Gov. Petilla expands 4Ps coverage

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  — Governor Jericho "Icot" Petilla has signed a memorandum of agreement expanding the coverage of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Leyte province from only 10 towns to 22.

The signing was held in Malacañang together with Leyte mayors, other governors and DSWD officials.

Petilla said boosting the number of 4Ps beneficiaries is part of the DSWD's efforts in reducing the vulnerabilities of the poor and the disadvantaged sectors.

The 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development program providing conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly of children aged zero to 14.

Cash grants, amounting to P1,400 monthly, are released every three months through a Landbank cash card or over-the-counter payment.

Petilla however encouraged family-beneficiaries to make use of the amount conscientiously after observations were made that some of them have used the money for other purpose.

"We advise them to really utilize the fund for what it is intended for as they run the risk of being disqualified to continue in the program," said the governor.

Just this February, about P5.460 million was released to 449 household beneficiaries of 4Ps in San Miguel town.

The 4Ps has dual objectives. The first is social assistance which provides cash assistance to the poor for their immediate need or short term poverty alleviation and social development which aim to break the intergenerational poverty cycle through investments in human capital.

4Ps helps to fulfill the country's commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goals, namely, to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality; reduce child mortality; and improve maternal health. (FREEMAN)