The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has earmarked a substantial sum exceeding P100 billion within the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to fund the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Philippine government’s cornerstone initiative aimed at poverty alleviation.
A total of P106.335 billion has been designated for the 4Ps for the year 2024, marking an increase from the P102.610 billion allocated in 2023. This funding is intended to assist over 4.4 million households nationwide, under the auspices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The detailed breakdown of the allocation includes health subsidies of P750 monthly and rice subsidies of P600 monthly per household. Additionally, the program provides educational subsidies varying between P300 to P700 monthly for over 7 million students, as detailed by the DBM.
The enhanced budget reflects the government’s commitment to supporting millions of Filipinos in need. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman highlighted the administration’s dedication to ensuring the 4Ps receives necessary funding, as per President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive. The program is viewed as a vital conduit for transforming aspirations into tangible outcomes for numerous Filipino families.
The 4Ps is structured as a national strategy for poverty reduction and an investment in human capital. It offers conditional cash transfers to impoverished households for up to seven years, aiming to bolster the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0 to 18.
Recent updates from the DSWD indicate that close to 800,000 families previously graduated from the 4Ps were reintegrated, with an additional 200,000 new applicants waitlisted. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that about 700,000 households have successfully graduated from the program, achieving self-sufficiency.