Miriam vows to give LGUs a say in 4Ps  

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Monday vowed to improve the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) if elected as president this May.

In a statement, Santiago said there are many leakages in the 4Ps that need to be addressed, among them the lack of participation of local government units (LGUs) especially in the administration of the program.

“LGUs should be involved so that they will also get credit for the 4Ps. The DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) has no monopoly of righteousness,” Santiago said.

Santiago said that while the DSWD should remain as the lead agency to supervise the 4Ps, the government should tap the LGUs’ assistance in order to reduce the program’s administrative cost.

“Besides, social welfare is a devolved function. Local authorities should be given a chance to prove their worth,” she said.

The 4Ps, a poverty alleviation program which spanned the administrations of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, gives monthly cash assistance to the indigent families on the condition that the children will go to school.

In a survey released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) on Sunday, it showed that 80 percent of Filipinos will vote for candidates who will push for the continuation of the 4Ps.

However, despite accolade, the conditional cash transfer (CCT) component of the program has been controversial because of allegations of corruption and lack of absorptive capacity of the implementing agencies, especially the DSWD.

Santiago said that to insulate the program from corruption, her administration will create an inter-agency council that will oversee its implementation.

“We should also put in place mechanisms to penalize those who use the program for personal or political gain,” Santiago said.

Santiago said her administration will also introduce a grant-for-work component in the program, which would give higher stipends to beneficiary families whose father or mother is working.

“There is more pride in working than in getting dole-outs,” Santiago said.

Santiago said she will also push for the passage of her pending bill in the Senate which seeks to expand 4Ps’ education coverage.

Santiago’s Senate Bill 2858 filed in July 2015 seeks to expand the reach of 4Ps’ education component to include children aged 15 to 18 years old from the current 0 to 14 years old to ensure that the current beneficiaries will finish high school.

“We need to invest in our people. Only by investing in people can we truly make growth inclusive. Only if the young are educated and healthy can they benefit from growing economic prosperity,” Santiago said.

The DSWD had earlier expanded the 4Ps coverage to include 15 to 18 years old but only in selected poor provinces. — Elizabeth Marcelo/RSJ, GMA News