More than 3,000 beneficiaries of the PDV Caribe social assistance programme have already collected their booklets for the $100 monthly utility vouchers, during the first three days of distribution at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre.
General Manager of PDV Caribe (Antigua and Barbuda), Jellette Ralph, said that the collection process has been running smoothly, with strong turnout each day. She noted that the programme supports more than 6,000 people across the country, and she expects most beneficiaries will collect their booklets by the end of the week.
“On Monday and Tuesday, just over 1,000 persons collected each day. On Wednesday, the figure rose to more than 1,100.
This means that more than half of the booklets have already been distributed, with a daily collection rate of over 80 percent,” Ralph explained.
Distribution is organized by surname:
• Thursday (today): Surnames beginning with N, O, P, Q, R, and S.
• Friday: Surnames beginning with T through Z.
To accommodate those who may have missed their designated days, Ralph confirmed that the centre will also open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The programme provides each eligible participant with $100 per month to assist with electricity bill payments at APUA. The next registration period will be in November, and applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be 65 years or older
• Be a Social Security pensioner with a monthly income under $1,000
• Not reside in a household where another beneficiary already receives support
PDV Caribe has partnered with Frank B. Armstrong to facilitate the initiative.
This programme is such a relief for pensioners. $100 may not seem like much, but it helps a lot with electricity bills.
PDV Caribe and Frank B. Armstrong are doing important work here. More programmes like this are needed.
This is a blessing for so many families, especially with the rising cost of living. Every bit of assistance makes a difference.
Great initiative. I wish it was a bit more but it’s way better than nothing and Petron Carib owes us nothing. So I’m thankful for their generosity