The Philippine government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is helping nearly 9 million children through its main poverty-fighting project called the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. This program gives poor families money every month, as long as they follow certain rules—like sending their kids to school and making sure they get health check-ups.
Launched in 2008 and made official by law in 2019, the 4Ps continues to be a key tool to fight poverty in the Philippines. It aims to give poor families a better future by helping children grow up healthy and educated. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao from the DSWD shared that the program has made it possible for millions of children to go to school and stay healthy.
Today, the 4Ps program supports more than 4.4 million active households all over the country, even in faraway places like the Bangsamoro region. The program also includes vulnerable groups like senior citizens, solo parents, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities. Its goal is not only to help people survive but also to give them a chance to succeed in life.
Helping Kids Go to School and Stay Healthy
The 4Ps focuses on two main things: education and health. It makes sure children in poor families get the support they need to study and grow up strong. So far, the results are impressive:
- Over 1 million young people have finished high school.
- Nearly 480,000 children have graduated from elementary school.
- Around 40,000 past beneficiaries have passed board exams, and 65 of them even ranked among the top.
Aside from school, the program also takes care of children’s health. It requires kids to visit health centers for check-ups and vaccines, and it teaches parents how to keep their families healthy. This way, children can grow up ready to succeed.
Where the Help is Going
The 4Ps is active all across the Philippines. Some regions have more beneficiaries than others. Here’s a quick look:
- Bicol Region: 377,147 households
- BARMM (Bangsamoro): 230,463 households
- Other Regions Combined: 3,792,390 households
Total: 4.4 million households
Even in remote or hard-to-reach areas, the DSWD makes sure help is delivered. This shows how committed the program is to reaching every family in need.
Aid for Vulnerable Sectors
The program doesn’t just help families with kids. It also includes many vulnerable groups:
- Senior citizens: 1,223,183
- Solo parents: 284,800
- Indigenous peoples: 269,747
- Persons with disabilities (PWDs): 50,200
By giving support to these groups, the program helps more people live better lives. Many of them now have the chance to support their children’s schooling and healthcare needs.
Women Leading the Way
One special thing about the 4Ps is that most of the program’s beneficiaries are women. In fact:
- 86% of the cash grantees are female
- 14% are male
This shows how important women are in making sure families follow the rules of the program and use the money wisely—for school supplies, food, and healthcare.
Building a Better Future
The 4Ps program is not just about giving money. It’s about helping families escape poverty for good. By focusing on children’s education and health, the government is building a stronger, smarter, and healthier future generation.
The DSWD plans to keep improving the program. Future steps include:
- Better monitoring to make sure families follow the rules.
- Extra support like job training for parents.
- Stronger partnerships with local governments for smoother implementation.
With nearly 9 million kids already benefiting, 4Ps continues to be a key part of the country’s plan to reduce poverty and build a better life for all Filipinos. The program proves that smart investments in people can make a real difference.