Marcos approves 4Ps expansion

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday approved the expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to include pregnant and lactating women.

The expansion of the 4Ps intends to encourage mothers to provide for the health needs of their children during the first 1,000 days, or three months, of their lives.

Marcos ordered the wider coverage of the 4Ps during a sectoral meeting that tackled proposals on reforming the government’s cash transfer program, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

The PCO said the approval was meant to ensure that pregnant and lactating women would seek health services to address their children’s health needs.

In a post on Instagram, Marcos expressed optimism that the expanded 4Ps program would promote the health of children.

“Good news for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers! We have expanded the scope of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to include you,” the President said.

“With this move, we can ensure the health and nutrition of our babies during the crucial first 1,000 days of their lives,” he added.

Marcos ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Economic and Development Authority to determine the final number of beneficiaries and submit this to him so necessary adjustments could be made.

He stressed the importance of providing additional support to the program.

The PCO did not provide details regarding additional budget to be allotted to the government’s flagship poverty reduction program.

Under the 4Ps, qualified families will receive financial aid if they send their children to school and avail themselves of health services offered by the government.

Families whose children are in daycare or elementary schools and who comply with the program’s conditions will receive a monthly stipend of P300 per child for 10 months.

The program also provides P500 monthly for every child in junior high school and P700 for senior high school for 10 months.

A monthly cash aid amounting to P750 is given to households for 12 months if their children, aged two to 14 years, undergo growth development and monitoring, deworming and attend family development sessions.

In February, the DSWD suggested increasing grants given under the 4Ps to cover the first 1,000 days of children.

The DSWD said the adjustments would help raise the purchasing power of the beneficiaries and give them incentives to improve compliance with the program’s conditions designed to address malnutrition and stunting.