DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian discuss increase in 4Ps social amelioration fund

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At Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on August 12, 2024, hosted by Manila Prince Hotel President and former Senator Atty. Jose “Joey” D. Lina, Jr., and Manila Bulletin Publisher Sonny Coloma, they interviewed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon “Rex” T. Gatchalian, who discussed the recent increase in the 4Ps social amelioration fund. This boost will provide additional support for pregnant women and children during the latter’s first 1,000 days of life, along with other DSWD programs aimed at improving overall health outcomes.

This strategic move is expected to foster a generation of healthier, more educated Filipinos over the next decade. Secretary Gatchalian emphasized the direct link between early malnutrition and poor school performance, highlighting the importance of investing in the holistic development of Filipino children. By enhancing support for expectant mothers and young children, the government aims to tackle the root causes of learning poverty and nutritional deficiencies.

“Although there is no master list for pregnant and lactating mothers, the expanded 4P’s program will provide essential resources such as nutritional supplements, healthcare services, and early childhood development interventions. These measures are designed to optimize children’s growth and cognitive development during their formative years,” Secretary Gatchalian stated.

The administration has engaged two government agencies, the DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH), to collaborate on this initiative. “We need to be nutrient-specific and nutrient-sensitive, and ensure the provision of wash facilities and daycare centers. We will standardize measurements in the 4th and 5th class municipalities with our health service providers and develop a software system to trackprogress,” Gatchalian added.

The DSWD is also overhauling its programs to enhance impact and inclusivity. This includes adopting digital payment platforms like Gcash and Maya to streamline grant access and integrating e-wallets to improve transparency and accountability. “DSWD’s tagline is ‘Maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo,’ and we are equipping our beneficiaries with digital financial literacy programs in collaboration with partners like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Landbank, and Maya. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations from online scams and reduce the need for in-person transactions,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

 “Our social workers and community support are crucial, especially in disaster response. We’ve expanded Senator Erwin Tulfo’s family food packs program in local government units for better preparedness and timely deployment. The DSWD Academy also provides training and certification for social workers in partnership with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).” He added, “After seven years in the 4Ps program, the government supports families to prevent them from falling back into poverty, with TESDA offering work opportunities and skills training to complete the support spectrum.”

The DSWD remains committed to collaborating with government agencies, the private sectors, and local units to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Kapihan sa Manila Hotel (Kapihan) stands as a distinguished platform for dialogue and progress, organized and hosted by The Manila Hotel’s esteemed president and former Senator, Atty. Jose “Joey” D. Lina, Jr. This weekly forum is designed to engage media members on a diverse array of topics and issues of national interest. It serves as a dynamic meeting ground for government officials, industry experts, journalists, content creators, and community members. Each session of Kapihan features Atty.

Lina, alongside Manila Bulletin Publisher Mr. Sonny Coloma, who guide the discussions. A curated panel of guests delves into a specific topic, followed by an interactive segment, where media participants can pose questions. Building on its success, Kapihan has expanded its dialogues to The Manila Hotel’s sister property, and now hosting Kapihan sa Manila Prince once a month. To broaden its reach and facilitate a wider audience engagement, Kapihan is streamed live on Facebook through https://www.facebook.com/Joey.Lina.51.

Secretary Gatchalian also highlighted a significant drop in poverty incidence from 18% to 15%, reflecting the government’s progress towards its 2028 target of a single-digit poverty rate. He attributed this success to various poverty alleviation programs, including job creation and infrastructure development.

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