President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gachalian, Department of Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, and other government officials, discuss the country's proposed reforms to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) cash grants during a sectoral meeting in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, June 10, 2024. Ryan Baldemor, PPA pool

MANILA - Over 420,000 families have graduated from the country’s conditional cash transfer program, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday.

In his speech, Marcos touted the achievements of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which aims to help families in poverty.

“With a noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has not only consistently accomplished its annual targets, it has also proven its efficacy over the years,” he said.

“Mula noong nakaraang SONA, mahigit 420,000 pamilya ang nag-graduate sa programa. Ibig sabihin, sa tulong ng 4Ps, mas gumanda na ang kanilang kalagayan at kakayahang makipagsapalaran sa laban ng buhay,” Marcos added.

Marcos also said over 4,000 former 4Ps beneficiaries are now licensed teachers, with at least 35 of them topping various licensure examinations in the country.

Among those he mentioned are Khane Jevie Cervantes, who topped the March 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers - Elementary Level, and Alexis Alegado, who topped the April 2023 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination.

Both Cervantes and Alegado were beneficiaries of the 4Ps.

MORE BENEFITS FOR PWDs, SENIORS

Marcos also said the government will provide more benefits and incentives for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.

Among the projects in the pipeline is PhilHealth’s program for children with disabilities, which it will start implementing next year.

“Our PWDs can rest assured of government’s effective implementation of beneficial policies and programs that will guarantee equitable opportunities, special interventions and incentives for them,” Marcos said.

“Sa susunod na taon, ilulunsad ng PhilHealth ang programa nito para sa mga batang may kapansanan,” he added.

“Halos dinoble na rin ang diskwento na ibinibigay sa PWDs at senior citizens para a basic necessities at prime commodities,” Marcos also said.

Earlier this year, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture said senior citizens and PWDs will be able to avail of a P125 weekly discount on basic necessities and prime commodities from the current P65 cap.

The National Council on Disability Affairs earlier said the increased discount will also help families with PWD members as they are already burdened with a higher cost of living.

To avail of the discount, the DTI said customers should buy at least four different items from the approved list.

As of the latest estimate, there are already 10.3 million senior citizens in the Philippines or over 8 percent of the population.

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