THE government has allocated a significant increase in funding for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the year 2024, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will receive P106.335 billion to support the program, which aims to assist over 4.4 million low-income families across the country.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the P106.335 billion earmarked for the 4Ps is larger compared to the P102.610 billion under the 2023 national budget.
This year’s appropriation covers health subsidies amounting to P750 per month and P600 per month as rice subsidies for 4.4 million households. It also covers educational subsidies ranging from P300-P700 per month for over seven million students.
“This significant funding will greatly benefit millions of our kababayans who are in dire need. As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we will ensure that 4Ps under the Bagong Pilipinas will be provided with needed funding support as this program serves as a lifeline that bridges dreams to reality for many Filipinos,” Pangandaman said.
During his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President directed the DSWD to ensure that only qualified families are included in the 4Ps program.
Additionally, the President enunciated various pro-people initiatives including strengthening assistance programs and ensuring sufficient budget for vulnerable sectors.
The 4Ps serves as a national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfers to poor households for a maximum period of seven years, to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18.