SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo yesterday said “graduates” of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps) are still eligible for other programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), such as the Supplemental Livelihood Program (SLP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS).
Tulfo made the assurance during the graduation rites in Laguna for some 500 4Ps recipients amid the long faces that the participants were wearing during the event.
He said one of his undersecretaries who was with him in the event mentioned that some beneficiaries felt that they are losing a part of their monthly income with their removal from 4Ps.
He said this sentiment was echoed by a municipal mayor who said some of his constituents went to him about their removal from the 4Ps, citing that they will lose their monthly income.
Tulfo said being in 4Ps, however, does not mean that you will forever be poor or be a beneficiary since one of the criteria is having school-aged children and requiring them to go to school.
He said there are also other poor families in the waiting list who need government assistance.
“Pagka-naka-graduate or gaga-graduate na kayo, lalabas na sa 4Ps, hindi naman namin kayo pababayaan. Pwede kayong mag-apply sa programang Sustainable Livelihood program (SLP). Ibig sabihin kayo ang prayoridad ng SLP (Once you graduate or exit 4Ps, it does not mean that we will no longer care for you. You can apply with the Sustainable Livelihood program (SLP). You will be the priority of SLP),” he said.
He said the SLP amount can be as much as P15,000 and may be used as start-up funds for businesses.
He said processing time for the SLP application has been cut short from six months to 10 days.
The DSWD said more than 200,000 have either been delisted or voluntarily left the 4Ps after they graduated from the program.
