HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima defended the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) on Monday, countering calls to scrap the conditional cash transfer initiative.
De Lima, one of the authors of the law institutionalizing 4Ps, rejected Senator Erwin Tulfo’s proposal to replace it with livelihood assistance, asserting that the program is not a form of dole-out but a system based on shared responsibility.
“Hindi palamunin ang mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps. Hindi limos ang programang ito,” she said.
“May mga kondisyon ang programang ito para maipagkaloob sa mga benepisyaryo ang suporta ng gobyerno kaya nga ang tawag din dito ay Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program. Batay ito sa prinsipyo ng shared responsibility…It upholds dignity and empowers families to rise from poverty,” she added.
While acknowledging flaws in implementation, De Lima emphasized that these should be addressed through better targeting and monitoring—not by dismantling the program.
She cited President Marcos’ report that over 600,000 families had achieved self-sufficiency under 4Ps, proving its impact.
Instead of scrapping it, De Lima called for expanding 4Ps through her proposed House Bill 1434, which includes livelihood training and employment facilitation.
“Let’s not destroy a program that has shown clear success,” she said. “We need to strengthen it and give families the tools for sustainable progress.”
