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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Abalos opposes Tulfo's suggestion to scrap 4Ps; here's why

Abalos opposes Tulfo's suggestion to scrap 4Ps; here's why

Published Aug 4, 2025 11:29 am
​4PS Party-list Rep. JC Abalos has opposed Senator Erwin Tulfo's suggestion to scrap the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) because the program actually addresses poverty "from a different front".
While Abalos said that Tulfo's concerns were "real and valid," such problems were not exclusive to 4Ps but are "systemic challenges that may apply to all forms of government assistance".
On Sunday, Tulfo urged the government to abolish 4Ps due to various abuses on the program. He also noted the sentiments he received from 4Ps members themselves.
"It is hard for them to hear that they are being called freeloaders, lazy, and that they do not add value to the country," Tulfo said.
What he suggested instead was to give the beneficiaries "capital" that they can use "to start businesses and contribute to the economy".
But that recommendation was not supported by Abalos.
4PS Party-list stands for Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino. It advocates for poverty alleviation, social welfare, and the empowerment of marginalized sectors, particularly beneficiaries of the program.
"Livelihood is indeed a powerful tool against poverty. But 4Ps addresses poverty from a different front, by investing in the education and health of children from the poorest households," Abalos said.
"It ensures they attend school, get regular health checkups, and that their parents participate in monthly family development seminars," he added.
The lawmaker said the government must not "choose one over the other".
"Livelihood and conditional cash transfers are not mutually exclusive. Poverty is complex, and it demands a multi-pronged approach," he said.
Abalos believed the government must use every available tool to fight poverty, either through livelihood support, conditional cash transfers, healthcare, and education.
​He asserted that no government program is perfect—whether its 4Ps, livelihood assistance, and other social services and programs.
​A​ll government programs ​"are vulnerable to misuse", but this is not reason enough to recommend stopping their implementation​, Abalos added.
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