DSWD Issues New Guidelines for First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of Life Cash Grant

Last year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced an expanded grant for members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This applies to members who are pregnant, and those who are lactating or nursing babies and young children. Known as the “First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of Life,” the cash grant is set to take effect this January 2025.

As the name implies, the F1KD cash grant seeks to help cover the necessary health and nutrition expenses of a child’s first 1,000 days of life — a period that is critical to his/her early growth and development. The cash grant amounts to PHP 350 per month for 4Ps members who are pregnant and lactating women with kids ages 0-2 years ol

DSWD New Guidelines First 1000 Days Grant F1KD
Image Credit: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD / Facebook

New Guidelines for F1KD Cash Grant Issued by DSWD

“The DSWD has been very vocal in supporting the Marcos administration’s goal to alleviate hunger and improve the nutritional status of poor and vulnerable Filipinos,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao stated in a press release.

“Through the provision of the F1KD grant for qualified beneficiaries, we will be able to improve the health-seeking behavior of our 4Ps beneficiaries and prioritize the needs of young children to prevent stunting and malnutrition,” she explained.

Assistant Secretary Dumlao also mentioned that the guidelines for F1KD cash grant are stipulated in DSWD Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 1, Series of 2025, which was signed by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian last January 6, 2025.

Conditions to Avail of F1KD Cash Grant

As a conditional cash grant, the F1KD requires qualified members to follows certain conditionalities in line with Republic Act. No. 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” (Health and Nutrition of Mother and Children), along with current protocols that are implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).

Among these conditionalities are the following:

  • Accessing pre-natal services at health facilities accredited by the DOH;
  • Tracking pregnancy and receiving ante-natal care services;
  • Child birthing or delivery at a DOG-accredited health facility;
  • Attending post-natal visits;
  • Participating in counseling sessions; and
  • Obtaining micronutrient supplements and immunizations, etc.

To monitor the compliance of 4Ps beneficiaries, the health facilities concerned shall help determine if the beneficiaries have been following the above conditions, as this would be the basis for the release of their cash grants every month.

Considerations for Beneficiaries in Remote Areas

But what about beneficiaries who are living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA)? F1KD guidelines state that in such cases, the health workers concerned will determine measures to ensure that beneficiaries in remote areas will receive the health and nutrition interventions that they need.

Moreover, in such cases, the beneficiaries would be considered “compliant” with the conditions of F1KD, making them eligible to receive the F1KD cash grant.

Pregnant, Lactating 4Ps Members Urged to Register

As part of the preparations for the nationwide implementation of the F1KD cash grant, the DSWD has been urging 4Ps members to update their profiles through the i-Registro digital platform, which can be accessed through https://iregistro-4ps.dswd.gov.ph/.

A DSWD press release states that through the i-Registro platform, 4Ps members who have mobile devices and Internet access can easily update their profiles without having to leave their homes. Furthermore, it will hasten the process of updating the profiles of pregnant women, lactating women, and their children — as they would be the main recipients of the F1KD cash grant.

That being said, 4Ps members who don’t have mobile devices and Internet access can still update their profiles manually by getting in touch with their local City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO). It must be noted, though, that updating both online and offline is discouraged because this could lead to duplication of records.

Interestingly, the i-Registro platform is connected with the 4Ps database and the Philippine National Identification System (PhilSys), thus ensuring data accuracy and reliability. The system goes in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who is focused on the digitization of government processes, in order to enhance the delivery and efficiency of public services.

Video: i-Registro of F1KD for 4Ps

Are you wondering what iRegistro of F1KD is all about? Check out the following video shared by DSWD XI – Davao Region Facebook page, which features the digital platform and invites 4Ps households to update their profiles, as part of the preparations for F1KD implementation:

F1KD Cash Grant Not a “Dole Out”

Recently, DSWD Secretary Gatchalian made an announcement stating that the F1KD cash grant is not a “dole out” program. In an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, he stressed that the cash grant seeks to provide 4Ps household beneficiaries — especially those living in remote areas — with greater access to health and education services, a DSWD press release reported.

Ito ay isang mekanismo na andyan para tulungan sila sa cost ng pag-avail nung services (This is a mechanism that has been put in place to help them with the cost of availing such services),” the DSWD Chief said. “Whether we like it or not, malayo yung mga health center kung minsan sa mga far flung areas natin, malayo yung schools, kailangan may tulong pinansyal para ma-avail nila yung mga services na iyon (some health centers are located in far flung areas, some schools are also far away, there’s a need for financial assistance so they can avail of those services).”

In addition, Secretary Gatchalian mentioned that the F1KD cash grant worth PHP 350 per month will help 4Ps households with pregnant women, lactating women, and children 0-2 years old to keep up with the costs of health and nutrition expenses during pregnancy, birth, and the early years of a child’s development.

Masyadong maliit yung grants para magbuntis ka o magkaroon ka ng anak, but rather ito ay tulong natin sa kanila na matustusan yung gastos na magko-commute papunta sa health center (These grants are too small for those who are pregnant or nursing young children, but rather it can help shoulder the cost of their travel or commute to health centers),” he explained.

DSWD New Guidelines First 1000 Days Grant F1KD
Image Credit: Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD / Facebook

About the 4Ps Program

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the flagship poverty reduction strategy of the Philippine government. Institutionalized by Republic Act 11310 in the year 2008, it provides conditional cash transfers to “the poorest of the poor” households. It provides educational grants, health grants, and other benefits that aim to improve children’s health, nutrition, and education.

Final Thoughts

The F1KD cash grant is definitely a big help to 4Ps households with pregnant women, lactating mothers, and their children. If you are among the possible beneficiaries of this initiative, do not hesitate to update your profile through i-Registro. Check out this article for more details about the i-Registro digital platform for 4Ps members.