Some 39,340 households in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the first half of the year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here reported on Friday.

DSWD-8 regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua said in a phone interview Friday these households had been declared self-sufficient after undergoing social preparation activities.

“Graduates are officially turned over to the local government units for sustained support interventions as part of the aftercare programs and services in partnership with national government agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector. These aftercare programs and services include but are not limited to skills training; education; and livelihood,” she said.

Of the number, 31,482 have attained a self-sufficiency level of well-being while 7,858 households are through natural attrition.

Natural attrition means that these households no longer have children aged zero to 18 who qualify for the 4Ps assistance and have exited the program.

Chua, however, said graduation from the program does not mean the end of assistance from the government.

“The department offers the sustainable livelihood program, in collaboration with local governments and other agencies, to continue supporting households in achieving better living conditions,” she said.

The conditional cash transfer program is a government initiative aimed at improving the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0–18 in the country’s poorest communities.

To date, over 286,000 households in Eastern Visayas are listed as 4Ps beneficiaries.

This year, the DSWD has allocated PHP6.25 billion for the implementation of 4Ps in the region.

Patterned after the conditional cash transfer scheme implemented in other developing countries, 4Ps provides cash grants to beneficiaries if they comply with the set of conditions required by the program. (PNA)