By Brian Jules Campued
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) proposed adding a “First 1000 day-grant” for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or those with children of up to two years old in a bid to address malnutrition and stunting in the Philippines.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian made the statement in a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday where he relayed what transpired during the sectoral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about protecting the status of the 4Ps amid inflation woes.
“Ito ay isang panukala lamang. Sinabi ko nga sa ating Pangulo doon sa aming sectoral meeting that we might introduce a First 1000 day-grant kung saan ang mga buntis hanggang may anak na 2-years old may panibago silang grants that only last until matapos sila sa life stage na ‘yon,” Gatchalian said.
According to the DSWD chief, President Marcos “seemed receptive” to the idea and directed the agency to closely work with the National Economic Development Authority and Philippine Statistics Authority regarding the proposal.
The planned additional grant will also allow target beneficiaries to avail necessary health services.
“Ito ay upang magkaroon sila ng insentibo para sa tinatawag naming health-seeking behavior na ibig sabihin mapipilitan silang pumunta sa health center, magparehistro, kumuha ng pre-at post-natal care, at post-partum treatment, pati na rin immunization para sa kanilang mga anak edad 0 to 2 years old,” Gatchalian added.
Sustainable Livelihood Program
Meanwhile, the DSWD said on Thursday that it has assisted more than 3.3 million beneficiaries through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) since its first implementation in 2011.
SLP officer-in-charge Florentino Loyola Sr. said the program is “on the right track” in helping more families and individuals affected by economic shocks as well as providing job opportunities and capital seed fund for microenterprises.
“Ang SLP ay isang capability building program na naglalayong iangat ang socio-economic conditions ng ating mga kababayan lalo na ‘yong mga vulnerable at marginalized sector,” Loyola said during the agency’s media forum in Quezon City.
Aside from the regular implementation of the SLP, the program was also utilized to respond to different incidents in the country including the Marawi Siege, Boracay closure, and the imposition of rice price caps in 2023.
Loyola also explained that the SLP si being implemented through a two-track program: the first track, the Microenterprise Development Track (MDT) supports microenterprises to become organizationally and economically viable; while the second track, the Employment Facilitation Track (EFT) assists participants to access appropriate employment opportunities.
He added that those qualified for the first track should be at least 16 years old, while those for the second track should be at least 18 years old.
MDT beneficiaries are given P15,000 each as capital assistance but those who are members of an association are granted P20,000 each.
Under the EFT, on the other hand, first time job seekers will receive P5,000 for the processing of their employment requirements or to cover transportation and other expenses.
Interested applicants may approach the city or municipal coordinators where they reside on how to go about their application process for SLP, however, they must be part of the 4Ps.
“Para ikaw ay mapabilang sa SLP, kinakailangan na ikaw ay kabilang sa Listahanan database o kaya ay isa kang 4Ps beneficiary. Subalit kung wala kayo sa dalawang nabanggit subalit kayo ay mahirap, ang SLP ang magsasagawa ng “means test” o ang mag-check sa inyong katayuan kung kayo ay qualified,” Loyola clarified. – avds
