MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will suspend the conditions it usually imposes on beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) once the Boracay rehabilitation starts, its chief said Wednesday.
DSWD Officer-In-Charge Emmanuel Leyco said they decided to suspend the conditionalities for the next few months in consideration of the difficult circumstances the beneficiaries would face once rehabilitation begins.
“Tatanggapin pa rin ng 4Ps (beneficiaries) ang kanilang cash grants, pero, no more conditions na kailangan magpunta sa health center, fulfill the 85 percent school attendance, and attend the family development sessions (The 4Ps beneficiaries will still receive their cash grants but no more conditions, such as going to health center, fulfill the 85 percent school attendance, and attend family development sessions),” Leyco said in an earlier interview.
He said the suspension was considered those affected by Boracay’s six-month closure might find it difficult to continue sending their children to school regularly or comply with the check-up in the health centers.
“We will suspend some of the attendance requirements of the 4Ps as a way to support our beneficiaries who want to maximize all of their time finding new means to earn a living. We understand that most of them, if not all, have jobs that are directly or indirectly related to the tourist trade in Boracay,” he said.
Leyco said that normally, these beneficiaries are also required to bring their children regularly to health centers for check-up and deworming.
These conditions aim to ensure that beneficiaries are also learning to be responsible parents; their family relationships are strengthened; and at the same time their children are provided with education and good health to be their “passport” in their desire to get out of poverty.
“We are aware that with the rehabilitation that will be done, it is difficult for them to comply with the said conditions, given the situation that they are confronted with the need to find other means to earn a living and adjust to the period where there will be uncertainty as to how they can support the needs of their families,” Leyco added.
He said that they will also continue to coordinate with other government agencies, such as the departments of labor and health, and the Technical Educational Skills Development Authority on other assistance for those who will need them in the duration of the rehabilitation.
Based on the assessment done, there were 684 4Ps household beneficiaries in Boracay, 208 of whom are from Barangay Balabag, 340 from Barangay Manoc Manoc, and 136 from Barangay Yapak. (PNA)
