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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Medyo naabuso': Erwin Tulfo backs DSWD's amendments to 4Ps law

'Medyo naabuso': Erwin Tulfo backs DSWD's amendments to 4Ps law

Published Aug 1, 2025 12:47 pm  |  Updated Aug 1, 2025 01:37 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Erwin Tulfo committed to reviewing possible amendments to the 4Ps law following concerns over its misuse and outdated limits, expressing support for reforms proposed by the DSWD—including expanded support programs and office rehabilitation—after being elected chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development.
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Senator Erwin Tulfo has expressed his commitment to discuss possible amendments to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11310, or the law that institutionalized the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Senator Erwin Tulfo and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian (Photo from the Office of Senator Tulfo)
Senator Erwin Tulfo and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian (Photo from the Office of Senator Tulfo)
The neophyte senator said this after a consultative meeting with Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and other officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday, July 31, just two days after he was elected as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development
“Meron silang binigay sa amin na mga bills about 4Ps na nabanggit nga ng Pangulo sa SONA. So, unahin naming pag-aralan 'yun. May mga adjustments, maganda ‘yung suggestions ni Secretary na talagang makakatulong sa lahat naman (They gave us some bills related to the 4Ps, which the President mentioned in the SONA. So, we’ll prioritize reviewing those first. There are some adjustments, and the Secretary’s suggestions are good—they’ll truly help everyone),” Tulfo said.
Among the concerns that Tulfo will scrutinize is the number of 4Ps beneficiaries who are receiving cash grants from the government even though their lives have already improved.
“Gusto ng Pangulo, pag-aralan na talaga. Kasi medyo na-abuso ‘yung 4Ps. Merong iba dyan na sobra-sobra na yung panahon nila. Pwede yung iba naman na pumasok. Kasi may mga backlog pa tayo. May mga nasa waiting list (The President wants it thoroughly reviewed because the 4Ps program has been somewhat abused. Some beneficiaries have already exceeded their time in the program, and it's time to let others in. We still have a backlog and people on the waiting list),” Tulfo, a former DSWD secretary, said.
“Gagawa kami ng legislation hinggil diyan sa 4Ps na ‘yan. I think it's really high time that we look into this. Kasi unfair naman dun sa iba na we just keep on feeding this group of people. Paano naman yung iba? (We’ll be drafting legislation regarding the 4Ps. I think it’s really high time we look into this because it’s unfair to others if we just keep supporting the same group of people. What about the rest?)“ he added.
Apart from this, the DSWD has proposed an amendment which will remove the existing seven-year limit for beneficiaries to receive assistance from the government.
Gatchalian informed the senator that if the 4Ps law is not amended, there will be around 2.4 million beneficiaries who will be forced to exit the program even though their living conditions have not yet improved.
Other proposals that were discussed include the creation of an entrepreneurship program for low-income households, social interventions for the elderly, and the institutionalization of existing DSWD programs such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program and Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), among others.
Tulfo also expressed support for the DSWD building’s rehabilitation during his visit to his former office, which was gladly welcomed by Gatchalian.
“Hindi ko na nga kailangan buksan yung bibig ko. Nung nakita niya yung anyo ng opisina. Kasi alam naman natin na pinaka-isa ito sa matatandang departamento, pagbaba pa lang sinabi na ni Sen. Erwin, ‘Padala mo sa akin yung costing ng building,’ (I didn’t even need to say anything—just seeing the condition of the office said it all. We all know this is one of the oldest departments, and as soon as he came down, Sen. Erwin immediately said, “Send me the costing of the building),” Gatchalian said.
Should additional budget be given to the DSWD, Gatchalian said it will capacitate their social workers and boost the morale of the agency.

Related Tags

Erwin Tulfo 4Ps Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Rex Gatchalian
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