The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supports the country’s economic managers in the pursuit of sustained and inclusive growth through fast implementation of government programs and projects.

This came following the recent approval of the $300 million WorldBank fund support for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which was obtained through the Department of Finance (DOF), as part of its mandate to ensure the funding of critical government programs.

DSWD, for its part, implements various programs and services for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors. One of which is the 4Ps, the country’s conditional cash transfer program that invests in human capital development and in the health and education of poor households.

Households enrolled in the program are entitled to receive cash grants provided that they fulfill their responsibilities, which they agreed to undertake. These include pre- and post-natal check-up for pregnant mothers and their babies; attendance of the parent/s or guardian in the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS); mandatory deworming to children enrolled in elementary at least twice a year; and school attendance of children aged 3-18 years old.

DSWD, being the lead implementer of 4Ps, believes in investing in human capital development so that no one is left behind in the country’s growth and development.

The recent approval of the World Bank’s funding for 4Ps will support the program’s focus on the first 1000 days of the children beneficiaries, improve the school attendance of high school children, and increase the school participation of preschool children.

The Department is confident that with all these developments, and with its strengthened partnership with different stakeholders, the country could end the intergenerational cycle of poverty that is characterized by inadequate education and preventive health care, long term effects of poor nutrition, and lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities. -30-