Senate passes 4Ps Act on second reading

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Bill No. 2117 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act was approved on second reading on Tuesday.

The measure mandates the government to ”promote a just and dynamic social order by uplifting its citizens and marginalized sectors from poverty through policies that offer social services, promote full employment and improved quality of life.”

Under the measure, a conditional cash transfer to beneficiaries will be implemented.

Cash transfers will be provided for beneficiaries including children enrolled in day care centers and elementary, junior high school and senior high school.

The proposed law also offers cash grants for health and nutrition which must not be lower than P750 per month.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will serve as the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body of the 4Ps.

The measure also imposes penalties for public officials who allow the “insertion of data or false information or diverts from what ought to be contained in the registry.”

The penalty imposed was not less than one month but not more than one year of imprisonment and a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P100,000. / gsg/ac