4Ps to include 5,000 families in N. Cotabato by Dani Doguiles KORONADAL CITY -- Some 5,000 families from Kabacan, North Cotabato could be included in the national government’s conditional cash transfer program. This after the municipality is included in the fifth set of LGU beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Susan Macalipat, social welfare and development officer of Kabacan said, based on the National Household Targeting Survey of 2009 the municipality has 5,018 families that could qualify in the CCT. Most of them reside conflict-affected villages of Simone, Nangaan, Pisan, Simbuhay, and Tamped. Macalipat clarified, the list is not final since this will still be validated during the community assembly and family registration on December 13 to 17. Aside from Kabacan, 4Ps expansion in North Cotabato will also include poor families on the municipalities of Makilala, Midsayap, and Libun22
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gan and the city of Kidapawan. At present, 4Ps is being implemented in 12 towns, namely: Alamada, Aleosan, Antipas, Banisilan, Carmen, Magpet, Matalam, Pigcawayan, Pikit, President Roxas, and Tulunan. Records from DSWD12 showed that the present number of CCT beneficiaries stands at 42,189 families. Cash grants released to these beneficiaries have reached a total of P72.28 million. 4Ps is one of the
Monday, December 12, 2011
three poverty reduction strategies of the national government under the DSWD. It provides poorest of the poor families with monthly cash grants reaching up to P1,400 to ensure education, nutrition, and healrh of children. Continuity of cash grants depends on compliance with certain conditions including attendance of children in school, regular visit to the health center, and pre-natal check ups of mothers.