The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has expressed readiness to hold talks on the proposed inclusion of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination as among conditions for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said if needed, they will not think twice about leading discussions on the suggestion made by Presidential spokesman Harry Roque during a taped meeting with President Duterte aired on Tuesday, May 18.
"We appreciate the suggestion of Spox (spokesperson) Roque. We are ready and willing to hold a dialogue regarding the suggestion, if needed,” she told the Manila Bulletin in a Viber message.
She maintained that the 4Ps household-recipients numbering to more than 4.3 million will be fully informed of the country’s vaccination program.
"Again, at present , we are empowering the 4Ps beneficiaries by providing the necessary information to guide them arrive at informed judgement or educated choice for them and their families,” Dumlao said.
The 4Ps beneficiaries belong to the A5 priority sector in the country’s inoculation program.
Roque suggested that making COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for 4Ps beneficiaries before they receive their cash aid should be looked into.
On Thursday, May 20, the DSWD vowed to inform 4Ps beneficiaries of President Duterte’s directive to distribute the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to the indigent communities.
Since 2008, the Pantawid Pamilya has invested in human capital development and in the health and education of poor households, particularly of children aged 0 to18 years old.
The 4Ps uses the conditional cash transfer scheme to provide cash grants to the beneficiaries who comply with the following program conditions:
-Children 3 to 18 years old must be enrolled in kindergarten, elementary, and high school, and attend classes at least 85 percent of the time each month;
-Children 0-5 years old must receive regular preventive health check-ups, growth monitoring, and vaccines;
-Pregnant women get pre and post-natal care (must be attended by skilled/professional health workers);
-Children in elementary must receive de-worming pills twice a year; and
-Attendance of the grantee/parent/guardian to the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).
Under the program, cash grants are given to poor households for a maximum of seven years, to improve the health, education, and nutrition aspect of their lives.
"The program also aims to empower the beneficiaries and provide them access to available services, opportunities, value education, be mainstreamed as financial community,” the DSWD said.
Under the 4Ps program, the beneficiaries receive a monthly rice susidy amounting P600, apart from P500 health assistance they receive each month.
Those beneficiaries who have a child enrolled in elementary receive P300 cash assistance, while P500 cash assistance is extended to those who have a child enrolled in high school.