The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday approved a bill seeking to expand the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and encourage qualified beneficiaries to pursue higher education or technical-vocational courses even in private learning institutions.

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo, the panel chair, said the expansion of the 4Ps law is part of the “broader national effort to strengthen social protection, expand economic cooperation, and empower communities.”

“Taken together with the numerous proposals … these measures point toward a common goal: strengthening our country’s human capital. By investing in education, health, and community-based economic institutions, we invest in the capacity of Filipinos to contribute to national development,” he said.

A key amendment to the proposed measure provides for the establishment of a 4Ps support to tertiary education and employment program.

This will serve as a mechanism for children of family-beneficiaries of the social protection program to develop interest in post-secondary education and more importantly, give them access to private higher education and technical-vocational institutions.

“In essence, today’s discussion is about ensuring that our fiscal policies support these investments, so that programs designed to uplift lives, expand opportunities, and build future-ready generations make a lasting impact for many Filipinos,” Quimbo said.

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, who is also pushing for the measure, has said that the changes to the law will further strengthen social protection for the country’s low-income families and help poor households with their tuition and fees, and other school expenses. (PNA)