The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday, Oct. 10 said the conditionalities for the “First 1,000 Days” (F1KD) grant have been finalized for approval, as the nutrition-specific additional grant moves toward full implementation in 2025.
The F1KD cash grant is an additional financial support under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that aims to assist female beneficiaries who are pregnant and households that have children below two years old.
“While drafting the conditionalities of F1KD grants, on top of our priority is to anchor the conditions to the best interest of the beneficiaries. We want to make sure that it would augment their health-seeking behavior, and lead to favorable health outcomes,” DSWD Undersecretary Vilma B. Cabrera said.
She said the cash grant will be on top of the P750 monthly health grant that a 4Ps household-beneficiary receives for 12 months. This aims to enhance families' access to healthcare and nutrition services during the critical first 1,000 days of child development.
However, to qualify for and continue receiving the grant, certain conditions must be met by 4Ps households. The conditionalities are based on the guidelines outlined in Republic Act (RA) 11148 or the “Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act” and the protocols of the Department of Health (DOH).
Before, during childbirth
To emphasize the importance of neonatal care, the F1KD’s initial condition requires pregnant beneficiaries to complete eight prenatal consultations throughout their pregnancy.
“These visits will allow the pregnant woman to access needed health interventions. As standard, the beneficiary should also be inoculated with maternal immunization and must record a regular intake of micronutrient supplements. Their weight and blood pressure also require close monitoring of local health centers,” Cabrera said.
To ensure safe childbirth, beneficiaries are encouraged to seek delivery services from skilled health professionals at the appropriate levels of Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmOC) and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC).
“So at least, they can seek the services of midwives and accredited childbirth centers. In case that these service providers are out of reach at the time of labor, we still encourage them to be assisted by skilled health personnel to minimize birth complications,” Cabrera said.
During the postnatal stage, the mother is required to attend four follow-up visits to the health facility where she gave birth, or as prescribed by DOH protocol.
“Full compliance to needed maternal health and nutrition intervention is of prime concern. We cannot compromise this as the health of the mother is interconnected with the child’s health as well. If the mother is famished and not properly nourished, then it is likely that the baby will not receive ample nutrition for growth and development,” Cabrera added.
From childbirth to 2 years old
At birth, infants must receive essential newborn care, including newborn screening, eye prophylaxis, and vitamin K supplementation.
“Following the delivery of the child, we are gradually shifting the focus on the conditions that must be met to look after the health of the new-born,” Cabrera said.
“The infants should also avail of routine immunization based on the guidelines of DOH. These include Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT) Vaccine or Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) as well as vaccination for Hepatitis B,” she added.
During the first six months of infancy or the first 180 days, parents are responsible for monitoring their infant’s monthly growth and development. Regular visits to healthcare centers are essential during this period to assess the child’s condition and detect early signs of stunted growth or malnutrition.
“This is even more a pressing concern for children who had low weight at birth, those showing signs of stunting or diagnosed with acute malnutrition,” Cabrera said.
From six months until the child turns two years old, priority goes to access to health and nutrition interventions, as well as oral healthcare services. The child must also acquire dietary supplementation with age-appropriate, nutrient-rich complementary foods and anthelmintic tablets for deworming.
“They can avail all of this for free in their nearest public hospitals, healthcare centers, and even the government-led mobile clinic and medical missions that regularly calls children from the vulnerable, marginalized communities to avail health and nutrition-specific interventions,” Cabrera said.