On November 26, 2009, the scope of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was expanded to benefit 1 million households.
1 million households to benefit from poverty alleviation program
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was presented the Memorandum of Agreement for the expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on November 26 at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang, where the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and 444 local chief executives signified their support.
The agreement stands to benefit a total of 1 million Filipino households, a milestone in the government’s poverty alleviation and social development program.
“It covers the expansion of the 4Ps beneficiary families to one million as directed by PGMA last August 17, 2009,” DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral said.
The President also met with three beneficiaries of 4Ps, who came to Malacanang along with their children to share their stories and personally thank the President for the program.
Kristeta Siocson, one of the beneficiaries, shared with the President how she used to self-medicate each time one of her three children got sick. However, because of the program, which gives her P500 a month for healthcare, she can now bring her children to the health center for proper medical attention and regular check-ups.
Launched in March 2007, the 4Ps is a poverty alleviation program that protects the welfare of women and their children through conditional cash grants for education, health, and nutrition.
The program provides cash grants to families in the poorest municipalities across the country, where beneficiaries are carefully selected by the DSWD.
Once selected, a household with three qualified children will receive a subsidy of P1,400 a month during the school year to be used for educational expenses. A maximum of three children per household is allowed. An additional P500 a month per household is given for health and nutrition expenses.
Secretary Cabral stressed, however, that the money given to the beneficiaries are not dole outs. Cabral pointed out that the beneficiaries must meet specific requirements to remain in the program.
Conditions include: pregnant women must avail of pre- and post-natal care and should be attended by a trained health professional during childbirth, parents must attend responsible parenthood sessions and other related seminars, 0-5 year old children must receive regular preventive check-ups and vaccines, children 3-5 years must attend daycare or pre-school classes at least 85% of the time, children 6-14 years must enroll in elementary or high school and attend at least 85% of the time, and children 6-14 years must receive deworming pills twice a year.
In her dialogue with the beneficiaries, the President gave empowering words. She told them that by being part of the program, these women have become instruments in fighting their own poverty. They are ensuring their children’s future through education and good health. Their children, in turn, will be the ones to eventually get them out of poverty once and for all. -PIA
“Ang natatangap namin sa 4ps ang siyang nagtutustos sa edukasyon ng aking mga anak. Kaya’t ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating mahal na Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at sa DSWD.”
Kristeta T. Siocson, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary
Categorized as Milestones
mayroon pang 2nd batch sa 4ps?