The government is adjusting its largest poverty program as coverage shifts to reflect current needs. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will add 500,000 new beneficiaries to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) this year.
This follows the exit of households assessed to have reached self-sufficiency after years of assistance. The move aims to ensure that remaining poor families continue to receive support under the program.
The 4Ps is the government’s flagship conditional cash transfer program, established under Republic Act 11310. It provides monthly grants to qualified households to support health, education, and nutrition requirements.
Families receive P750 for health needs, alongside education grants per child in school, with limits set per household. A monthly rice subsidy is also provided to help cover basic food expenses.
“At this point, we are down to 3 million because the lives of 1.4 million families have improved, allowing them to graduate from the program,” Rex Gatchalian, DSWD Secretary, on changes in program coverage.
DSWD is targeting a program reach of around 3.5 million households, aligned with the country’s current poverty incidence. The addition of 500,000 beneficiaries is intended to fill gaps and ensure qualified families are included. Beneficiaries are identified through the Listahanan system, which assesses and ranks households based on income and living conditions.
At the same time, households that exit the program are referred to local government support, including livelihood assistance. This transition allows families to sustain gains made during their time in 4Ps.
The program continues to operate as part of broader efforts to reduce poverty levels further in the coming years.
