Tulfo proposes 4Ps cash grant be issued in ‘lump sum’

Instead of a monthly distribution, incoming Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday proposed that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program's (4Ps') conditional cash assistance be given in a “lump sum” so that beneficiaries may use it as capital for small businesses.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Tulfo promised continuous financial assistance for marginalized Filipinos under the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Ang plano natin… kung pwede i-lump sum na lang sa isang tao, isang pamilya yung kaniyang 4Ps. Kasi ngayon po tumatanggap ata ng P1200 or P1400 per month. Bakit hindi na lang i-lump sum na for one year? Ito yung P12,000 to P14,000 i-negosyo mo,” he said.

(Our plan is, if possible, the 4Ps can be given in a lump sum to a person, a family. Right now, they are receiving P1,200 to P1,400 per month. Why not make it a lump sum for a year? That P12,000 to P14,000 may be used to start a business.)

“Why not give it as a lump sum para magamit pang kabuhayan o dagdagan pa natin ng livelihood para mas malaki-laki. From P14,000 magiging P19,000 to P20,000 na po yan. Kaya matitigil na ang monthly at makatayo na sila sa sarili nilang mga paa,” he added.

(Why not give it as a lump sum to be used for livelihood? We can also add more to make it up to P19,000 to P20,000. That way the monthly cash assistance will stop and they will be able to stand on their own feet.)

He, however, clarified that his proposal would first be studied by experts and social workers. It would also undergo a dry-run in all barangays in the country before implementation.

“If it will fail then hindi po natin ipagpapatuloy balik tayo sa 4Ps na every month,” he said.

(If it will fail, then we won't go ahead with the plan and we will go back to monthly 4Ps.)

Incoming Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Monday announced that Marcos Jr. had tapped Tulfo as the next chief of the DSWD.

Tulfo earlier disclosed that the incoming President’s “marching order” for his Cabinet members was to prioritize the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

As for the DSWD, he said Marcos instructed them to “update” the lists of 4Ps beneficiaries in the country and digitalize the distribution of cash grants or “ayuda” to expedite its issuance to poor Filipinos.

The national government's 4Ps poverty alleviation program provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor to respond to their immediate needs.

Among the conditions qualified households should meet for the continued eligibility in the program were: pregnant women must avail pre-and post-natal care, and be attended to during childbirth by a trained professional; parents or guardians must attend the family development sessions, which include topics on responsible parenting, health, and nutrition; children aged 0-5 must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines; children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills twice a year; and children-beneficiaries aged 3-18 must enroll in school, and maintain an attendance of at least 85% of class days every month.

Rehabilitation center for youths

Apart from restructuring the 4Ps, Tulfo said he would push for the creation of facilities for the rehabilitation of youths once he assumes his post as DSWD secretary.

He lamented how the Philippines has laws for juvenile delinquents but does not have centers where they can be taught and nourished.

“Ang problema kasi walang paglalagakan. Kaya ang kailangan ay isang shelter like youth reception center to put them there temporarily and rehabilitate them,” said Tulfo.

(The problem is we don’t have a space for them. We need shelters like a youth reception center to put them there temporarily and rehabilitate them.)

“Ang isa pa, mayroon tayong juvenile justice law, yung mga nagkasala na mga kabataan… Ang nangyayari hindi naman nakukulong bagkus pinapauwi lang. Understandable kasi wala namang paglalagyan sa kanila. The government should build ‘yung mga tinatawag na parang youth rehabilitation centers in every region para dun sila ilagay,” he said.

(We also have a juvenile justice law but erring youths end up just being sent home. That’s understandable because we don’t have shelters for them. The government should build youth rehabilitation centers in every region where they can be homed.)

“Hindi naman ito kulungan… We will tell them, 'You are just here because you have to be retrained so you can go back to your families as a regular citizen at para mayroon pa kayong future,'” he added.

(It will not be a prison. We will tell them, "You are just here because you have to be retrained so you can go back to your families as a regular citizen and so that you will have a future.") — DVM, GMA News