The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday, Aug. 7 said it is open to revisiting and enhancing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), citing the need to ensure its continued effectiveness in helping poor families achieve self-sufficiency.

The move comes as the program marks 18 years since its implementation, prompting both agency officials and lawmakers to consider long-term improvements.

“Seventeen years na itong tumatakbo at we truly recognize na rin na kinakailangan na ng pagbabago sa program (This has been running for seventeen years, and we truly recognize that the program needs changes),” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said during a media forum.

“Isa sa mga napag-usapan nila [Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Senator Erwin Tulfo] is papaano ma-enhance ‘yong program implementation. We are very much open to any enhancement at tayo ay patuloy na magkakaroon ng dayalogo with the House of Representatives and with the Senate (One of the things discussed by Secretary Gatchalian and Senator Tulfo was how to enhance the program's implementation. We are very much open to any enhancements and will continue to hold dialogue with the House of Representatives and the Senate),” she said referring to the July 31 meeting between Gatchalian and Tulfo, where improvements to the 4Ps were discussed.

The review follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive during his 2025 State of the Nation Address to revisit Republic Act No. 11310, which is the law institutionalizing the program.

Under the law, eligible poor households may receive conditional cash transfers (CCTs) for up to seven years.

DSWD-4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma Gabuya said that while the program has brought measurable benefits, it still needs additional support mechanisms to improve its long-term impact.

“Paano pa natin i-istrengthen? Ano ang iko-complement sa grants? Kasi ang grants hindi sapat sa pang-araw-araw, P3,500 is the maximum (How do we strengthen it further? What can complement the grants? Because the grants are not enough for daily needs. The maximum is P3,500),” she said.

“Kailangang i-complement sa economic, lalo na pag may krisis ang pamilya, at least may mahuhugot sila. At pangalawa, ‘yung sinasabi nating complementation, ‘yun talagang college or tertiary education ng ating mga bata (There needs to be economic complementation, especially when families face crises, so they have something to rely on. Second, when we say complementation, we mean college or tertiary education for the children),” she added.

As of 2025, around 4 million households continue to benefit from the 4Ps program nationwide.

Dumlao said the agency is committed to refining the program to ensure it remains aligned with national poverty reduction goals and responsive to the evolving needs of beneficiaries.