DSWD warns vs epal in Pantawid program

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development is safeguarding its core anti-poverty program the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino or 4P’s from the election campaign.

Aileen Lariba, 4Ps Information Officer for region 7 said the DSWD is embarking on a “Bawal and Epal” campaign to prevent politicians from taking credit for distributing cash dole-outs to poor families.

“We launched the campaign because we noticed and heard reports about some politicians and political parties threatening beneficiaries with exclusion from the 4Ps if they don’t support certain candidates in the election,” said Lariba.

Lariba said advocacy materials for the campaign will be coming out in the succeeding months. She said public support and vigilance is needed.

“Only the DSWD is authorized to choose or delist beneficiaries,” she added.

Beneficiaries of the 4P’s receive a cash grant of P500 a month for health and P300 a month for children’s education.

Each family can enroll up to three children in the program.

Beneficiary families also have to go for preventive health check ups from the Department of Health.

The Department of Education certifies that their children’s school attendance does not go below 85 percent.

The DSWD has activated the Bawal ang Epal hotline to receive complaints. The text hotline is 09189122813.

The department assured confidentially of the names of complainants./Correspondent Renan Alangilan