The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to roll out the First 1,000 Days of Life (F1KD) conditional cash grant to some 80,000 household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) starting this month.
“Beginning January 2025, we will launch this enhanced service for our 4Ps beneficiaries, with a focus on pregnant women and children zero to 2 years old),” said DSWD Director and 4Ps National Program Manager Gemma Gabuya.
The DSWD has urged 4Ps grantees to update their beneficiary data to ensure they are eligible for the F1KD conditional cash grant.
“We’re actively encouraging our beneficiaries to promptly report and update their status if they are pregnant or have recently given birth. This helps us closely monitor and verify the number of beneficiaries,” Gabuya said.
The conditional cash grant is designed to promote health-seeking behavior among beneficiaries. To qualify, participants must meet a series of health-related requirements, including accessing prenatal services at Department of Health (DOH)-accredited health facilities; receiving ante-natal care and monitoring their pregnancy; attending post-natal visits; participating in counseling sessions, and obtaining micronutrient supplements and immunizations.
These conditions are in line with the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act (Republic Act No. 11148) and the DOH's established health protocols.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/13/additional-4-ps-grants-for-pregnant-women-young-children
Gabuya explained that investing in the health and education of young children increases their potential for long-term success.
“If a child is healthy and well-educated, they are more likely to finish school and escape poverty,” she said.
The 4Ps, the government’s flagship program for poverty reduction, provides financial assistance to the country’s poorest households to improve health, nutrition, and education outcomes, especially for children aged 18 and below.
Livelihood aid
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the DSWD launched a joint program on Thursday, Jan. 23, to support tourism workers affected by disasters and emergencies.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the unveiling of the Bayanihan sa Bukas na Pag-asa sa Turismo (BBMT) program in Pasay City, marking a significant initiative aimed at aiding vulnerable communities within the tourism sector.
The BBMT initiative focuses on community-based tourism organizations (CBTOs) and small tourism enterprises, providing sustainable livelihood opportunities, skills training, livelihood kits, and financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
To complement this, the DSWD will tap its cash-for-work (CFW) and cash-for-training (CFT) mechanisms to extend financial support to tourism workers affected by disasters.
Frasco emphasized the program’s vital role in fostering economic recovery, underscoring that the resilience of the tourism sector remains crucial to the nation’s growth amid ongoing challenges from climate-related disasters.
“Tourism remains a lifeline for many Filipinos, and through programs like BBMT, we ensure that affected workers have a chance to rebuild and thrive,” she said during the event.
Gatchalian echoed her sentiments, highlighting that the program would provide affected workers with access to sustainable income opportunities, bridging the gap between immediate recovery and long-term resilience.
The DOT will lead the provision of training programs and temporary employment to beneficiaries, equipping them with essential skills to ensure their sustained livelihood.
Through BBMT, the DOT and DSWD are making significant strides toward fostering an inclusive recovery, reinforcing the government’s commitment to empowering affected communities and promoting nationwide economic sustainability. (With Trixee Rosel)