DSWD to delist 4Ps grantees caught gambling, using drugs

CEBU, Philippines — Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries engaging in any illegal activities will be removed from the program.

This is in line with Memorandum Circular 38 or the Guidelines on the Commission of Prohibited Acts by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Beneficiaries during state of calamity or national emergency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DSWD-7 recently released this memorandum circular to provide stiffer policies against erring beneficiaries.

DSWD-7 regional director Rebecca Geamala said her office received reports that some beneficiaries are using the cash subsidy for illegal activities.

Most of those are reportedly engaged in illegal cockfighting or “tigbakay.”

“We would like to imbibe to the 4Ps beneficiaries the sense of responsibility in using the subsidy to augment their needs. We know that the amount is not enough to cover all their needs, but it would be a great help, especially in purchasing their food and other essentials,” said Geamala in a statement.

According to DSWD, the household cash grants are automatically suspended if a household member is found out to have engaged in prohibited acts.

These prohibited acts, the department said, include gambling, use of cash grants for alcoholic beverages, use of any prohibited or illegal drugs, intentional claiming of same grants twice, violation of any existing national and local laws, violation of any rules implemented by the national and local governments to address the contingency, and other vices and prohibited conducts of similar nature.

 “This measure is not to penalize but to encourage program beneficiaries to be responsible and prudent in spending the grants given to them,” said Geamala.

She said the reinstatement of the household shall be based on the recommendation of the assigned case worker.

Under the 4Ps programs, the beneficiaries will receive their regular full grants for a particular period with compliance with program conditions.

These conditions include sending and keeping the school-aged children in school, pre and post-natal care of mothers, regular and preventive check-ups of children aged five and below, deworming of children aged six to14, and attendance in the monthly family development sessions.

Gaemala said 4Ps beneficiaries are always reminded that the cash assistance must be put to good use and should not be spent outside of its intended purpose, more so, illegal activities.

The agency said the guidelines are only applicable during the declaration of the state of calamity, national emergency, or other extraordinary conditions.

DSWD added that the declaration of public health emergency in March 2020 allowed the 18 million low-income poor families, including 4Ps beneficiaries, who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis to receive the emergency subsidy mandated by Republic Act (RA) No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”

The emergency cash subsidy provided the beneficiaries additional funds to purchase basic needs like food, medicines, vitamins, and hygiene essentials.

The 4Ps became law in April of 2019. It is the government’s major poverty alleviation program that invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor eligible households. — KQD (FREEMAN)