(Eagle News)–Senator Leila de Lima has allayed fears the new law institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) would make its intended beneficiaries too reliant on government’s cash doleouts.
De Lima, the principal sponsor and author of the 4Ps bill in the Senate which was signed into law as RA 11310 by President Rodrigo Duterte, said in the first place, the cash transfers under the program are not provided forever, and are merely limited to seven years.
“And by limiting the years of membership in the program to seven years, the beneficiaries are already reminded to make good use of the money..,” she said.
She said cash transfers under the new law are also conditional upon the child beneficiaries’ enrolment in school and their requirement to meet a required class attendance.
This means, she said, that “to regularly receive financial assistance, they have to meet the requirements set under this law and not just waste the money elsewhere.”
“Ang 4Ps ay isang pamumuhunan para sa magandang kinabukasan ng mga maralita nating kababayan,” she said.
“Hindi man nito agarang maiaahon sa kahirapan ang mga benepisyaryo, hinihikayat naman nito ang pamilyang Pilipino na pangalagaan ang kalusugan ng kanilang mga anak, siguruhing nakakapasok sila sa paaralan, at sa huli, mabigyan ng kakayahang mapabuti ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay,” she added.
Earlier, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) criticized the law, saying it prevents Filipinos from becoming self-sustaining by giving the illusion that the government will provide all financial assistance to cover their basic needs.
RA 11310, which was signed by President Duterte last April 17, mandates the provision of conditional cash grants to the indigent families for a maximum of seven years, to improve their health, nutrition, and the education of their children aged 0-18.
