MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie signs the MOA with partner financial service providers on June 16, 2023 at People’s Palace in Cotabato City to accelerate the distribution of financial assistance to the indigent beneficiaries of the ministry’s various programs. (Photo by Faisal Camsa Jr./BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) “launches digital payout services” for easier and faster access to Bangsamoro Government’s financial services.
The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) introduced on June 16 the Financial Assistance System Transformation (FAST) Project, a digital payout service aimed at providing convenient and prompt access to Bangsamoro Government’s financial services.
Backed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Australian Aid, the FAST project comprises seven (7) implementation strategies. These strategies focus on enhancing service efficiency, fostering inter-agency coordination, promoting data interoperability, strengthening digital literacy, facilitating responsive policies and regulations, promoting financial inclusion, and supporting digital infrastructure.
Partnering with financial service providers (FSPs) such as Amanah Islamic Bank, Palawan Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhuillier, MLhuillier, Development Bank of the Philippines, Landbank of the Philippines, G-Cash, Maya, Asian United Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), and Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC), over-the-counter payment options will soon be made available.
MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie emphasized that this initiative is part of the digital infrastructure and e-governance in line with the Enhanced 12-point priority agenda of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
“Itong pagsisimula ng financial inclusion and literacy caravan, gusto po natin gawin din ito sa iba-ibang lugar dahil ang serbisyo ng BARMM at ang MSSD ay sa lahat ng (mamamayan) sa probinsya, lahat ng lungsod at ng barangay sa SGA na kinabibilangan ng mga Bangsamoro,” Jajurie said.
In a recent event, 800 beneficiaries from different barangays of the city received Php6,000.00 each as part of MSSD’s Kalinga para sa may Kapansanan program.
“Isa itong programang hindi niyo makikita sa ibang lugar sa buong Pilipinas, dahil sa MSSD lang mayroong programa para sa PWDs na financial assistance na ibinibigay kada buwan,” she added.
“Nararapat lamang na unang bigyan ang mga PWDs under the financial inclusion and literacy caravan,” Jajurie added to support their basic needs and medicines.
As part of the collaboration, Minister Jajurie and Mindanao Regional Director for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Dr. Judit Dolot signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), formalizing their collaboration on FAST Financial inclusion and literacy.
Expressing gratitude to MSSD, one of the beneficiaries of the Kalinga program, Bai Lamping, said, “salamat po sa matyagang paghahanap sa amin na mga PWDs lalo na sa MSSD, salamat po sa inyong suporta sa amin.”
MSSD aims to expand this strategy to encompass all programs related to financial assistance by 2028, involving other ministries of the BARMM. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
