The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reaffirmed its commitment to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), emphasizing that as long as poverty exists and the law mandates it, the program will continue to provide assistance to poor and vulnerable families.

Director Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager, assured household-beneficiaries of the program’s continuity as it is mandated by Republic Act No. 11310 or the 4Ps Act.

“Ang 4Ps ay may batas kaya ito ay talagang recognized as regular program ng gobyerno para sa human capital investment at poverty reduction. Flagship program ito ng gobyerno na talagang shine-shepherd at nile-lead ng DSWD,” Director Gabuya said during the DSWD’s online program ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ on Wednesday (February 19).

The 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer initiative of the DSWD which helps 4.4 million low-income Filipino families by providing financial assistance for health, education, and nutrition, aiming to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

“Ang programang ito ay talagang human capital investment. Binibigyan natin ng
pagkakataon ang mga anak ng mahihirap na makapag-aral at syempre maging
malusog. Gusto natin na yung grants ay makatulong sa pagbabago ng behavior; na yung education at health pag inumpisahan sa bata pa lamang ay paraan para makaahon sa kahirapan,” Director Gabuya told ‘4Ps Fastbreak.’

4Ps beneficiaries receive aid in exchange for compliance with conditions such as regular health check-ups for children, school attendance, and participation in family development sessions (FDS).

“Ang FDS ay unique rito sa Pilipinas. Kailangan maging strong o malakas ang isang pamilya in terms of relationships, awareness sa karapatan, at pagiging mabuting magulang,” the 4Ps national program manager pointed out.

As part of the enhancement of the program, the DSWD is set to launch the First 1,000 Days of Life (F1KD) cash grant on Friday (February 21) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.

The F1KD is set to boost the nutrition-specific benefits among 4Ps beneficiaries, particularly to household-beneficiaries with pregnant and lactating mothers nursing children aged 0-2 years.

The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communications Group’s Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform.