PDV Caribe says it pays out more than one million dollars each month on two key
programmes that benefit retirees, the physically challenged and those living below
the poverty line.
The wholly-owned government company has announced that the distribution of
cards/booklets for the Senior Citizens Subsidy programme will commence next
Monday at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre.
Office Administrator, Mrs. Jellette Ralph, said the programme benefits over seven
thousand people each month, including 158 persons who reside in Barbuda. “Each
month, these individuals receive $100.00 that they pay toward their utility bills.
This amounts to over $700,000.00 per month. The beneficiaries must be Social
Security pensioners, as the application process involves presenting their cards from
the scheme to verify that they are pensioners,” she added.
In addition, Ralph disclosed that through its second initiative – the People’s
Benefit Programme – PDV Caribe also provides a monthly stipend of a $215.00
debit card that allows holders to shop at several supermarkets on both islands.
These are Central Market Corporation, Spencer’s Supermarket in Liberta, VM on
the Bolans Main Road and Lil Lincs and Fancy Way in Barbuda.
“Just over sixteen hundred persons will benefit under this programme for the
month of August. The criterion for qualifying is those householders who claim
under the Economic Hardship category. These are individuals who earn less than
$800.00 per month before paying their bills. It also covers those with physical
challenges such as amputees, the blind, those with wheelchairs and those who are
bedridden due to diseases such as cancer. Children with developmental issues are
also covered, including those with autism,” Ralph explained.
She added that under this programme, PDV Caribe spends an additional
$300,000.00 per month.
Funding for the programme was provided through a spending funding arrangement
with the Venezuelan government. However, according to Ralph since the US
Government imposed an embargo on Venezuela six years ago, there has been no
purchase of that country’s petroleum products.
She further explained that PDV Caribe funds these programmes from the returns
on its various investments.
