True to its mandate to uphold the value of health, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the implementation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) resumes monitoring of compliance to program conditionalities particularly on health component starting this current period (August-September 2020).

With this resumption, the Department urges program beneficiaries to visit health center facilities and coordinate with their barangay health workers.

This is to further ensure that the 4Ps family beneficiaries remain healthy and in good condition amid threats of the Corona-Virus disease and other health threats that may arise such as malnutrition, vaccine-preventable diseases, among others.

Furthermore, DSWD advises beneficiaries to know the details on how to avail health services such as health center visit, home visit, and other health-related activities while following the guidelines set by their city/municipal health office and/or the Department of Health.

It can be recalled that the Department has waived compliance of beneficiaries to the conditionalities of the 4Ps program since the uproar brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was possible through the signing of a resolution on Force Majeure effective last February.

Under Rule No. VIII Section 15 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA 11310 or the 4Ps Act, the Department Secretary may suspend monitoring of compliance of beneficiaries under a ‘force majeure’ circumstance.

Because of this, the beneficiaries became entitled to cash grants even without compliance to program conditionalities such as sending their children to school, pre/post natal check-ups, regular and preventive check-up for children 5 years old and below, de-worming for children aged 14 and below, and attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS).

The resumption of health compliance monitoring consequently means that the grants intended for health will only be granted to beneficiaries once they comply with health conditionality.

However, monitoring of education compliance and attendance to FDS still remain suspended until further advisory.

Meanwhile, DSWD studies the possibility of utilizing technological advancements as we transition to the new normal without the need for mass-gathering such as the newly-introduced e-FDS.