Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that the extension of the maximum seven-year limit in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is applicable solely to families categorized under Level 1 (Survival) and Level 2 (Subsistence).

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna of the DSWD's Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG) explained during a media forum that the extension will only apply to these specific levels. She emphasized the necessity for eligible families to comply with program conditionalities, which include having eligible monitored children and fulfilling the requirements set forth by law.

The extension allows qualified households under Levels 1 and 2 to continue receiving 4Ps assistance beyond the previous seven-year cap, contingent upon compliance with existing program rules and annual assessments. Fallarcuna reiterated that there would be no changes to the system, and beneficiaries must continue to adhere to the conditionalities related to health, education, and attendance at Family Development Sessions (FDS).

Based on the latest Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) results, 1,381,625 families qualify for the extension, with 1,744 families at Level 1 and 1,379,881 at Level 2. Fallarcuna noted that the extension is not automatic, as beneficiaries undergo annual assessments using the enhanced SWDI tool.

She highlighted that families will be reassessed annually to determine their economic sufficiency and social adequacy, as part of Executive Order No. 120. Families transitioning to Level 3 (Self-Sufficient) will follow a 'transition path' rather than an extension path.

Fallarcuna clarified that beneficiaries are eligible to exit the program once they reach Level 3 or no longer have monitored children. The continuation of assistance is contingent on yearly reassessment, not on the duration of participation.

Launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act (RA) 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps is a national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program. It provides conditional cash transfers to poor households for up to seven years, aiming to improve children's health, nutrition, and education.