June 24, 2024 - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its institutionalization with a four-day event from June 25 to June 28, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.
Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Monday that the celebration aims to highlight the program's achievements and encourage stakeholders to work towards a better future for 4Ps beneficiaries. The National Program Management Office (NPMO) of the 4Ps is spearheading the event.
The 4Ps program, launched in 2008, provides conditional cash transfers to millions of poor Filipino households. Beneficiaries receive monetary assistance on the condition that their children attend school and get regular check-ups. The program has been credited with helping improve the lives of many Filipinos by increasing school enrollment, immunization rates, and access to prenatal care.
According to the DSWD, as of December 2023, there were over 4.2 million households enrolled in the 4Ps program. These households receive cash grants every quarter, with the amount depending on the number of children enrolled in school and complying with health check-ups. The program is a key component of the DSWD's social protection strategy and is seen as a vital tool in alleviating poverty and promoting human development in the Philippines.
The four-day celebration is expected to include various activities, such as forums, exhibits, and awarding ceremonies. These events will likely showcase the program's successes over the past five years and discuss its future directions. Stakeholders from the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector are expected to participate in the celebration.