The Department of Social Welfare and Development‘s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is not just about providing cash grants but it also equips poor households with knowledge and skills to break intergenerational cycle of poverty, a DSWD official said on Saturday (August 9).
“Ang isa natin gustong ma-emphasize kasi dito, more than the conditional cash grants that they are receiving, what we are really trying to promote here is social behavioral change. Ibig sabihin, binibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon na bigyang pagpapahalaga ang pag-aaral, ang edukasyon, kalusugan at gayundin ang mapasama sila sa mga isinasagawang activities tungo sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa like digitalization,” DSWD spokesperson Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao said in an interview on Saturday over the DSWD-Teleradyo partnership program, ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan!’
Asst. Secretary Dumlao explained to DZMM anchors that one of the program’s key tools for behavioral transformation is the Family Development Sessions (FDS) — monthly meetings where beneficiaries learn about responsible parenting, health and nutrition, disaster preparedness, and values formation, among others.
The sessions also cover financial literacy to help families budget wisely and invest in income-generating activities, as well as training on digital technology to improve access to online services and cashless transactions.
“Mayroon din tayong partnership with Globe na binibigyan ng libreng cellphones yung mga beneficiaries natin na nakatira sa mga geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) at nasa level 1, sila kasi yung wala pang access sa mga digital wallets,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
Under the 4Ps, household-beneficiaries receive conditional cash grants for education, health, and nutrition, provided they comply with program conditionalities such as regular health check-ups, school attendance, and participation in the monthly FDS.
Seventeen years since its launch, the program has recorded more than 1.4 million household beneficiaries exiting after improving their level of well-being.
“Ibig sabihin, ang mga beneficiaries natin ay may mga miyembro na nakakapag-trabaho, may hanapbuhay, may pinagkakakitaan, nakakatulong o nagbibigay na ng support services sa ibang miyembro ng pamilya,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD spokesperson recalled the story of a former beneficiary from Region 4B-MIMAROPA who once wore a yellowed, hand-me-down uniform and used an eraser made from an old slipper.
Upon receiving their first cash grant, the family bought new school supplies. The former monitored child later graduated cum laude and is now a DSWD employee in the region.
“Marami na tayong mga 4Ps beneficiaries na nakapagtapos at nakakaambag na sa pagpapaunlad ng ating lipunan. Sila ang nagpapatunay na puwede talagang umahon mula sa kahirapan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD spokesperson also mentioned that around 1.3 million households are expected to exit the program after completing the seven-year participation period stated under Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Act.
However, the DSWD is working with lawmakers to amend the law so that program exit will be based on the actual socio-economic status of the household, not just a fixed time frame.
“Kaya tayo nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga partners natin sa lehislatura nang sa gayon ay maisulong itong pag-amyenda sa batas. Maging needs-based sana yung approach, nang sa gayon talagang makatiyak tayo na naging responsive yung programa sa pangangailangan ng ating mga beneficiaries at na-attain yung objective ng programa, which is to help alleviate poverty among our poor households,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ airs every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon over DZMM Radyo 630 and is anchored by veteran broadcaster Alvin Elchico and cohosted by Jet Guevara of the DSWD’s Public Relations Service (PRS). (YADP)
