As part of the Philippine government’s poverty alleviation initiative, a Conditional Cash Transfer by way of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps Program), is being given to poor but deserving residents all over the Philippines. With the use of a Landbank ATM Card, these residents receive a regular stipend from the government to help ease their financial burdens.

In some instances, the recipients of this government dole-outs experience difficulty in obtaining their cash because ATMs are scarce in the rural areas. It is refreshing to note that Electronic Network Cash Tellers, Inc. (ENCASH), the country’s first independent ATM deployer, is meeting the challenge of deploying ATMs in areas not deemed viable by commercial banks.

Recently, ENCASH deployed an ATM at the Lapuyan People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAPMUCO) in Zamboanga Sibugay. This deployment proved serendipitous for the community comprised of Muslims and Christians due to the release of the 4Ps. Townsfolk started lining up early in the morning of June 15, 2011, with withdrawals continuing to 2 in the morning of the next day. Heavy withdrawals commenced the next day Saturday, June 18, 2011 and ran non-stop throughout the day. This was suspended when LAPMUCO ran out of cash the following day. The ENCASH ATM service resumed on June 21.

Eric J. Severino, ENCASH President said, “We are happy to be of service to the townsfolk of Tungawan. The economic life in the community is being stimulated with the presence of the ATM, making cash readily available to constituents.”

Nono Lucrecia, General Manager of LAPMUCO acknowledged, “With this ENCASH ATM, we are able to meet the needs of everyone, whether they are Muslims or Christians.”

ENCASH sees itself continuing to provide ATM services to the rural areas where ATMs are greatly needed by the community.