Cash Benefits of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4ps) in Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

Abstract
4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14. This program is a lead-project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in support of Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Health (DOH).This study aimed to determine the sufficiency of the actual cash allocation received by the beneficiaries as to health, nutrition and education and problems they encountered with regards to the implementation of the program. Descriptive design using Survey Technique was utilized in this study, wherein the 854P’s beneficiaries of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte were participants of the study. Based on the findings of the study, the cash grant for health and nutrition, and education were insufficient to cover the actual expenses on health and educational needs of the beneficiaries’ children. Moreover, delayed cash releases and strict rules and regulations were the major problems pointed out by the beneficiaries. It is recommended that DSWD in support with other lead agencies must come up with entrepreneurial/livelihood training and workshops for beneficiaries to augment the income and sustain their daily needs.