Only the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can identify eligible beneficiaries of the agency’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) based on the criteria set under the law.
This was emphasized by Director Gemma Gabuya of the 4Ps National Program Management Office (4Ps-NPMO) following a question from a netizen at the Wednesday (May 28) episode of the 4Ps Fastbreak on whether they can become part of 4Ps now that the candidate they voted for had won in the elections.
“ Hindi-hindi po. Unang-una ang DSWD po ang nagpapalakad ng programa at naka-base ito sa batas [Republic Act No. 11310]. Ibig sabihin ang DSWD lamang ang mamimili kung sino ang makakapasok sa programa,” Director Gabuya told the 4Ps Fastbreak, an online program of the DSWD’s Strategic Communications group.
The DSWD official advised the netizen to check with the local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) at the provincial or municipal level if they are included in the list under the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) of the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA).
“Mas maganda kung magtanong kayo sa inyong LSWDOs kung kayo ay nailista doon sa survey ng PSA na tinatawag na CBMS,” the 4Ps director said.
The CBMS involves the generation of data at the local level which serves as a basis in targeting households in the planning, budgeting and implementation of government programs geared toward poverty alleviation and economic development.
Director Gabuya reiterated that to become a 4Ps beneficiary, a family or household should be surveyed as ‘poor’ by the PSA.
“Dati ang ginagamit natin ay ang Listahanan pero ngayon ay CBMS na ng PSA. Pag siya [pamilya] ay na-survey na mahirap saka pa lang isu-submit sa DSWD. Pagkatapos ay titingnan naman ng DSWD kung pasok siya sa criteria ng programa,” the 4Ps NPMO head said.
To be eligible for the program, Director Gabuya said the household should have children who are 0-18 years old or with pregnant members during the survey period.
The DSWD’s 4Ps director said that those who were promised inclusion in the 4Ps program by winning candidates may lodge their grievances with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to get legal advice on what to do.
The 4Ps provides cash grants to more than 4 million households whose children are given subsidies to finish elementary and senior high school and supported with health and nutrition grants.
The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communications’ Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform. (MBM)