.
- Enable access to basic services like health and education for HSF, IPs in GIDA, and FNSP.
- Prevent infant and child mortality.
- Eliminate maternal deaths under normal conditions.
- Promote early childhood care and development.
- Ensure school attendance for children aged 6-18.
- Rehabilitate severely malnourished children.
Partner Family Qualifications
To qualify as a partner family, applicants must:
- Have children aged 0-18 or a pregnant family member at the time of selection.
- Commit to the program’s conditions and actively participate in the assistance process.
- Not be listed in the NHTS database or the regular Pantawid Pamilya Program.
The Benefits of MCCT
The program offers:
- Educational grants of P300-P500 per child for school expenses (up to 3 children, prioritizing the youngest).
- A health grant of P500 per household.
- Shelter assistance and access to livelihood opportunities for HSF.
- Incentives for IPs in GIDA for community projects or income-generating activities.
Partner Family Obligations
Partner families must:
- Ensure children’s school attendance.
- Use health services following DOH guidelines.
- Attend Family Development Sessions regularly.
Duration of MCCT Membership
The program spans six months to a year, with eligibility and compliance determining continued participation. For FNSP and IP in GIDA, the engagement can last up to two years before transitioning to the regular Pantawid Pamilya.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Eligibility Confirmation: Verify that you meet the qualifications for a partner family.
- Document Preparation: Assemble necessary documents, including IDs and evidence of your living situation.
- Application Submission: Submit your application to the nearest DSWD office, along with the required documentation.
- Compliance Commitment: Pledge to adhere to the program’s conditions.
- Participation in Development Sessions: Engage in mandatory development sessions as part of the program.
- Program Inclusion: Upon acceptance, become an active participant in the MCCT, availing of the benefits and services offered.
Video: Pangandaman: Targeted cash transfer remains part of proposed 2024 budget
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured the public that targeted cash transfers (TCT) or social aid programs will remain part of the 2024 budget. During a roundtable discussion with reporters, Pangandaman confirmed that programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) will continue in the proposed 2024 budget.
She also mentioned that medical assistance and other social cash assistance programs will be ongoing. In the 2023 General Appropriations Act, the government allocated funds for various programs, including 4Ps, protective services, fuel subsidy, service contracting, and more.
Pangandaman stated that the government has already provided P7.6 billion for TCT and the funds are ready to be distributed to beneficiaries through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Conclusion
The MCCT by the DSWD is a bridge to a better life for the Philippines’ most disadvantaged families. By providing financial aid and social welfare interventions tailored to the unique needs of homeless families, indigenous peoples in isolated areas, and those affected by conflicts or disasters, the MCCT is a critical step towards achieving a more equitable society.