Recipients of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)from various cities in the National Capital Region receive their certificates from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during the ceremonial graduation at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on November 28, 2022. At least 500 families are graduating from the government’s conditional cash grant which aims to assist the poor in improving health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Thursday that some qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) may continue receiving assistance beyond the program’s maximum seven-year period.
The extension is allowed under Executive Order No. 120, Series of 2026, but only in exceptional circumstances.
The DSWD explained that poverty and vulnerability are not permanent conditions.
Families may continue to face difficulties because of economic shocks, disasters, calamities, and other crises.
FAMILIES MAY QUALIFY IF THEY:
• Have already reached the seven-year limit under 4Ps
• Continue to comply with the program’s conditions
• Are still classified under Level 1 (survival category) or Level 2 (subsistence category
• Are found to remain vulnerable during the DSWD’s reassessment
However, the extension is not automatic. The DSWD will assess the families to determine if they still qualify. The extension is expected to take effect in December.
"So the extension is a targeted social protection program because there will be a reassessment annually dun sa mga na-extend, so ibig sabihin hindi siya indefinite," said Asec. Elaine Fallacurna of DSWD's Conditional Cash Transfer Group.
STUDENTS FROM 4PS HOUSEHOLDS
The DSWD also discussed expanded tertiary education benefits under Republic Act No. 12325 where students from 4Ps households will be given priority for available Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) slots.
Priority will be based on the household's per capita income. There are around 192,000 student applicants. The assistance may cover expenses such as tuition, lodging, and allowances, subject to the applicable program requirements.
"Ibig sabhn ng prioritized, hindi rin ito automatic... so 4Ps alone does not mean that you are already granted tertiary education subsidy, you should be involved in the higher education institution, 'yun ang pinakamahalahang provision para sa DSWD," Fallacurna said.
For 2026, the government is targeting around 3.5 million 4Ps households, down from about 4.4 million in 2025.
Meanwhile, around 115,000 waitlisted families remain in the program's list, while about 16,000 additional beneficiaries are being onboarded.
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