PNoy intensifies program of monthly cash grants to RP’s poorest households

Manila (3 September) — The Aquino Administration will not only continue to grant cash aid to the country’s poorest households, he will also increase the number of beneficiaries from the usual 900,000 poorest families to 1 Million by the end of this year and to 2.3 Million by the end of 2011.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said on Thursday, that with the Asian Development Bank providing a loan of $400 Million, up to 1 Million Filipino families among the country’s poorest households will receive month cash grants of P1,400 by the end of 2010.

Since the program started under the Arroyo administration in 2008, about 900,000 families have received cash incentives from the government under the so-called Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program otherwise known as 4Ps.

The goal of the program is three-folds, to encourage the poorest families to send their children to school, to seek regular health care and to improve their income.

This program is seen to bring about the realization of the MDG goals particularly that of cutting the poverty incidence by half in 2015; increasing the participation rate of children of school age; and reducing mother and child mortality rates.

There are several criteria for a family to be entitled to such cash assistance under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

First, children Children 6 to 14 years old must be enrolled in school and attend at least 85 percent of the classes.

The second criterion is that pregnant women must receive prenatal and postnatal care.

Children under 5 years of age must receive regular preventive health checkups and vaccinations.

Children in elementary schools must receive deworming treatment at least twice a year.

Last but not the least, is that parents must attend Family Development Sessions to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Under the program, families that meet the health commitments will receive P500 per month.

An additional P300 per child per month – with a maximum of P900 per month is given to families who ensure that their children attend at least 85% of the school days. (PIA