By Junex Doronio
Poverty continues to persist two years after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is evident from the official data provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which shows that a total of 761,150 households remain on the list of beneficiaries for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
This was revealed on Tuesday, October 31, by the agency following a thorough review.
“At ang ibig sabihin po nito ay, iyon nga po, sila po ay mare-retain sa 4Ps program. Ang nakita pong dahilan ng departamento ay ang impact po ng pandemic,” DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said in an interview over PTV 4’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon hosted by Nina Corpuz.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that DSWD has reviewed around 1.1 million households which benefited from 4Ps.
A total of 339,660 families were assessed as self-sufficient and recommended for graduation or exit from the program.
“Ang ginagawa po dito sa mga graduations po natin, sila po ay ini-endorse sa mga local government units at binibigyan din natin ng mga iba’t ibang assistance or mga programa tulad ng Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) para matulungan pa rin sila kahit wala na sila sa 4Ps program po ay sila’y tuluy-tuloy na bibigyan ng assistance ng pamahalaan,” Punay added.
The government’s 4Ps program aims to help poor families get out of poverty by providing them with financial assistance if they meet certain conditions.
(ai/mnm)