Over 4.4M Filipinos to benefit from P106-B allocation for 4Ps

FILE: Children learn how to properly cross the street using the pedestrian lane in Barangay Immaculate Conception, Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday (Oct. 1, 2022). The village is holding its own version of Children’s Month with various activities like planting, making kundol (winter melon) candies, storytelling sessions, puppet shows, and games. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA – More than 4.4 million members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will benefit from the PHP106.335-billion allocation for the program for 2024, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DBM said this year’s budget for the 4Ps under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) would be used for the PHP750 monthly health subsidies and PHP600 monthly rice subsidies for 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiaries.

The DBM added the fund would also cover educational subsidies ranging from PHP300 to PHP700 per month for over 7 million students.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the PHP106.335 billion allocated to the 4Ps is higher compared to the PHP102.610 billion allocated from the previous year under the 2023 GAA.

“This significant funding will greatly benefit millions of our kababayans (countrymen) who are in dire need,” Pangandaman said.

“As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we will ensure that 4Ps under the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) will be provided with needed funding support as this program serves as a lifeline that bridges dreams to reality for many Filipinos,” she added.

The 4Ps, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, serves as a national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program of the government.

The program provides social protection, social assistance, social development and other complementary support services in partnership with concerned agencies, local government and other stakeholders towards improving the health and nutrition, education and socio-economic aspects of 4Ps beneficiaries.

Qualified beneficiaries may benefit from the program for a maximum period of seven years.