To bring government programs closer to more Filipinos, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday launched the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Basco, Batanes, a remote province located in the northernmost part of the Philippines.

“With this and upon the request of Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco to conduct an assessment and registration of the households in the 4Ps, the DSWD looked into this possibility as it would also mean another opportunity to reach the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged sector – much more, to reach the province of Batanes despite its remoteness and geographic isolation,” Assistant Secretary for National Household Targeting System of the 4Ps Marites Maristela said in her speech.

Maristela said Batanes has been blessed with having the lowest poverty incidence rate based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) 2022 data.

However, Maristela said due to pressing socio-economic challenges such as inflation, some 562 households in the province have been identified as poor based on the Listahanan 3 data.

The island-province of Batanes has 297 active beneficiaries.

“By providing cash grants to eligible families, the program aims to alleviate their financial burdens and empower them to invest in their future, particularly in the areas of health and education,” Maristela said.

On April 13, a total of 91 household beneficiaries from Itbayat town received their cash cards from the DSWD.

The remaining beneficiaries from the different municipalities of Batanes are set to receive their respective cash cards on April 15 and 16.

The 4Ps ceremonial launching was attended by Governor Cayco, Batanes Lone District Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., Mayor Celso Batallones of Ivana town, Mayor German Caccam of Basco town, Mayor Pedro Poncio of Mahatao town, Mayor Jonathan Enrique Nanud Jr. of Uyugan town, Landbank of the Philippines- Basco branch manager Joseph Caliguiran, and DSWD Field Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) Director Lucia Alan.

In her message, Cayco was pleased with this new development, expressing her gratitude to the DSWD for bringing 4Ps in her province.

“Sa wakas, may 4Ps na sa Batanes (At last, there is now 4Ps in Batanes!),” Cayco said as she addressed her constituents during the launching.

The 4Ps is the DSWD’s flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development. The program provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, particularly for children aged 0-18. (PNA)