Manila: An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) announced that the agency is considering a potential collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to assist graduating household beneficiaries in accessing affordable housing options.

According to Philippines News Agency, Director Gemma Gabuya, the 4Ps National Program Manager, mentioned during the DSWD's online program, '4Ps Fastbreak,' that exploratory talks are underway with the DHSUD. The aim is to determine how 4Ps beneficiaries can avail themselves of the 4PH program of the DHSUD. As part of these discussions, the focus is on preparing beneficiaries to own homes before they exit the program.

The exploratory meeting outlined the need to draft a memorandum of agreement (MOA) and a data-sharing agreement (DSA) with the DHSUD. These agreements aim to identify the list of 4Ps beneficiaries capable of purchasing affordable housing units.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian initiated discussions with DHSUD officials, led by Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, on June 19 to explore potential housing projects for exiting 4Ps households. Gatchalian emphasized the importance of housing assistance for 4Ps beneficiaries to facilitate a smoother and more dignified transition towards self-sufficiency.

The 4Ps, launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act 11310 in 2019, is a national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program. It provides conditional cash transfers to poor households for up to seven years to improve their children's health, nutrition, and education.