By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to ensure that the poverty alleviation programs of the government are felt by the intended beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to leverage its resources and personnel to look after less fortunate Filipinos.
In a media release Tuesday, DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao hailed the results of Pulse Asia’s Ulat ng Bayan survey, which show that the majority of Filipino adults continue to favor the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The poll, held between September 27-30 on 1,200 respondents, showed the following figures outlining the citizenry’s support for the government’s flagship anti-poverty initiative—81% in the National Capital Region; 83% in Luzon, 85% in Visayas; and 91% in Mindanao.
Across socioeconomic classes, the support for the 4Ps was 72 percent for classes A, B, and C; 87 percent for class D; and 93 percent for Class E, which is the target socioeconomic class of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Asec. Dumlao said in a statement, “Makakatulong ang resulta sa amin sa patuloy pang pagpapalakas ng 4Ps alinsunod sa utos ng ating Pangulo na siguraduhin na relevant pa din ang ating programa at tunay na makakatulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilya tungo sa kaunlaran.”
The consistency in the survey responses nationwide suggests that many Filipino families continue to see the value in the assistance provided through 4Ps, especially in keeping their children in school and ensuring their health through monthly visits to the health centers.
By virtue of Republic Act No. 11310 (4Ps law) inked in 2019, the program provides conditional cash transfer and extends various forms of social aid and assistance to uplift the living conditions of underprivileged families across the country, seeking to promote social justice and a better quality of life for all Filipinos.
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