The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will hold a public forum to present the results of the research study entitled, “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program: Stimulus to Local Economic Growth?”, on Thursday, tomorrow, 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.
Led by the study consultant, Dr. Lourdes S. Adriano, the research study’s main objective is to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the nature, form, and degree of the economic impact of the Pantawid Pamilya cash grant expenditures on the local economy. Its overarching thesis is that the provision of regular and predictable cash grants to poor households in the context of malfunctioning or nonexistent markets can generate positive productive and economic impacts.
The presentation of the results of study will be divided into five topics as follows:
- Household Economy
- Economic Sector: Bicol Rice Value Chain
- Economic Sector: Flea Market Case Study
- Regional and Macro Perspective
- Integration of Recommendations
Impact evaluation studies on Pantawid Pamilya showed evidence of the program’s effectiveness in achieving education and health outcomes. There are also indications of potential positive spillover effects of the program to the local economy particularly, in the areas of work motivation, labor allocation, savings, and access to credit. It has been observed that the huge transfer of cash to the poor and poor areas of the country has produced unintended economic impacts or the “ripple effects” both at the household and local economies.
With the scaled up implementation of CCT, the need to understand these unintended impacts on attaining inclusive growth have become increasingly important to government decision makers and planners. A greater understanding of these economic and productive impacts of CCT can contribute to broadening the policy menu for the inclusive growth strategy.
“Pantawid Pamilya has made significant gains in the last six years, and I am confident that the next administration will continue the program. Research studies, such as this, will also serve as guide to further improve the program,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.