Cash aid for pregnant, nursing moms needs Congress okay – DSWD

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is asking Congress to amend the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) law, or Republic act 11310 to include and ensure the smooth implementation of the P400 additional cash aid for pregnant and lactating mothers with zero to two-year-old children.

The 4Ps is the government’s national poverty reduction strategy that was launched in 2019 after 4Ps law was passed.

“Tayo po ang nakiki-participate sa sinasagawang diskusyon sa Kongreso. We’re all working with NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) para maipasama sa priority legislative agenda ng Pangulo itong amendment ng 4Ps Act because iyun nga, dahil may karagdagang funding requirement, kailangan ma-ikonsidera sa existing laws [We are participating in the discussions in Congress. We’re all working with NEDA for the inclusion of the amendment of the 4Ps Act in the priority legislative agenda of the President because it would require additional funding requirement),” she said.

Dumlao said DSWD is hopeful that the additional grant for pregnant and lactating mothers would also be included in the General Appropriations Act starting 2025.

She said the initial recommendation is a P400 grant on top of the existing P4Ps grant for health care, education and rice grants.

She said the proposed P400 amount is not yet final as the DSWD and NEDA are still finalizing the amount to be given, as well as reviewing the list of existing 4Ps beneficiaries to determine who would receive the additional grant.

Dumlao said that as of the end of May 2024, there are more than 28,000 pregnant mothers who are currently part of 4Ps, and more than 100,000 children aged between zero and two years old whose families are listed as 4Ps beneficiaries.

There are more than 4.4 million 4Ps household beneficiaries at present.