The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is proposing a budget of around PHP270 billion for 2027, with the largest allocation earmarked for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
This as the DSWD continues to strengthen the country’s social protection programs in line with the priorities outlined in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
In a radio interview on Tuesday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the proposed budget allocates around PHP100 billion for the 4Ps, underscoring the government’s sustained investment in helping poor families break the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare and nutrition.
“Nakita ko yung preliminary draft at masaya naman kami dahil ‘yun yung hiningi namin. Sa PHP270 billion or PHP260 billion ng DSWD, PHP100 billion ‘yan agad napupunta sa 4Ps. Tama naman kasi ‘yan ang investment natin to human capital para maiahon natin ang ating mga kababayan mula sa kahirapan. 1.6 million na pamilya na ang nag-graduate sa 4Ps (I saw the preliminary draft and we were happy because that’s what we are really asking. From the PHP270 billion or PHP260 billion, PHP100 billion will go to 4Ps. That’s our investment to human capital to lift our countrymen from poverty. There are already 1.6 million families who graduated from 4Ps). That’s how many families we’ve pulled out of poverty,” Gatchalian said.
He said another significant portion of the proposed budget, estimated at PHP30 billion to PHP60 billion, will be for the AICS program, which provides immediate financial assistance to individuals and families facing crises.
“Yung AICS program na ‘yan, hindi lang ‘yan para sa mahihirap. Everyday, marami kaming nakakasalamuha na lumalapit sa opisina na galing sa middle class at sa upper class. Kasi ang social welfare ay para sa lahat naman. Maaari kasi ngayon may kailangan ka pero dahil sa isang sakit, kailangan mo ng tulong ng pamahalaan mo, nandoon ang DSWD (The AICS program is not only for the poor. Everyday, we encounter many individuals from the middle class and upper class that approached our office for assistance. Social welfare is for everybody. You may need help today because of an ailment, and you need the help of the government, the DSWD is there),” he said.
Beyond financial assistance, Gatchalian said the remaining portion of the proposed budget will support other social protection programs, including the Walang Gutom Program, Pag-abot Program, Project Aruga and child protection initiatives.
The DSWD chief also emphasized the intensified efforts to strengthen Filipino families amid emerging challenges brought about by the digital age, particularly the Parent Effectiveness Sessions (PES) under the Protective Services and the Family Development Sessions (FDS) under 4Ps.
“Sa pag-ikot ng mundo, sa teknolohiya, yung mga kabataan natin, na-discuss ng Presidente kahapon, na-expose sa kung ano-anong mga bagay – over-sexualized online, over-violent online. So, talagang ngayon, roll-out na ng DSWD yung Parent Effectiveness Sessions natin. Nakabatas ‘yan kung saan tinuturuan natin ang mga magulang kung ano ba talaga dapat ang kanilang mga gampanin sa tahanan, kasi (As the world turns, our youth, through technology, are exposed to so many things – over-sexualized and over-violent online. This was discussed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. yesterday. So the DSWD rolled out the PES. According to law, we should teach the parents what really their duties are at home, because) after all, the first teachers are the parents,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief added that the Department will establish five additional regional residential facilities to improve the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law.
He said the proposed 2027 budget reflects the DSWD’s commitment to expanding social protection programs that not only provide immediate assistance during times of crisis, but also strengthen families and build long-term resilience among vulnerable Filipinos. (PNA)
