Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is supporting proposed amendments to Republic Act 11310, also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) law.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon forum that after 17 years of implementation, the 4Ps program requires amendments to align with current needs and ensure its poverty alleviation objectives are met. This initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call to provide equal opportunities to all Filipino families, particularly those struggling financially, to participate in the country's development.

Dumlao emphasized that the proposed changes would focus on increasing investments in the education and health of children from impoverished families to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Among the suggested amendments are extending the seven-year limitation for households in the program, implementing an after-care program for exiting members, and providing tertiary education opportunities for children of 4Ps beneficiaries.

The DSWD projects that 1.3 million families will exit the program by 2026 due to the current seven-year limitation. Dumlao suggested that the amendments could facilitate a transition from a time-based to a needs-based approach, allowing families to exit the program once they achieve self-sufficiency, rather than after a fixed period.

Additionally, after-care interventions are deemed essential to help families maintain their self-sufficiency post-exit, preventing them from regressing into poverty due to unforeseen challenges or disasters. Dumlao highlighted the importance of these interventions to protect the investments made in these families.

Currently, the DSWD offers the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to prepare exiting beneficiaries for entrepreneurship or stable employment. The program includes training and skills-building, with provisions for seed capital for business ventures. Financial literacy and Family Development Sessions on responsible parenthood and resource management are integral components of the 4Ps program.

The DSWD is collaborating with legislators from both the House of Representatives and the Senate to discuss potential amendments to the 4Ps Law, Dumlao added.