Loopholes in the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are exactly the reason why the poverty alleviation program must be revised and strengthened--and not be scrapped like what Senator Erwin Tulfo has suggested, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima argued on Monday, Aug. 4.

De Lima made this counter-appeal as she noted that millions of Filipinos still depend on 4Ps.

"Milyon na ang naitawid. Milyon pa ang umaasa. Hindi natin sila pababayaan (Millions have already been lifted out of poverty because of it, and millions more are still hoping for it. We will not abandon them)," De Lima, an author of the law that institutionalized 4Ps, said.

The congresswoman instead pushed for reforms in the program. 

"Yes, there are gaps in implementation. Yes, some abuses have been reported. But that’s precisely why we must strengthen, not scrap, the program," she said.

"The answer is better targeting, better monitoring, and better support systems."

She also took up the cudgels for 4Ps beneficiaries, and said they were "not freeloaders".

"Hindi limos ang programang ito. May mga kondisyon ang programang ito para maipagkaloob sa mga benepisyaryo ang suporta ng gobyerno kaya nga ang tawag din dito ay Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program (This program isn't a handout. It identifies conditions so that beneficiaries can receive government support, which is why it's also called the CCT Program)," she said.

"Batay ito sa prinsipyo ng shared responsibility – sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na may hangaring makaahon sa kahirapan (It is based on the principle of shared responsibility—between the government and every Filipino family that aims to rise from poverty)," she added.

De Lima also vowed to push for House Bill (HB) No. 1434, which will even expand the 4Ps Act.

"Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, palalawigin natin ang suporta sa mga benepisyaryo, hindi lamang sa tulong-pinansyal kundi sa pamamagitan ng (Through this measure, we will expand our support for beneficiaries, not only through financial aid but also through) adult education, livelihood training, employment facilitation, at entrepreneurship development. Hindi lang pantawid, kundi panghabambuhay na kabuhayan ang layunin (The goal is not just temporary relief, but lifelong livelihood)," she said.

"Hindi perpekto ang 4Ps. Pero huwag nating sirain ang isang programang may mabuting layunin at malinaw na tagumpay, lalo na’t may mga kongkretong hakbang para mas mapabuti ito (4Ps is not perfect. But let's not destroy a program that has good purpose and clear success, especially when there are concrete steps to improve it further)," she added.