THE VIEW FROM RIZAL
Dr. Jun Ynares
Recently, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno made a statement which raised concern among many of our countrymen, particularly those who are struggling to keep their heads above the waters of abject poverty. “Nasa laylayan,” as they are referred to in contemporary politico-sociological language.
In his statement, Secretary Diokno took the position that he is against the idea of “ayuda” or financial assistance. The good Secretary was referring to “ayuda” which the national government draws from public funds and which are distributed to our countrymen to help them get through the economic woes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Secretary said he believes “the country has recovered (from the pandemic),” and there is no more reason to hand-out more “ayuda.”
Secretary Diokno was clear: The financial assistance he was referring to was related to the pandemic. However, we received a number of messages from people who said they were concerned that Secretary Diokno’s statement may have been a hint that the current administration might also be looking at terminating other forms of large-scale financial assistance to underprivileged Filipinos.
Among those who expressed concern are the beneficiaries of the government’s “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” better known as 4Ps.
There is no pronouncement so far by the current administration on the fate of the 4Ps. It may be good to presume that the new national leadership is either set to deliberate on it or may actually be predisposed to continue with it, given the gains that the program has marked.
It will be recalled that the 4Ps was launched as the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It was continued and relaunched as the 4Ps during the administration of the late President Noynoy Aquino.
The CCT was not an idea unique to the Philippines.
When the Philippine government launched it in 2007, several other countries in the world was also implementing similar programs. There are about 63 countries with versions of this program today. Four countries have been lauded for the success of their versions: Brazil’s Bolsa Familia, Jamaica’s Program of Advancement through Health and Education, Argentina’s Universal Child Allowance for Social Protection and the Philippines for its 4Ps.
The 4Ps came under fire from critics who called it a “dole out” which perpetuates the “mendicancy mentality.”
Defenders of the program point out that the money given out under it have “conditions,” that recipients of the assistance have obligations to fulfill under it. They must make sure their children are enrolled in school and have an attendance rate of at least 85 percent. There are stringent requirements regarding health-related activities they must comply with, including deworming of children, pre-natal consultations for pregnant beneficiaries, attending family development sessions, among others.
Have any of the beneficiaries actually experienced improvements in their lives through 4Ps?
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is at the frontline of the implementation of the program, regularly conducts an activity called “Pugay Tagumpay” loosely translated as “tribute to victory.”
This is some sort of a “graduation ceremony” and is meant to honor families who are moving out of the 4Ps program. These families “graduate” from abject poverty and from their reliance on the conditional financial assistance. They can now support themselves and live according to the biblical mandate which says that “by the sweat of our brow, we shall have food to eat.”
The DSWD has held many such “graduations.” On the 23rd of this month, a “Pugay Tagumpay” will be held at the Rizal Provincial Capitol where nearly 200 families will be honored for their adherence to the conditions of the 4Ps program which has enabled them to stand on their own two feet. This is, perhaps, proof that the conditional cash transfer method can contribute to poverty alleviation.
Secretary Diokno has a point: There must be no long-term dole-outs. If the government ever hands money, there should be conditions which, if fulfilled, would get our countrymen out of poverty.
Last we heard; the national government has recently released ₱4.13 billion for this program.
According to Secretary Diokno, this is meant to cushion the effect of rising gasoline prices on the vulnerable sectors of our society. Some 5.5 million Filipinos will benefit from the assistance.
The move should assuage fears that the new administration might be set to scrap the conditional cash transfer program. We hope that more and more of its beneficiaries would get to “graduate” and stand on their own feet. That is the purpose of the program which, we hope, the new administration would ensure is fulfilled.
Meanwhile, we join the DSWD in saluting the families who have experienced the benefit of the program. The greatest benefit, of course, is getting to the point when a beneficiary-family would stand up and say, we do not need the assistance anymore.
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