Senator Erwin Tulfo on Friday expressed support for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) proposals to amend Republic Act No. 11310, the law that institutionalized the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), to ensure it truly benefits those most in need.
In a consultative meeting with Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DSWD officials, Tulfo, who was recently elected chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, vowed to prioritize discussions on proposed revisions to the 4Ps law.
“Meron silang binigay sa amin na mga bills about 4Ps na nabanggit nga ng Pangulo sa SONA. So, unahin naming pag-aralan ‘yun. May mga adjustments, maganda ‘yung suggestions ni Secretary na talagang makakatulong sa lahat naman (They gave us bills regarding 4Ps that the President also mentioned in his SONA. We will prioritize studying them. Secretary Gatchalian’s suggestions are helpful and beneficial to many),” Tulfo said in a news release.
Tulfo raised the need to revalidate the list of 4Ps beneficiaries, noting that some households continue to receive assistance despite improved living conditions.
“Gusto ng Pangulo, pag-aralan na talaga. Kasi medyo na-abuso ‘yung 4Ps. Merong iba d’yan na sobra-sobra na yung panahon nila. Pwede yung iba naman na pumasok. Kasi may mga backlog pa tayo (The President wants the program reviewed. The 4Ps is being abused. Some families have already been receiving benefits for too long, while others are still on the waiting list),” he said.
He added that it was high time to craft legislation that would make the program more equitable and responsive to the evolving needs of low-income families.
“Unfair naman dun sa iba na we just keep on feeding this group of people. Paano naman yung iba (It’s unfair to others if we just keep supporting the same families. What about the rest)?” Tulfo said.
One of DSWD’s proposed amendments is the removal of the seven-year limit for receiving 4Ps assistance.
Gatchalian said failure to revise the law could force the exit of around 2.4 million households whose living conditions have not yet improved.
Tulfo, a former DSWD secretary, also pledged support for the rehabilitation of the department’s central office, which Gatchalian welcomed.
“Hindi ko na nga kailangan buksan ‘yung bibig ko. Nung nakita niya ‘yung anyo ng opisina… pagbaba pa lang, sinabi na ni Sen. Erwin, ‘Padala mo sa akin ‘yung costing ng building (I didn’t even need to say anything. When he saw the condition of the office, Senator Erwin immediately said, ‘Send me the building’s cost estimate),” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian added that additional budget support would help enhance DSWD’s facilities and boost the morale and capability of its social workers. (PNA)
