Around 40 members of the “Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pantawid” (SNPP) proceeded to the Central Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earlier today, September 13, to clarify the alleged plans of the Department to delist Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries who have transitioned to non-poor status.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Hope V. Hervilla from the Protective Services Bureau greeted the beneficiaries and assured them that transitioning families will continue to receive the services provided by the program until they can stand on their own feet.

She also encouraged the beneficiaries to formally set a dialogue with DSWD and 4Ps officers in order to clarify other concerns such as the basis for the list of beneficiaries who have moved out of poverty, removal of health grants, rice subsidy, and other pressing matters.

Currently, the DSWD is planning to develop a program that will ensure that 4Ps beneficiaries will not slide back to poverty after their transition to self-sufficiency.

“Gusto ko pong ulitin na walang dapat ipangamba ang ating mga kababayang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps na matatanggal sila sa programa. Ang mga pamilyang nakarating na sa non-poor status ay mananatili sa programa at bibigyan ng nararapat na interventions upang mas lalong mapabuti ang kanilang mga katayuan sa buhay (I want to reiterate that 4Ps beneficiaries will not be delisted from the program. The families who are now under the non-poor status will remain in the program and will receive proper interventions so that their status will continue to improve),” assured Asec. Hervilla further stressing the position of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on the plight of beneficiaries. ###