MANILA — Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are set to gain access to low-cost social insurance as they become members of the Social Security System (SSS), following a new agreement between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and SSS.
According to Philippines News Agency, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed on Monday, formalizing the collaboration. DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao highlighted the partnership’s goal of extending social security coverage to 4Ps beneficiaries, which will help provide safety nets against income loss, sickness, and other financial burdens. This new initiative, dubbed the "4Ps AlkanSSSya Program," will include a contribution subsidy table tailored specifically for the 4Ps organized groups based on actuarial studies and the beneficiaries' ability to afford the PHP 570.00 monthly minimum.
The arrangement covers not only individual beneficiaries but also members of workers' associations, informal sector groups, and Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations. The SSS will facilitate the registration and application processes for all eligible participants. Furthermore, both agencies will engage in conducting seminars and orientation activities to educate beneficiaries about the importance and benefits of SSS membership and savings.
DSWD's focus on financial literacy is part of a broader effort to ensure the financial security and sustainability of 4Ps beneficiaries as they transition out of the program. “Before graduating from 4Ps, it is crucial for beneficiaries to have security or insurance," noted Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps national program manager, underscoring the importance of insurance in the DSWD’s Social Welfare and Development Indicator framework.
The 4Ps program, which was institutionalized under Republic Act 11310 on April 17, 2019, aims to assist poor and vulnerable families in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty through investments in human capital. As of the end of May, the program supports approximately 4.3 million households nationwide with conditional cash grants.