DSWD to identify new 4Ps beneficiaries

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced that new beneficiaries will be identified for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), according to Bernadette Reyes’ “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles earlier said the DSWD is in the process of validating the list of 1.3 million 4Ps beneficiaries who were no longer qualified to receive cash aid because of their improved lot.

According to the DSWD, they will inform those who will be removed from the list.

“Ibig sabihin ho, kulang na or wala si?a sa requirement para maging poor or tumanggap ano po ba yun aba’y kung graduate na ang mga anak nila, may trabaho na sila, medyo malaki na ang kinikita. Yung mga anak nila nasa OFWs na ho natutulungan na ho sila inaalis na ho natin para yung kanilang pwesto ibigay natin sa mga wala pong natatanggap at all,” Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo said.

(This means, they lack or don’t have the requirement to be poor or receive the benefits, for example if their children have graduated, they already have a job, their income is quite big. Their children who are OFWs can help them, we are removing them so that we can give their benefits to those who do not receive anything at all.)

This was good news to some families that they may be included in the 4Ps beneficiary list.

“Kailangan po talaga ng tulong namin. Tulad nito may anak akong special child. Malaking bagay po kahit papaano makakabili tayo ng karne ngayon, tulad ngayon sardinas ulam namin. Yung anak ko kailangan ng suporta ng gamot niyan eh,” vendor Robert Chang Jr. said.

(We really need help. I have a special child. It is a big thing that somehow we can buy meat now, right now we sardines for our viand. I also need support for my child.)

However, the family of Jamaica Sarmiento -- a 4Ps beneficiary -- expressed concerns that they may be removed from the list, saying that their income is still not sufficient despite her parents having a job as helpers and her brother has also graduated.

“Baka po makatigil sa pag-aaral para makapagtrabaho po makabili po ng gatas ng anak at diaper,” Sarmiento said.

(Maybe I will stop studying so I can work and buy milk and diapers.)

According to DSWD, its staff will interview families who can be included in the beneficiaries of the said program.

“Titignan pa rin po, hindi naman automatic na porke't may trabaho ka hindi ka na papasok dyan, mga single moms tinitignan din natin, kahit may trabaho ka pero single mom, your pay [salary] is not enough to support two or three kids and you have it all by yourself and you are the head of the household,” Tulfo said.

If the 4Ps beneficiaries move to a new residence area, the DSWD said they can register with the regional DSWD office to be included in the list and receive assistance. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News