“Hindi po ito naipapamana at hindi ninyo rin po ito gugustuhin na ipamana sa inyong mga anak or sa inyong mga kamag-anak.”
This was the main message of Division Chief (DC) Marie Grace Ponce of the Social Marketing Division (SMD) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the March 26 episode of the DSWD’s online program, “4Ps Fastbreak,” when asked if membership in the program can be handed down to next generation in the family.
DC Ponce explained that the 4Ps’ main purpose is to stop the intergenerational cycle of poverty among its household-beneficiaries.
“Kung ikaw ay beneficiary ng 4Ps, ibig sabihin nabibilang ka sa mahihirap na sambahayan ng ating pamayanan. Ito nga yung pinaka-intensyon ng 4Ps. Ito yung gusto natin na matapos yung siklo ng kahirapan, yung hindi na mamanahin ng mga anak mo yung kahirapan na dinanas mo,” DC Ponce pointed out.
The 4Ps division chief said the program has stringent measures in place to ensure that only qualified families can benefit from the program.
“Nakasaad po sa batas, RA 11310 o yung 4Ps Act na tinatawag natin, ang mga maaaring maging beneficiary lamang po ng 4Ps ay yung mga tinatawag nating mahihirap base sa standard targeting system na ginagamit natin…hindi po siya yung ni-refer ng kapit-bahay nyo o yung ni-refer po kayo ni mayor, o ni-refer po kayo ni barangay captain ay maaari na, hindi po. Kinakailangan po na masuri na kayo talaga po ay mahirap para po kayo ay mapasama sa 4Ps,” DC Ponce explained to program viewers.
The 4Ps SMD division chief also urged the public to exercise caution and vigilance against fraudulent individuals posing as program staff and asking for money in exchange for processing requirements or referrals to be included in the program.
“Alam natin na maraming gustong makapasok sa 4Ps pero kapagka po may hinihinging kapalit iyan, halimbawa po ay pera na kabayaran, magduda na po kayo dahil hindi po totoo ito…kung mayroon pong humihingi ng kahit na GCash, i-report nyo lang po ito sa pinaka-malapit na tanggapan ng DSWD,” DC Ponce warned.
4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program of the Philippine government, with DSWD as the lead agency. Eligible household-beneficiaries are entitled to receive cash subsidies provided that the conditions on health, nutrition, and education are followed.
The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communication Group’s Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform. (AKDL)