DSWD: Only pregnant, lactating women 4Ps members can get extra aid

FILE PHOTO: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarifies on Thursday, June 13, 2024, that only pregnant and nursing mothers who are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) can receive the additional cash aid. Experts says that to achieve maternal health care, every pregnant woman should have at least four prenatal checkups, two postnatal checkups, and give birth and be attended to by a health professional in a facility. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Only pregnant and nursing mothers who are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) can receive the additional cash aid, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clarified Thursday.

DSWD 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya issued the explanation in a media forum as some pregnant mothers were trying to enlist to avail of the expanded cash grant.

“Talagang kailangan linawin natin kasi marami na pong nagpapalista na mga buntis at may 0 to 2 years old. Liwanagin lang po natin. So, ngayon kailangan maliwanag na ang magiging beneficiaries nito ay iyong talagang existing na beneficiaries ng 4Ps. Hindi siya outside ng 4Ps,” Gabuya said.

(We need to clarify this because many pregnant women and those with children zero to two years old are trying to enroll. We will make this clear. So it needs to be clear that the beneficiaries of this program are the existing beneficiaries of the 4Ps. It is not outside the 4Ps.)

READ: Marcos orders 4Ps expansion to include pregnant, lactating women

The official added that the DSWD is also conferring with the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) to identify the target beneficiaries and the budget needed for the expanded grant.

“Nag-uusap-usap na po ang Neda, kami sa DSWD para linisin ang data. S’yempre we really need to come up with accurate data, kung ilan talaga. Kasi it will require also budget, how much it will entail,” she noted.

(The DSWD and the Neda are discussing how to organize the data. Of course, we really need to come up with accurate data on how many beneficiaries. Because it will require also budget, how much it will entail.)

READ: DSWD to work on adjustment of 4Ps grants

The 4PS is a conditional cash transfer program where beneficiaries will receive grants in exchange for sending their children to school and bringing their children to health centers.

Beneficiaries will receive varying cash grants monthly for 10 months depending on the level of their children: P300 for elementary children; P500 for junior high school children; and P700 for senior high school children.

Other beneficiaries can also get P750 monthly for a year as long as their children are brought to growth development and monitoring and deworming programs.