World · Philippines Bureau
DSWD to evaluate 79,000 Calabarzon families for 4Ps assistance
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has identified nearly 80,000 poor families across five provinces in the Calabarzon region as potential beneficiaries of the government's flagship conditional cash transfer program.
LSN Philippines ·
LUCENA CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is conducting evaluations of more than 79,000 families across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces for possible inclusion in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The families were identified as economically disadvantaged through the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS), a national survey that tracks poverty levels at the grassroots level. The CBMS serves as the primary tool for identifying households eligible for social protection programs administered by the DSWD.
The 4Ps is the government's primary conditional cash transfer initiative, providing monthly assistance to poor families who commit to health and education requirements. Beneficiaries must ensure children attend school regularly and participate in preventive health programs, conditions designed to break cycles of poverty through investments in human capital.
The evaluation process in the Calabarzon region represents a significant expansion effort as the DSWD works to strengthen its coverage in one of the country's most populous and economically active zones. Officials have not yet disclosed the timeline for completing assessments or the number of families expected to receive final approval for program benefits.