President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday expressed his aspirations for the Philippines to eventually phase out the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the nation's conditional cash transfer initiative, as the food stamp has been introduced.
When asked about his perspective on this matter, particularly in light of the introduction of a food stamp program, Marcos responded with optimism.
"Sana. Ibig sabihin kasi pag kaya na natin itigil 'yan, sasabihin natin ibig sabihin wala ng nangangailangan. Maganda talaga kung maabot natin 'yun. Pero kahit papano kung minsan tinatamaan halimbawa ng bagyo, tinatamaan ng peste, tinatamaan ng kung anu-ano eh kailangan pa rin tulungan," he answered.
"'Yung 4Ps eh 'yung pantawid 'yun eh. So kung hindi na kailangan magtawid ibig sabihin may trabaho na, may kaya na ang tao, kahit man lang mapakain ang sarili, ang pamilya, sana umabot tayo sa ganoon," Marcos added.
The 4Ps, a program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), represents a nationwide strategy for poverty reduction and an investment in human capital. It provides qualified households with conditional cash transfers.
To explore alternative approaches, the DSWD conducted a pilot test of the food stamp program, targeting 50 families experiencing food poverty, including pregnant women and lactating mothers residing in Manila.
The Food Stamp Program (FSP) aims to offer electronic benefit transfers, loaded with food credits totaling P3,000, enabling the purchase of a specific list of food items from local retailers accredited by the DSWD.
