FROM among the various ideas and plans coming from the Department of Finance (DOF), the one on gradual and progressive reduction in the government’s budget for social protection measures, including the cash-based Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is feasible and having good sense.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which supervises this dole-out program, more than P10 billion has been disbursed to assist some 4.5 million households, as of last January. The project is primarily focused on helping eligible families with children younger than 17 years old and studying in schools.
In the proposed 2024 national expenditure plan, the government allocated P112.84 billion for 4Ps.
Since 4Ps has been around for several years now, along with other social protection programs of the government, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno believes these numerous social welfare programs have enabled a significant number of Filipinos to overcome poverty now.
Aside from the 4Ps, the government has earmarked P49.81 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, and P19.97 billion to support those most in need through the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances program.
‘… there must be an assurance that deserving people are included while preventing ineligible individuals from receiving benefits.’
These three major social protection programs alone will require a budget of P182.62 billion for 2024.
Diokno and several senators and representatives have raised the necessity of assessing the financial sustainability of the 4Ps program which has been in place since 2008.
They have called out the DSWD on the need to review and update the list of 4Ps beneficiaries to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness. Last year, only 106,000 beneficiaries “graduated” from the program after showing positive indicators of human development. The department had targeted to make some 1.3 million beneficiaries as graduates.
Also, there must be an assurance that deserving people are included while preventing ineligible individuals from receiving benefits. Because the local lists of beneficiaries are drafted and managed by local officials, favoritism and nepotism have reared their ugly heads in this listing process.
Since mayors and governors are active participants in the 4Ps program, being themselves beneficiaries of political goodwill coming out of the dole-out scheme, it may be time for the national government to tighten spending and let the local government units cover the gap.
We understand some LGUs are now awash with cash, or at least waiting for the bonanza coming from the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling that granted them a bigger share from national government tax collections.
