Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

Introduction
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps (formerly Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino) is a conditional cash transfer program of the Philippine government under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.[1] It aims to eradicate extreme poverty in the Philippines by investing in heath and education particularly in ages 0–14.[2] It is patterned on programs in other developing countries like Brazil (Oportunidades) and Mexico (Bolsa Família).[3] The 4Ps program now operates in 17 region, 79 provinces and 1,261 municipalities and 138 key cities covering 3,014,586 household beneficiary. Program structure[edit]

Objective[edit]
The program have focused on two objectives:
1. Social assistance: provide cash assistance to address the short-term financial need. 2. Social development: by investing in capability building they will be able to break intergenerational poverty cycle. Eligibility[edit]

The poorest among poor families as identified by 2003 Small Area Estimate (SAE) survey of National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) are eligible. The poorest among poor are selected through a proxy-means test.[6] Economic indicators such as ownership of assets, type of housing, education of the household head, livelihood of the family and access to water and sanitation facilities are proxy variables to indicate the family economic category.[7] Additional qualification is a household that has children 0–14 years old and/or have pregnant women during the assessment and shall agree on all the conditions set by the government to enter the program. Background

The Department of Social Welfare and Development patterned the conditional cash transfer system from developing countries particular in Brazil and Mexico.[4] In 2007, the DSWD pre-pilot tested in municipalities of Sibagat andEsperanza in Agusan del Sur; the municipalities of Lopez Jaena and Bonifacio in Misamis Occidental, the Caraga Region; and the cities of Pasay and Caloocan in a 50 million pesos budget.[5] It was renamed Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on July 16, 2008 by administrative order number 16, series of 2008 and set implementing guidelines. Reaction

As a Filipino citizen, I am grateful that the government of today is making way to lessen the level of poverty here in our country. Also, it is satisfying that the government authorities are doing their tasks as an official and perform those promises they’ve told to the mass. However, I am against of the fact that they are giving out cash. They could have given goods instead or more specifically rice. Yes, the money had been helping these beneficiaries; then again they are not certain that the money goes to appropriate expenditures of the family. Another possible concern about this program is the truthfulness of the people involved to keep the budget for the program. It is probable that this charity may perhaps lead to corruption.

It was mentioned in the article that the program will end after five years. If they really desire to decrease the rate of poverty, they might as well go all-out in helping these people. If my voice can be heard, I will recommend offering jobs and skills training to the beneficiaries for I am certain that employment is the main route out of poverty. Besides providing a livelihood, it will also support the growth in our economy. Finally, increasing the employability of poor people unlocks their potential to contribute to economic growth.