DSWD prefers cash grants over rice distribution for 4Ps

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) maintains its stance that cash grants are more practical than distributing actual bags of rice worth PHP600 per month to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez emphasized during a DSWD Weekend Report that logistical challenges would make the distribution of rice inconvenient for recipients.

Department of Agriculture (DA) officials have proposed converting the PHP600 rice subsidy into actual rice supplied by the National Food Authority to stabilize market prices, but this faces legal and practical hurdles.

Lopez noted there is no provision in the General Appropriations Act allowing for the purchase of rice under the 4Ps program, thus no discussion with the National Advisory Council (NAC) is necessary.

The 4Ps, a flagship DSWD program aiding families below the poverty line through education and health grants, currently supports 4.4 million households nationwide.