Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has issued a directive to reassess beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in order to improve the implementation of the program.
The focus of the reassessment will be on beneficiaries who were previously identified as “non-poor” by the Listahanan 3 targeting system used by the program.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that the DSWD will employ the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) tool to assess and monitor the living conditions of 4Ps households. The SWDI tool serves as a case management tool that measures the economic sufficiency and social adequacy of households, enabling the DSWD to determine their progress.
Beneficiaries found to be “self-sufficient” through the assessment process will undergo the graduation process of the 4Ps program and officially exit the program through the Pugay-Tagumpay ceremony.
The results from the SWDI tool will help identify the necessary interventions needed by families to achieve self-sufficiency.
Secretary Gatchalian encouraged 4Ps beneficiaries to continue fulfilling the program's conditions, not just for the cash grants but for the overall benefit of their children and families.
These conditions include ensuring that school-aged children attend and remain in school, regular check-ups for children below five years of age, pre and post-natal care for mothers, and active participation in monthly Family Development Sessions.
Secretary Gatchalian assured graduating 4Ps households of the DSWD's ongoing support, as well as assistance from their respective local government units (LGUs).
The LGUs will provide additional interventions and services after graduation to help sustain the beneficiaries' improved well-being.
