4Ps a development program, not dole-out; aims to break intergeneration poverty – DSWD chief

“Isa sa pinakamalaking development program namin ay yung 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program). Hindi iyan ayuda. Yung 4Ps na ‘yan ay dinesign para una, i-ahon ang ating mga kababayan at hindi masalin ang kahirapan [mula] sa isang henerasyon patungo sa susunod na henerasyon.”

This was emphasized by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday (June 5) in an interview over Bilyonaryo News Channel’s ‘At The Forefront’ program.

Secretary Gatchalian stressed during the interview that the government has an obligation to help all people in need, most especially poor families which are the target beneficiaries of the 4Ps.

The DSWD chief, however, pointed out that there are conditionalities that should be complied by the program’s beneficiaries in order to wean them from the culture of mendicancy.

“Hindi dapat natin tingnan na masama ang social welfare pero paulit-ulit kong sinasabi na may development function kami. Iyon yung pangmatagalan na solusyon…oo binibigyan sila ng financial assistance, pero may conditions. Uma-attend sila ng family development sessions, yung mga anak mo dapat ay nasa school, yung mga basic na health care intervention ay dapat nandiyan,” the DSWD chief told Bilyonaryo’s ‘At the Forefront.”

Secretary Gatchalian also highlighted that the Marcos Administration has been aggressive in ensuring that exiting or graduating 4Ps beneficiaries will not slide back to poverty through various interventions including the conduct of nationwide job fairs.

“In this Administration, meron tayong ine-employ na tool na matagal nang nandiyan. Iyong mga social workers natin na case managers, kapag umabot na sa self-sufficiency or level 3, ine-exit na natin,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

As of April 30 this year, a total of 860,471 household-beneficiaries have exited from 4Ps program after reaching an improved level of well-being.

These households were identified as self-sufficient according to the Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI), making them eligible to exit the program on or before reaching the seven-year maximum stay in the program.

Secretary Gatchalian has assured the graduating 4Ps beneficiaries that the DSWD will continue monitoring their status in coordination with their respective local government units (LGUs) for post-services interventions. (AKDL)