‘New Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program law institutionalizes poverty’

MANILA, Philippines — The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) slammed yesterday the signing into law of Republic Act 11310, which institutionalizes the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, saying it also ”institutionalizes” poverty in the country. 

CWR executive director Jojo Guan said 4Ps remains a temporary relief and could never alleviate poverty.

“One of the criticisms on 4Ps is how it disables Filipinos from becoming self-sustaining and independent. The 4P’s doleout mechanism gives an illusion that the government provides all necessary financial assistance to cover the basic needs of families,” Guan said.

RA 11310, which President Duterte signed on April 17, institutionalizes conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor in a bid to improve their health, nutrition and the education of their children up to 18 years old.

Guan said the institutionalization of 4Ps reflects the inadequacies of the government in providing basic social services and its failure to eliminate the roots of poverty in the country.

“4Ps simply distracts people from demanding employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities, and accessible, affordable and good quality government services for health, education, housing and disaster response,” she said. 

Guan said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has yet to complete its assessment of the program. She said there is also a pending motion to evaluate the impact of 4Ps on its beneficiaries.

“Why institutionalize 4Ps when it has yet to prove its value as a program? It will be a waste of public money,” Guan said.

Instead of doleouts, she said poor families should be given jobs with living wage as well as access to free and quality education and basic social services.