Brothers and sisters, I bear great news. This past week, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11310 making the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, better known as the 4Ps, a permanent anti-poverty program of the government.
Under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with other agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the 4Ps has been implemented by the government to help alleviate the lives of the poor through direct financial help. But the monthly funding of the poor is accompanied with certain conditions, such as ensuring the attendance of their children at school, the regular checkup of the pregnant women and vaccination of the children, and attendance to the so-called family development sessions that will help in improving the relationships among married couples. We must understand that the 4Ps is not a solution to the issue of poverty; it merely attempts to stop the so-called intergenerational poverty, poverty that is passed down to children, by ensuring that these children have proper education and health care.
Adopted from the conditional cash transfer or CCT programs from countries in Latin America and Africa, the 4Ps was initiated by the Arroyo administration and was continued by former President Noynoy Aquino. According to the DSWD, since the start of the implementation of the 4Ps from 2008 until February 2019, almost 5 million families have received help from this program.
The implementation of the 4Ps Act can be considered as a way to advocate the rights of society clearly stated in the Constitution. In providing enough funds for this program (hopefully accompanied by effective and appropriate implementation), the human dignity of those clinging to life is finally given protection with the help of the government. They are given the opportunities to use government services, and with this, the difference or inequality in society is being bridged. Investments by the government in education and health for children will ensure the prevention of families passing down their poverty to future generations, gradually achieving the common good.
The great goals of the 4Ps agree with the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Since the release of the first social encyclical Rerum Novarum, the poor are given a voice by the Church in order to help protect them from abuse and the overall system of poverty and suffering. However, we must still give our attention to the implementation of the new law with the true goal of reaching far beyond the needs and primary services for the poor, truly helping them rise from poverty.
First of all, we must ensure that the system in choosing which part of the 4Ps is just and correct. Some criticize that there are parts of the program that are unnecessary, while some righteous parts are not included in the program.
Second, the government must redeem its health and education services for the beneficiaries to achieve proper health and quality education for children. Now that the 4Ps is made permanent, there will no longer be a reason not to sustain the program.
Lastly, implementation of this program must include observance of its effects—whether positive or negative—on poor families. It is not only important to ensure the security of the millions in funding this program, but to help our fellowmen grow in a more positive way and avoid things that deviate from the goals of the 4Ps.
Brothers and sisters, the government stands with the Church in achieving the great goals of the 4Ps, but we must remain vigilant and see its proper implementation.
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