DBM releases addt'l P5B to cover unpaid 4Ps cash grants in 2023

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday announced the release of an additional P5 billion to cover the unpaid cash grants to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)—the flagship anti-poverty initiative of the government—last year.

In a statement, the DBM said the P5 billion will be sourced from Fiscal Year 2023’s Continuing Appropriations.

The amount, the Budget Department said, will cover arrears in 4Ps grants last year, which resulted from the suspension of about 703,888 household beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) withheld the granting of cash aids to over 700,000 households under 4Ps in the latter part of 2023, pending the evaluation of their qualification status.

"Through this allocation, the DSWD can continue its critical work without interruption, providing much-needed assistance to our most vulnerable citizens,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

Institutionalized by Republic Act 11310, the 4Ps provide conditional cash transfers to qualified poor households for a maximum period of seven years.

Farmers, fishermen, homeless families, indigenous peoples, those from the informal sector, and those living in isolated and disadvantaged areas, including places without electricity, are the ones qualified for the program.

According to the law, the beneficiaries would be given a monthly grant of not less than P300 per child enrolled in daycare and elementary programs for a maximum of 10 months a year, P500 per child enrolled in junior high school, and P700 per child enrolled in senior high school.

A health and nutrition grant of not less than P750 per month for a maximum of 12 months per year will also be given to the beneficiaries.

Pangandaman said the P5 billion in additional funds would help ease the effect of inflation on Filipinos.

“Makakatulong po ito para maibsan ang epekto ng inflation sa ating mga kababayan (This will help alleviate the effects of inflation on our countrymen). The DBM will do its part to streamline budget processes so that our citizens benefit from faster and more efficient delivery of essential services such as our 4Ps,” she added. 

Inflation, or the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services, accelerated to 4.4% in July from 3.7% in June due to a faster rise in utilities, food, and transportation costs.

In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reported that over 420,000 households have graduated from the 4Ps or been assessed as self-sufficient since his previous SONA.

“With a noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the 4Ps has not only consistently accomplished its annual target; it has also proven its efficacy over the years,” said the President.

The DBM said the additional funding will strengthen the government’s anti-poverty efforts, “allowing the initiative to sustain operations and reach even more families.”  — VBL, GMA Integrated News