DSWD-7 strengthens LGU partnership for 4Ps in C.Visayas

CEBU CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office VII, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has strengthened its partnership with the local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas.

DSWD-7 regional coordinator for the 4Ps Jiah Sayson with the focal persons in the 4Ps Regional Program Management Office (RPMO), Provincial Links, and the City and Municipal Links (C/MLs) had a courtesy call with the mayors and local social welfare and development officers (SWDOs) of Carcar City, Minglanilla, Compostela, Daanbantayan, Medellin, and Bogo City in Cebu Province to update them on the program, its thrusts and priorities for 2023.

DSWD-7 also met with LGUs of Toledo City, Danao City, San Remigio, Asturias, and Balamban in Cebu province; and Garcia-Hernandez, Clarin, and Ubay in Bohol province.

The team provided updates on the thrusts and priorities of the program for 2023 and highlighted the ongoing registration of potential 4Ps beneficiaries.  As a show of support for the implementation of the program, the LGUs provide logistical support like additional workforce, office space, and transportation vehicles to far-flung areas, as well as aftercare services for 4Ps graduating households.

Sayson added that the support of the LGUs is crucial in the implementation of DSWD programs and services, including the 4Ps.  The continued engagement with the LGUs is part of the implementation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and DSWD Joint Memorandum Circular (JMT) 2022-001.

According to the JMT, LGUs with identified 4Ps beneficiaries are encouraged to include 4Ps-related programs and activities in the local budget allocation through the Annual Investment Program (AIP), Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), and/or Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP).

The JMT also mandates the provision of appropriate programs, services, and interventions to vulnerable groups and sectors within the 4Ps and assistance in the assessment and ensuring resolution of program concerns and feedback in coordination with the DSWD workforce, especially the C/MLs.

The JMT also expects the LGUs to facilitate and address the identified supply-side gaps and concerns for health, nutrition, and education to comply with the program conditions as well as livelihood and employment in a timely manner to enable beneficiaries to sustain the gains of the program, Sayson bared.

Other topics discussed with the LGUs were the special validation of the 4Ps households unassessed and identified as non-poor in Listahanan 3; strategies to prevent cash card pawning; the registration of potential 4Ps beneficiaries and the continuing provision of social protection programs and services for both active and graduating 4Ps beneficiaries.

The 4Ps is the government’s major poverty alleviation program that invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor, eligible households, with the psychosocial and educational components provided through the Family Development Session (FDS) for the beneficiaries to improve and sustain well-being. (Photos: DSWD-7)