People line up to avail of different government aids/services on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (Photo from Jean Mangaluz)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday maintained that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is not a dole out.
During an information and service caravan prior to the State of the Nation Address (Sona), DSWD spokesperson Rommel Lopez clarified, “may isang maling connotation doon sa 4Ps na nais nating baguhin. Akala ng madami, ang 4Ps, pag binigay yung cash grant, ay ito’y ayuda.”
(There is a wrong connotation for the 4Ps that we want to change. Many people think that in the 4Ps when the cash grant is given, it’s a dole out.)
“Hindi po ayuda ang 4Ps. Ito po ay isang pamamaraan ng ating gobyerno para puksain yung kahirapan,” Lopez said.
(4Ps is not a dole out. It is one of the ways used by the government to eliminate poverty.)
Lopez described government aid as a “conditional cash grant” wherein families with children must first meet some conditions.
One example of the conditions is that pregnant women, they must undergo regular checkups and give birth with the help of a doctor or a midwife.
Infants and kids up to five must also have regular checkups.
Over four million Filipinos are covered by the government aid ‘4Ps’.
Lopez added people should not go to DSWD offices to apply.
Government personnel will typically go to areas with high poverty incidence.
Once there, they will assess if the people in the community can be classified as “poorest of the poor.”
Those who earn below the minimum wage are qualified as program beneficiaries.
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