Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s (4Ps) National Program Management Office (NPMO) to immediately work on the conditionalities for the implementation of the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of children grant.
Gatchalian's directive is in line with President Marcos' proposal to include additional 4Ps benefits for pregnant and nursing mothers in the 2025 national budget.
During President Marcos’ third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, he said that under the initiative, pregnant women or mothers benefiting from the 4Ps will receive additional financial assistance for themselves and their children to ensure access to medical care, vaccinations, and adequate nutrition for both during pregnancy and early childhood.
The President also said that the program will help address malnutrition in the country through the provision of grants to infants from the poorest families until they reach two years old.
He earlier ordered a study on adjusting 4Ps cash grants to close health gaps and mitigate inflation impacts.
Republic Act No. 11148 institutionalizes programs across sectors during the first 1,000 days of life.
It also aims to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of existing nutrition-related laws and policies.
In February, Gatchalian and 4Ps team head, DSWD Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera proposed to increase the 4Ps grant amounts under the 4Ps and introduce a cash grant for children during their first 1,000 days of children.
The adjustments are intended to increase the purchasing power of 4Ps beneficiaries and encourage better compliance with program conditions aimed at preventing malnutrition and stunting.
Currently, a 4Ps household-beneficiary receives a health grant worth P750 per month per household for 12 months, provided that their children aged two to 14 are undergoing growth development and monitoring, deworming, and attending family development sessions (FDS).
In addition, education grants are provided to children of 4Ps households—P300 per child per month for elementary students for 10 months, with conditions based on school attendance; P500 per child per month for junior high school students, also conditional on attendance; and P700 per child per month for 10 months for senior high school students under similar attendance conditions.
On top of the health and education grants, a rice subsidy of P600 per month is also given to 4Ps household-beneficiaries.