DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-10) Director Ramel Jamen reiterated on Wednesday, June18, that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are expected to exit the program after seven years to allow others the opportunity to benefit.
As of April 30, a total of 197,070 households in Northern Mindanao remain active under 4Ps. This year, about 11,000 households are set to graduate from the program due to improved well-being, natural attrition (such as no longer having eligible members), or reaching the seven-year limit.
By 2026, 169,463 households are projected to exit the program.
“Ingon ani gyud ang proseso. Kay para ang uban naay higayon makasulod,” Jamen said during a June 18 Meet the Press forum, explaining that the program is designed to provide temporary support until families are self-sufficient.
More than 267,000 households were enrolled in 4Ps in 2024. Jamen said the agency is focused not only on poverty reduction but also on responding to vulnerability caused by disasters.
“Poverty alone is not the problem. Even if a family becomes self-sufficient, calamities can pull them back into poverty — and our office is here for that,” Jamen added.
Jamen also reported that from February to March 2025, a total of 6,124 4Ps households received an additional P350 health grant under the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) initiative.
Meanwhile, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program has served 342,851 beneficiaries as of June 13.
Under the Ayuda Para sa Kapus Ang Kita Program (Akap), 81,000 individuals have received financial aid as of June. Both AICS and Akap provide assistance for medical needs and burial expenses.
