DBM: P106.3B allocated under 2024 budget for 4Ps

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated over P100 billion pesos under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to bankroll the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government’s flagship poverty alleviation initiative.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DBM said a total of P106.335 billion was set aside for the 4Ps, which would benefit over 4.4 million households in the country.

The budget for 4Ps this year was higher than the P102.610 billion allocated in 2023 for the program, which is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Broken down, the 4Ps allocation for each of the targeted households covers health subsidies amounting to P750 per month and P600 per month as rice subsidies.

The government aid also includes educational subsidies ranging from P300 to P700 per month for over 7 million students, according to the DBM.

“This significant funding will greatly benefit millions of our kababayans who are in dire need. As directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., we will ensure that 4Ps under the Bagong Pilipinas will be provided with needed funding support as this program serves as a lifeline that bridges dreams to reality for many Filipinos,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program serves as a national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfers to poor households for a maximum period of seven years, to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0 to 18.

Earlier in the month, the DSWD reported that nearly 800,000 families who had graduated from the 4Ps were reinstated into the program. Some 200,000 new applicants were waitlisted.

Last week, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said at least 700,000 households have already graduated from the 4Ps, most of whom were deemed to be “self-sufficient.” — VDV, GMA Integrated News