MABALACAT City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo is pushing for a more localized implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.
The City Government is implementing a local version of 4Ps program called “Pagkain sa Hapag Kainan.”
Garbo recently joined the Family Development Session and Parent-Leaders Assembly of local 4Ps program beneficiaries in Barangay Mabiga.
The assembly was conducted by the City Social Assistance Office (SAO).
Garbo vowed to provide infrastructures like health stations and educational facilities, to enable the beneficiaries to comply with the health and education requirements of the local 4Ps.
The mayor also mentioned that he is against the participation of local officials in identifying beneficiaries to maintain impartiality and to avoid the perception of possible political influence.
Beneficiaries of the national government's 4Ps were identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or database of poor families.
Social Assistance Action head Ma. Luisa Maglalang said they have enhanced the targeting system and are now implementing quality control measures such as random re-interviews and spot checks to ensure that the assessment will produce accurate and reliable results.
Advisory committees for the 4Ps at the provincial and municipal levels are organized and headed by the governor and the town mayor, respectively.
These advisory committees oversee the overall implementation of the 4Ps in the provincial, city, and municipal level
"We are also responsible for ensuring that the commitments of the local government stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement are fulfilled. In addition, they are also tasked to facilitate and address complaints and request endorsement to the committees,” Garbo said.