45 areas more for 4P’s in WV
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) is expanding to 45 areas more in Western Visayas, said Asst. Director Joel P. Galicia of the Department of Social Welfare and Development field Office VI.
The expansion areas include Balete and Buruanga in Aklan; Carles, Concepcion, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, Ajuy, Batad, Lemery, maasin, San Rafael, Igbaras and San Enrique in Iloilo; Jamindan, Panay, Maayon, Pilar, Tapaz and President Roxas in Capiz; San Lorenzo and Sibunag in Guimaras.
In Negros occidental the following are the target areas: Moises Padilla, Cauayan, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Candoni, City of Sipalay, Isabela, kabankalan City, Toboso, San Carlos City, La Castellana, Ilog, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Escalante City, Murcia, Sagay City, Hinobaan, Cadiz City, Binalbagan, EB Magalona, Hinigaran Manapla, Bago City and Bacolod City.
Galicia said the Memorandum of Agreement has already been signed in Malacanang for the implementation of the 4P’s and the cash grants are expected to be released before end of this year.
He added that orientations are being conducted in the covered provinces for smooth implementation of the program.
The beneficiaries have to comply with the following conditions: 1) pregnant women must get pre- and post-natal care and be attended by skilled/trained health professional during childbirth; 2) parents or guardians must attend responsible parenthood sessions, mothers’ classes and parent effectiveness seminars; 3) children 0-5 years old must receive regular preventive health check ups and vaccines; 4) children 3-5 years old must attend day care or pre-school classes at least 85 percent of the time; 5) children 6-14 years old must enroll in elementary or high school and attend at least 85 percent of the time; and 6) children 6-14 years old must avail of de-worming pills every five months.
The 4P’s is the government’s poverty reduction mechanism that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education.
The program provides conditional cash grants such as P6,000 a year or P500 per month per household for health and nutrition expenses, and P3000 for one school year or 10 months or P300 per month per child, amounting to P1,400 per month or P15,000 annually as long as they comply with the conditions.
Galicia said that as of November the DSWD has already released around P83 million cash grnats to the beneficiaries of 4P’s Set 1 and 2 areas in Antique, Iloilo City and Aklan. (DSWD/PIA/ESS)
