San mateo: In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries will not slide back to poverty, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stated in a televised interview on Wednesday that the ongoing partnership with DHSUD is one of the initiatives by the DSWD to explore other assistance and services to help 4Ps beneficiaries achieve self-sufficiency. The program targets 4Ps beneficiaries who have reached Level 3, indicating self-sufficiency, as determined by the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI).
'Yung pong ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries ay kasama po dyan (4PH) provided na sila ay nasa Level 3 na, o yung self-sufficient na sila. Kasi mino-monitor namin ang aming mga 4Ps beneficiaries at tinitingnan nga natin kung nag-iimprove yung kanilang (Our 4Ps beneficiaries are included in 4PH provided that they have attained Level 3 or are self-sufficient. We monitor them if they have improved their) level of well-being,' Dumlao stated, emphasizing the importance of empowering beneficiaries and providing them with livelihood assistance alongside housing opportunities.
The 4PH program, designed by DHSUD, is the government's primary housing initiative offering affordable housing options for working-class families and low-income households, including 4Ps members. Dumlao noted that the 4PH housing units are available to 4Ps families who have achieved self-sufficiency status and are capable of sustaining monthly amortization payments. 'Hindi libre. Ito ay subsidized at nagbabayad pa rin po yung ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries ng monthly amortization. Again, ang ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries dapat na sa Level 3 na, ibig sabihin may kakayahan na magbayad kasi meron ng miyembro ng pamilya na nagtatrabaho, so meron ng additional resources (This is not free. This is subsidized, and the 4Ps beneficiaries still have to pay monthly amortization. They should be at Level 3, meaning they have the capability to pay because one of their members is working and they already have additional resources),' she added.
Currently, the housing site for 4Ps beneficiaries is located in Abuab Tower, Guitnang Bayan II in San Mateo, Rizal. The DHSUD has plans to offer more housing options to 4Ps beneficiaries in the future. Established in 2008 and later institutionalized under Republic Act 11310, the 4Ps program serves as the Philippine government's flagship anti-poverty initiative, focusing on investments in the health, nutrition, and education of children from poor households.
