“The Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a human development program of the
government that invests in the health and education of poor households
particularly of children aged 0-14 years. It
provides cash grants to beneficiaries provided that they comply with the sets of
conditions required by the program.” –dswd.gov.ph
Its objectives are to provide cash
assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate need (social assistance)
and to break the intergenerational poverty cycle through investment in the
human capital (social development).
As per observation, the program is
of great help to the Filipino people especially to those who are trapped in
severe poverty. As a matter of fact, I know several families
that have improved their livings and who can already send their children to school
because of 4Ps. However, the program like any other, have loopholes. The system is dole out. Although conditions
and monitoring are set to ensure that the cash granted is used appropriately,
it teaches the people to become dependent to it. Some do not make an effort and strive hard to
make a living of their own any longer because everything is already being
provided. And corruption is rampant and/or already a culture in the Philippine
government, proper implementation is a subject concerned, more particularly in
the local government level. Endorsement and/or recommendation from Local
Government Unit (LGU) is vital in choosing program beneficiaries. But because
of what we call “politics” unfair selection process is practiced. There are
those who should not be part of the program who have availed the 4Ps government
assistance being relatives or diehard voters of the barangay captain, mayor and
the like. And those who are in extreme poverty that are supposed to have been chosen
but because are not allied to the local officials are being ignored and
disregarded.
Certainly, the government’s good
intention to alleviate the situation of those who are tremendously in need is evidently
clear in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Philippines. What
they do not see are the undesirable and negative effects of it. It would be
better, I think, if the government conducts thorough investigations and
inspections to improve the program and address the issues concerned and ensure
that those who are really extremely poor get to enjoy the program. And maybe it
would also be great for the government to provide these people with livelihood
program or employment that teaches them to make every effort to work hard and make
a living out of their own sweat and not just wait for whatever subsidy or help
from the government--- sabi nga eh "do not give them the fish, but rather, teach them how to catch a fish". In this way, they become self-reliant to put food on their
table and feed their families.
