Silang LGU creates task force against erring 4Ps beneficiaries

The Silang local government in the province of Cavite announced on Thursday, July 21, the creation of a task force that will monitor and report erring Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the town.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 10, Series of 2022 issued by Silang, Cavite Mayor Kevin Anarna, Task Force Disiplina sa 4Ps (TFD-4Ps) was formed to help the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in monitoring and reporting 4Ps beneficiaries who are using the financial aid in their vices and, in some cases, illegal activities.

“This task force will help the MSWDO in monitoring and reporting violators like those who use the money they receive from the 4Ps in financing their vices such as gambling and drinking alcohol,” Anarna said.

TFD-4Ps is headed by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, with the Local Chief of Police and the President of the Association of Barangay Captains as members.

“This is in response to the efforts of the National Government, thru the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) to clean up the list of 4Ps beneficiaries, get rid of all the violators and free up slots for more deserving families,” Anarna added.

According to the mayor, the primary tasks of TFD-4Ps are:

1. To oversee the compliance of 4Ps beneficiaries with the conditions of the program; 2. To issue the guidelines for the monitoring of compliance of 4Ps beneficiaries; 3. To report the violations and make recommendations therein under the grievance redress mechanism of the Program; and 4. Other tasks that may be assigned by the Municipal Mayor.

The MSWDO will report the violations, such as pawning of cash cards, gambling and drinking of alcohol, to the DSWD Regional Office.

Residents are also encouraged to report to the task force and the MSWD violations of beneficiaries with accompanying evidence for validation and immediate action.

“A lot of Filipino families, including Silangueños, are waitlisted and deserve to be in the 4Ps but with limited budget, only a few make it in the final list,” Anarna said.

“As we continue with our fight against poverty, malnutrition and lack of proper education, we have to make sure that those in the program truly deserve to be there,” he added.

On Tuesday, July 19, Malacañang announced that a validation conducted by DSWD found out that 1.3 million beneficiaries are no longer qualified for the 4Ps.

This was reported by DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo during the third Cabinet meeting presided over by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos.

“Of note is Sec. Erwin Tulfo’s declaration that in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at least 1.3 million beneficiaries out of 4.4 (million) are no longer considered ‘poor’ as a qualification for the 4Ps benefits,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said.

“This frees up P15B for other qualified persons to replace them and now be included in the 4Ps program,” she added.

Last week, the DSWD announced that it is updating its nationwide list of 4Ps beneficiaries to ensure that all unqualified and ineligible beneficiaries will be removed from the program.