Instead of what he described as seemingly giving alms to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Senator Erwin Tulfo proposes a shift: provide livelihood capital instead.
This was the recommendation of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development as a potential solution to the reported abuses plaguing the 4Ps program.
“Even some 4Ps members themselves, they would rather have livelihood capital instead of monthly cash transfer.”
“Even some 4Ps members themselves, they would rather have livelihood capital instead of monthly cash transfer,” Tulfo said, citing his direct interactions with beneficiaries.
The legislator shared that this sentiment was personally conveyed to him by several 4Ps members during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2022.
“It is also hard for them to hear that they are being called freeloaders, lazy, and that they do not add value to the country,” the lawmaker added.
“We can provide them enough funds to start a sari-sari store, an eatery, or even engage in online selling.”
“If we give them capital, they can use it to start businesses and contribute to the economy. We can provide them enough funds to start a sari-sari store, an eatery, or even engage in online selling,” the senator emphasized.
He also pointed out the perceived unfairness of the current system, saying: “It is also unfair to low-wage earners like security guards, janitors, or house helpers who tighten their belts due to lack of funds but receive nothing from the government, such as 4Ps, since they are not qualified.”
This proposal, Tulfo said, will be one of the key points he intends to raise with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in their upcoming meeting on the matter.
“We know that since PBBM’s term started, the priority has been poverty mitigation. But the question is: how do we really do this?” he concluded.
