4.3M ‘poorest’ Pinoys deprived of 4Ps aid in 2023 because of Sen. Imee
ALMOST 900,000 families or 4.3 million Filipinos who belong to the poorest sections of society did not receive assistance from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2023 because Sen. Imee Marcos allegedly removed the fund for them.
Ako Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon claimed that Sen. Marcos allegedly transferred the funds for the 4Ps beneficiaries to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
“If we do the math, P13 billion divided by P15,000 per household per year, means 867,000 families or 4.3 million poor individuals got zero cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s 4Ps program last year, thanks to Sen. Imee,” Bongalon said.
Bongalon described the withdrawal of funds as cruel and lack of conscience.
The 4Ps program is a conditional cash grants for the poorest families to improve their health, nutrition, and children’s education.
“As vice chair of the Committee on Appropriations, I learned that it was Sen. Marcos – as head of the Senate finance sub-committee in charge of DSWD’s budget – who slashed P13-billion from the 4Ps budget. This left the most vulnerable sectors without financial aid last year, possibly until the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) receives its 2024 budget,” Bongalon said.
The fund was allegedly given by Sen. Marcos to some select allies such as Vice President Sara Duterte, instead of the families enrolled in the 4Ps program.
According to Bongalon, he also heard rumors that Sen. Marcos made budget transfers but said he is still completing the data.
“Sen. Imee takes issue with AKAP or Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program of the House of Representatives which will provide cash grants to our ‘near poor’ kababayans. It’s ironic that she even wants a Senate inquiry into AKAP when she should be the one investigated for depriving the ‘poorest of the poor’ of P13-billion last year,” Bongalon stressed.
The 4Ps program is implemented in 17 regions of the country and its beneficiaries are selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
Each 4Ps beneficiary family with three children will receive P1,400 monthly aid or a total of P15,000 per year for five years.
