MANILA Mayor Joseph E. Estrada recently received the latest batch of leaders, who will serve as allies of the local government in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“A special welcome for our new parent-leaders who were sworn in as new partners for the success of 4Ps here in our city,” Estrada said in a simple oath-taking ceremony held recently at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The 4Ps is a development program led by the national government aimed at extending conditional-cash grants to the poorest Filipinos to improve the health, nutrition and the education of children.
These new parent-leaders will always be available in their neighborhood to provide answers regarding the needs of beneficiaries, he said.
Under the program, a monthly stipend of up to P1,400 will be given to a family, provided the children regularly attend school, and the mother, if pregnant, seeks pre- and postnatal care, Estrada added.
As for other developments, Estrada announced that his constituents can now avail themselves of the capital assistance program and short-term job training courses of the Manila City Hall for them to start small enterprises.
He said that the 4Ps initiative is not the solution to arrest them out of poverty, but a government program that assists families to pay for the education of the youth to achieve their dreams.
“The 4Ps is the bridge that will lead the way for you to reach your destination to success. It is not the solution to your present predicament,” he added.
Citing a study of the University of the Philippines, Estrada said Manila has the highest poverty rate in the National Capital Region.
Currently, there are 47,960 poor families in the country’s capital that benefit from the 4Ps.
Estrada assured his administration is doing the best effort to provide decent jobs through various livelihood programs, free education and modern medical facilities.
Estrada lauded the Manila Department of Social Welfare headed by Nanette Tanyag for its continuous support to alleviate the lives of Manileños.
