A House leader expressed gratitude to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approving the release of overdue cash grants to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.

Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said this is a big relief to the 4Ps beneficiaries.

“Malaking tulong po sa ating mga kababayan ang dagdag na budget na ito para sa mga 4Ps beneficiaries. Pinapakita lamang nito na seryoso ang administrasyong Marcos sa pagbibigay serbisyo at tulong sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan,” Tiangco said.

“Umaasa po tayo na magiging tulay ang karagdagang pondong ito para mas maraming pamilyang Pilipino pa ang matulungan ng ating 4Ps program,” he added.

Tiangco has reiterated his full support for the approval of ‘ayuda’ funding in the proposed 2025 budget saying it’s essential to the proper implementation of assistance programs for poor and vulnerable sectors in the country.

“Gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi, suportado po natin ang pagpasa nang buo ng pondo para sa mga social programs ng ating pamahalaan,” Tiangco said.

In a statement, the DBM announced that the P5 billion additional funding will be sourced from the Continuing Appropriations of Fiscal Year 2023.

DBM said the amount will be used to cover the FY 2023 4Ps grants in arrears, which resulted in the deactivation/suspension of 4Ps beneficiaries of around 703,888 households beneficiaries.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas