At least 1.3 million beneficiaries from the national government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are no longer considered poor, according to the report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In a statement, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the figures are based on the report of DWSD Secretary Erwin Tulfo before President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. during the third Cabinet meeting.
"Of note is Sec. Erwin Tulfo’s declaration that in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at least 1.3 million beneficiaries out of 4.4 million are no longer considered ‘poor’ as a qualification for the 4Ps benefits,” Angeles said.
“This frees up P15B for other qualified persons to replace them and now be included in the 4Ps program,” the Press Secretary added.
Tulfo said the number of beneficiaries who could be delisted was not yet final as the number could still increase, adding that 600,000 were still being interviewed.
When asked about Marcos' reaction to the delisting, the DSWD Secretary said the President was surprised but supportive of the agency's action.
The 4Ps is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18.
The DSWD is the lead government agency of the 4Ps.
