Manila—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated the importance of adhering to program conditions for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to continue receiving government cash grants.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the third episode of ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ broadcasted on the DSWD’s Facebook page, 4Ps Social Marketing-Division Chief Marie Grace Ponce emphasized the necessity of fulfilling the commitments outlined in the beneficiaries’ “oath of commitment.” “If you have not complied with any of the conditions provided in your oath of commitment, you will not receive cash grants because our cash grants are dependent on the will to obey the conditions required by the program,” Ponce explained.
For health-related conditions, the program mandates that pregnant women must attend pre- and postnatal checkups, and children aged five and below must undergo regular checkups and receive required vaccinations. These health protocols align with the guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH), which also includes deworming for children aged 14 and below.
In terms of education, the program requires that children aged three to 18 be enrolled in school, maintaining at least an 85 percent attendance rate throughout the academic year. Additionally, a unique aspect of the 4Ps is the compulsory attendance of parent beneficiaries at Family Development Sessions (FDS) each month, which is part of DSWD’s strategy to empower marginalized communities through education and practical support.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps serves as the national poverty reduction and human capital investment program, providing conditional cash transfers to impoverished households to enhance their children’s health, nutrition, and education. Each qualifying household receives PHP750 monthly for health; PHP300 per child in elementary, PHP500 per child in junior high, and PHP700 per child in senior high for education, for up to three children per household over 10 months of a school year; and a monthly rice subsidy of PHP600 for active and compliant households. “Cash grants are computed according to compliance with said conditions and are released every two months,” Ponce added.