The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has projected a P2.6 to P2.7 billion budget for its “First 1,000-Day Grant,” aimed at supporting pregnant and lactating women, as well as young children, under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on Monday, Aug. 12, said the initiative, set to roll out in 2025, is designed to address significant gaps in maternal and child health, especially among 4Ps beneficiaries.

He explained that the new grant will provide P350 per month to approximately 650,000 pregnant and lactating women, as well as families with children aged one to two years old.

“Malaki pa rin ang problema natin sa stunting o yung pagkabansot. Kaya inintroduce ni Pangulong Marcos yung First 1,000-Day Grant (We still have a significant problem with stunting. That's why President Marcos introduced the First 1,000-Day Grant),” he said.

Gatchalian pointed out the limitations of existing 4Ps health grants, which are fixed at P600 per household regardless of the number of children.

“Bagamat may health grants na binibigay, fixed yung health grant. Ibig sabihin, yung P600 na natatanggap nila, kahit na ilan yung anak nila, yun pa rin ang matatanggap nila (Although health grants are provided, they are fixed. This means that the P600 they receive remains the same regardless of the number of children they have),” he explained.

Meanwhile, he said the First 1,000-Day Grant will be calculated per child or pregnancy basis, providing more targeted support.

The DSWD chief said the grant also aims to encourage better health-seeking behavior among the poorest families.

“Isa sa malaking problema natin, itong mga pregnant and lactating women, lalo na sa pinakamahihirap na mga pamilya, hindi pumupunta ng health center pag nagbubuntis sila (One of our major problems is that pregnant and lactating women, especially in the poorest families, do not visit health centers during their pregnancies),” Gatchalian cited.

He said this often results in inadequate prenatal care and nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to stunted growth and developmental delays in children.

The enhancement of the 4Ps grant is seen as a vital investment in the country’s future.

“Ang enhancement na ito ay mahalaga kasi namumuhunan ang ating gobyerno sa ating kabataan (This enhancement is important because our government is investing in our youth),” Gatchalian said.

With an estimated annual cost of P2.6 to P2.7 billion, he pointed out that the grant represents a significant new investment in the 4Ps program, marking a first-time introduction of such a targeted support measure.

Gatchalian said the DSWD is currently crafting the guidelines for the distribution of additional health grants specifically aimed at pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 2 years old.