The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) NCR took the initiative to participate in a public consultation to discuss House Bill No. 10388, also known as “An Act Strengthening the Effective Implementation of the 4Ps through Parent Leaders Engagement, and Providing Funds Therefor,” today (August 5) at the House of Representatives, Quezon City.
During the consultation, key figures from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), including DSWD NCR Assistant Regional Director for Operations Bienvenido Jr. Barbosa, alongside 4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya and 4Ps NCR Regional Program Coordinator Leah Bautista, actively engaged in discussions with the participants, aiming to exchange ideas and insights to further review the enhancement of 4Ps as flagship anti-poverty program of DSWD.
The event was witnessed by the 3 Area coordinators/supervisors, 20 City-Links, and 80 Parent Leaders from Manila, Caloocan, and Quezon City, where a significant concentration of 4Ps beneficiaries resides within Metro Manila.
The HB 10388 aims to provide resources and support to the parent leaders through monetary incentives as they perform and optimize their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the 4Ps in the Philippines.
Further, the bill seeks to provide the PLs with structured training, knowledge and skills enhancement, and other educational opportunities to help carry out their task in the 4Ps.
Meanwhile, Ms. Bautista reflects on the importance of the public consultation and the potential impact of HB 10388 on the 4Ps beneficiaries,
“We believe that by strengthening the roles of Parent Leaders through this proposed bill, we can make a positive difference in the lives of 4Ps beneficiaries, promoting sustainable poverty reduction and holistic development.” – said Bautista.
The discussion on HB No. 10388 was led by the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation and spearheaded by the bill’s principal author, Assistant Minority Leader and Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) Party List Representative Jonathan Clement ‘JC’ Abalos.
The public consultation serves as a vital platform for 4Ps to advocate for necessary policy amendments that can bring about positive changes and amplify the impact of the program on poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities.