Marcos eyes amendments to 4Ps program

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Friday that the government is studying amending the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to ensure that it provides better services to the public.

''Pinagaaralan natin ang pagaamyenda ng 4Ps Act upang mas matugunan nang wasto ang sitwasyon ng ating mga benepisyaryo,'' Marcos said in his speech during the Kumustahan ng Pamilyang Matatag: Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid at Unang Pamilya.

(We are studying amending the 4Ps Act to properly address the situation of beneficiaries.)

''Sinisiguro po natin na bawat hakbang ay nakabatay sa masusing pagsusuri upang manatiling matibay at epektibo ang 4Ps para sa lahat ng nangangailangan,'' he added.

(We ensure that each step will be based on a thorough examination to ensure that the 4Ps remain effective for those who are in need.) 

Marcos did not elaborate the amendments being considered for the program.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) projects the 4Ps program to help around three million Filipinos get out of poverty. 

The program is more than about cash dole-outs, the DSWD said, as part of the conditions to receive the benefits is that the household's children go to school and that they make regular visits to health centers.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier said that amendments to the 4Ps program would allow beneficiaries to stay in the program as long as they needed to.

Gatchalian said that the length of a beneficiary’s stay in the program should depend on their state and quality of life and if they would be able to support themselves after graduating from the said program. —VAL, GMA Integrated News