Sunday, December 16, 2012

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

“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.