Batanes indigents to benefit from 4Ps

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a ceremonial launch for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on Monday, April 15, in Basco, Batanes, in accordance with the ongoing endeavor to bring government programs closer to the Filipino people.

“With this and upon the request of Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco to conduct an assessment and registration of the households in the 4Ps, the DSWD looked into this possibility as it would also mean another opportunity to reach the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged sector — much more, to reach the province of Batanes despite its remoteness and geographic isolation,” said Marites Maristela, assistant secretary for the National Household Targeting System and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (NHTS-4Ps).

According to a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data for 2022, Batanes has the lowest poverty incidence rate.

However, due to urgent socioeconomic issues like inflation, the

Listahanan 3 data designated 562 Batanes households as poor.

Batanes is an island province with 297 active beneficiaries.

“By providing cash grants to eligible families, the program aims to alleviate their financial burdens and empower them to invest in their future, particularly in the areas of health and education,” Maristela said.

The DSWD distributed payment cards to 91 household beneficiaries in Itbayat town on April 13.

The remaining beneficiaries from Batanes’ municipalities will receive their cash cards on April 15 and 16.

Governor Cayco expressed her joy with this new development and thanked the DSWD for delivering 4Ps to her province.

The 4Ps is the flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development, implemented by the DSWD. The program provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, particularly for children ages 0 to 18 years old.