The 4Ps program is a national poverty alleviation strategy that was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11310 or “An Act Institutionalizing Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.” It is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The program aims to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty among the poorest Filipino families. It provides conditional cash transfers in the form of educational, health, and nutrition grants. Recently, the DSWD announced that it will expand the cash grants for 4Ps beneficiaries who are pregnant or lactating.
Benefits of the 4Ps Program
Before anything else, let us take a look at the cash grants that are currently being given to 4Ps household beneficiaries:
Educational Grant. For the duration of the school year (i.e. 10 months), monthly cash grants are given to beneficiaries, depending on the grade level of their monitored children: PHP 300 per child for elementary students; PHP 500 per child for junior high school students; and PHP 700 per child for senior high school students.
Health Grant. Each household receives PHP 750 per month as health grant, provided that children aged 2 to 14 years old undergo regular medical check-ups as part of a growth development and monitoring program.
Rice Allowance. Each household receives PHP 600 per month as rice allowance.
In addition to the above benefits, 4Ps beneficiaries are also given priority in government projects such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and other initiatives.
Expanded Grant for Pregnant, Lactating Women
Last June 11, 2024, during a Sectoral Meeting in Malacañang Palace, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. approved the DSWD’s proposal to include a “First 1000 Days” grant for 4Ps beneficiaries who are pregnant, nursing, or caring for children aged 0 to 2 years old.
“Okay. Yes. Let’s do that. On the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, bring the mother, the family into the system. That’s really good,” the President said, as cited in press release. The Sectoral Meeting included the DSWD, the Department of Health (DOH), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and other agencies.
In response, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian welcomed the President’s approval. He attended the meeting with Undesecretary for Legislative Affairs Fatima Aliah Dimaporo and Undersecretary for National Household Targeting System and 4Ps Vilma Cabrera.
“The President gave us instructions on how we can improve the lot of our pregnant and lactating mothers, especially our poorer mothers,” Secretary Gatchalian stated
“This will serve as an incentive for them to have this what we call health-seeking behavior, which means they will be motivated to go to the health center, register, avail of pre- and post-natal care, and post-partum treatment, including immunization for their 0 to 2-year old children,” the Secretary explained.
For her part, 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya said that the President’s approval of the expanded cash grant indicates his commitment to improving the health and nutrition of children and mothers during their first 1000-day journey.
“It is a reinforcement kung paanong lubos na napahahalagahan ang nutrition ng 0-2. Kasi sabi nga the first three years of the child’s life is the most critical kasi nandoon nga ang brain development (It reinforces how much we value the nutrition of 0 to 2-year olds. As they say, the first three years of the child’s life is the most critical because that’s then brain development occurs),” she explained.
“Ibig-sabihin kung maayos ang bata, eventually uunlad, tuloy-tuloy siyang mag-aaral, dahil siya nga ay madaling matuto at malusog na bata (It means that if children are well, they will thrive and enjoy schooling because they are fast learners and healthy),” she added.
Legal Basis for Expanded Grant
The legal basis for the 4Ps expanded cash grant is Republic Act No. 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act.” Its formal title is “An Act Scaling Up the National and Local Health and Nutrition Programs Through a Strengthened Integrated Strategy for Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition in the First One Thousand (1,000) Days of Life.”
The main aim of R.A. 11148 is to improve the nutritional status as well as to address malnutrition among infants and young children from 0 to 2 years old, adolescent females, pregnant women, and lactating women. It also aims to ensure the growth and development of infants and young children.
Target Beneficiaries
Only pregnant and lactating women who are already beneficiaries of the 4Ps program will receive the expanded cash grant under the DSWD’s “1st 1000 Days” initiative, according to 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya, as cited in a report by the Philippine News Agency.
“Talagang kailangan linawin natin kasi marami na pong nagpapalista na mga buntis at may 0 to 2 years old. Liwanagin lang po natin (We need to clarify this because there are many pregnant women and those with 0 to 2-year old kids who want to enlist. Let us make things clear),” Gabuya said during a Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center.
“So, ngayon kailangan maliwanag na ang magiging beneficiaries nito ay iyong talagang existing na beneficiaries ng 4Ps. Hindi siya outside ng 4Ps (We need to clarify that the beneficiaries of the expanded cash grant are the existing beneficiaries of 4Ps. Not those who are outside 4Ps),” she explained.
Furthermore, Gabuya explained that the additional grant, which is proposed at PHP 400 per month, will be subject to the beneficiaries’ compliance with the conditions of the program.
“Nais nating linawin na ito ay dagdag grants lamang sa existing na health grants na nakukuha nila (We would like to clarify that this is simply an additional grant to the existing health grants that they are already receiving),” she clarified.
Latest Updates
According to 4Ps 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya, the DSWD is currently coordinating with the NEDA with regards to identifying the target beneficiaries of the expanded cash grants, along with the necessary budget for implementation.
“Nag-uusap-usap na po ang NEDA, kami sa DSWD para linisin ang data. Syempre we really need to come up with accurate data, kung ilan talaga. Kasi it will require also budget (NEDA and we at the DSWD are already talking about cleaning the data. Of course we really need to come up with accurate data and how many would be included. Because this will require a budget),” she stated.
Contact Information: DSWD Central Office
If you have any questions or concerns about the expanded cash grant under the 4Ps program, you can get in touch with the DSWD Central Office through the contact details below. You can also visit the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO) in your locality.
Address: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126
Telephone: (02) 8952-0697 or (02) 8931-8101, local 513
Website: https://www.dswd.gov.ph/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
The expanded cash grant will definitely be a big help to pregnant and lactating mothers who are beneficiaries of the 4Ps program. It will encourage them to attend regular check-ups, and to be more aware of their health and nutrition. This way, both the mother and child’s health can be ensured!
Speaking of the 4Ps, have you ever wondered when beneficiaries are supposed to “graduate” or exit from the program? Check out this article to learn more about this topic!