900 4Ps families get aid for maternal, child health

CEBU, Philippines — To further support pregnant women and child health in Central Visayas, around 6,906 households under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have received financial assistance through the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) cash grant from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The initiative aims to address gaps in maternal and child healthcare such as inadequate prenatal care and nutritional deficiencies that may lead to stunted growth and developmental delays.

The F1KD grant is an additional health and nutrition support for 4Ps households with pregnant women and children aged zero to two years.

For the initial payout covering January and February this year, 3,987 households in Cebu, 1,790 in Bohol, 1,038 in Negros Oriental, and 91 in Siquijor received the cash grant.

Each qualified household member was provided ?350 per month to help cover essential expenses.

According to DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero, the first two months of implementation did not require beneficiaries to meet compliance conditions.

However, moving forward, strict monitoring will be conducted by 4Ps personnel in coordination with local health workers to ensure adherence to program guidelines.

Pregnant beneficiaries under 4Ps will be evaluated based on their compliance with healthcare services, including prenatal checkups, pregnancy tracking, delivery in DOH-accredited health facilities, postnatal visits, participation in counseling sessions, and receipt of necessary micronutrient supplements and immunizations.

Lucero emphasized that the number of F1KD beneficiaries might increase as more households update their profiles.

"So we are still encouraging our active 4Ps partner beneficiaries with pregnant members or children aged 24 months and below to update their household profiles by visiting their 4Ps City and Municipal Links or using the i-Registro, which is a digital and self-service platform," said Lucero.

The F1KD initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 11148, also known as the "Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act", which seeks to combat malnutrition and stunting among children.

The law’s objective is to improve children's access to healthcare services, particularly among vulnerable communities, by strengthening nutrition and health interventions. (CEBU NEWS)