Manila: As classes for the school year 2025-2026 officially started in public schools, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday reminded beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to ensure that their school-aged children are enrolled and regularly attending their classes.
According to Philippines News Agency, Director Gemma Gabuya, the 4Ps National Program Manager, emphasized the importance of education for these children, not only as a requirement for receiving educational grants but also as a crucial step towards securing a better future. Gabuya stated that maintaining school attendance is vital for the development of children and the compliance with the program's educational grants.
The program stipulates that children aged 3 to 18 must be enrolled in school and maintain an 85 percent attendance rate to qualify for cash grants. Gabuya expressed gratitude towards parent-beneficiaries who took part in the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela 2025 initiative, which focuses on ensuring that schools are clean and safe for students.
Additionally, the 4Ps program implements the Bata Balik Eskwela (BBE) campaign, which aims to encourage out-of-school children from low-income families to resume their education either through formal schooling or the Alternative Learning System (ALS). Gabuya assured that efforts are in place to support children who may struggle to meet the program's educational requirements.
Established in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps serves as a national strategy for poverty reduction and human capital investment. It provides conditional cash transfers to impoverished households for up to seven years, with the aim of improving children's health, nutrition, and education.
To remain eligible for these cash grants, beneficiaries must adhere to several conditions, such as sending their children to school, ensuring health check-ups at health centers, and attending Family Development Sessions (FDS) organized by the DSWD. The program's focus on children's health and education is intended to foster development and break the cycle of poverty across generations.
