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House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan has hailed President Marcos' decision to "adjust to inflation" the cash transfers under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). 

“The President’s order is consistent with our recommendation to increase the cash grants to 4Ps household-beneficiaries periodically at a rate that is at least equal to the average annual inflation rate,” Libanan said in a statement Monday, March 11. 

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s inflation rate jumped to 3.4 percent in February 2024 from 2.8 percent in January 2024. 

“The buying power of the cash subsidies has been eroded by sustained commodity price increases, and the only way to rectify the devaluation is to raise the amount of money being given to household-beneficiaries,” he noted. 

“The government must restore the lost purchasing power of the cash assistance if we want the 4Ps to succeed in reducing poverty,” added Libanan. 

Libanan and fellow 4Ps Party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement "JC" Abalos II, previously filed House Resolution (HR) No. 184, which pressed for bigger cash aids or "ayuda" to help household-beneficiaries cope with price increases on consumer goods. 

In a recent sectoral meeting, President Marcos instructed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to ensure that the 4Ps cash aids are adjusted to inflation. 

Gatchalian himself announced the President’s directive. The 4Ps has an allocation of P106.3 billion in the 2024 General Appropriations Act.