By Brian Campued
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of a measure seeking to expand the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Philippine government’s flagship poverty reduction and human capital development strategy.
In a social media post, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the legislation aims to strengthen support to vulnerable Filipino households, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s directive that no one should be left behind in the “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“Gusto ng ating Pangulo na ang bawat pamilya ay may kakayahang tumayo sa sariling mga paa. Gaya ng lagi niyang paalala sa atin, ang 4Ps ay hindi lang basta ‘hand-out’… ito ay puhunan natin para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan,” Gatchalian stressed.
In a 224–3 vote with zero abstentions, the lower chamber on Tuesday approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 8647, or the proposed “Patuloy ang Pagtawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Act.”
HB No. 8647 seeks to amend Republic Act 11310, or the 4Ps Act, by expanding coverage, enhancing benefits, and improving the delivery of the conditional cash transfer program, with the goal of making assistance more responsive to the needs of poor and near-poor families amid rising living costs and economic pressures.
The bill also adds socio-economic resilience, adult education through the Alternative Learning System, entrepreneurship and employment training, and a transition program for graduating beneficiaries.
It likewise strengthens case management through community-level data and intensified household profiling.
“Sa ilalim ng bagong bill, mas palalakasin ang paggabay ng ating mga social workers para masiguradong ang bawat pamilya ay may malinaw na plano patungo sa pag-unlad at matagumpay na pag-graduate mula sa programa,” Sec. Gatchalian said.
The bill also includes the First 1,000 Days program, which provides targeted support to pregnant women from conception to the first 24 months of their child’s life.
It likewise provides a P1,000 grant to support early child development and the health and nutrition needs of pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants, and young children.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, for his part, said the government remains committed to lift poor families out of poverty through people-centered legislation and programs.
“Ang 4Ps ay hindi lamang ayuda. Ito ay puhunan sa kinabukasan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Sa bawat batang napapaaral, sa bawat pamilyang nagkakaroon ng access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan, at sa bawat tahanang nabibigyan ng pagkakataong makabangon—iyan ang tunay na sukatan ng tagumpay ng programang ito,” Dy said in a press release.
“At sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, tinitiyak natin na tuloy-tuloy ang pagtawid—hindi lamang para makaahon, kundi para makatawid tungo sa isang mas matatag, mas maayos, at mas marangal na kinabukasan.”
HB 8647 forms part of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority agenda, highlighting the Marcos Jr. administration’s focus on strengthening social protection and investing in the most vulnerable sectors. (with report from Vel Custodio / PTV News)
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