The Parañaque City government has launched the on-site digital disbursement of its local cash assistance program for 50,000 households in the city amid the modified enhanced community quarantine status in Metro Manila.
In partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the beneficiaries can now withdraw their P5,000 cash aid through Bank on Wheels, a 5G-powered and airconditioned banking kiosk in a mobile van.
The mobile van is designed to enable customers to perform standard automated teller machine (ATM) services such as cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, fund transfer, and bills payment, all without leaving their communities.
“Today is another milestone as we witness the pilot run of the on-site digital disbursement of Paraña-Cash Assistance Program which is P5,000 for every household in Paranaque,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez during the launching in Barangay Moonwalk.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) director general Jeremiah Belgica, Union Bank senior vice president Paolo Baltao, city Business Permit and Licensing Office chief Melanie Malaya and city hall officials attended the launching.
Olivarez expressed optimism that with this program local residents “will be able to fully embrace the benefits of modern technologies in this time of community quarantine and pandemic. “
The city chief executive said eligible city residents have started receiving their respective UnionBank EON VISA Card, two weeks ago.
He said households who did not receive cash from the national government were entitled to P5,000 cash assistance as part of the city’s relief efforts to mitigate the economic impact caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaya commended the efforts of the city government of Parañaque, which plays an important role in the promotion of online disbursement and other e-government services in the digital economy to help build trust and confidence between consumers and online platforms in this pandemic.
He said the DILG has been encouraging the use of technology in the delivery of government services to reduce face-to-face transactions and provide faster public service in a time of global pandemic.
On the other hand, Belgica said that they glad that Paranaque for taking the lead in this envisions to promote a government-wide automation by simplifying requirements and procedures for both business and non-business-related transactions.
For her part, Soriano-Malaya, head of the city’s Economic Preservation and Recovery Cluster Response Team, said Paraña-Cash complements the government’s effort towards digital transformation.
She added that there is no need for direct over-the-counter or face-to-face customer servicing which is essential in the implementation of public health and safety protocols.
Moreover, adequate enhanced security and disinfection measures will be adopted.