Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1040 
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The pursuit of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger remains a paramount 
goal for nations worldwide. As stated in Millennium Development Goal 1,  which 
focuses on "Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger," member states have diligently 
worked towards devising viable means and mechanisms to achieve this overarching 
objective. The gravity of this endeavor is further underscored by the country’s 
President during his 2022 State of the Nation Address by articulating our 
commitment to achieving a single-digit poverty rate by 2028. 
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, or Republic Act No. 
11310, is one such mechanism. It is the country’s foremost poverty reduction strategy 
and a human capital investment program designed to break the intergenerational 
cycle of poverty by investing in children's health and education. The program 
provides conditional cash transfers to qualified household beneficiaries for a 
maximum period of seven (7) years. 
Notably, extensive research conducted by institutions such as the United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)1 and the 
1 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization . Reducing Global Poverty through Universal 
Primary and Secondary Education. June 2017. 
1 
July 1, 2025
6:24 pm


United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)2 consistently underscores 
education’s transformative impact on combating poverty. Local studies further 
support these findings, revealing improved academic performance, reduced dropout 
rates, increased attendance and enrollment,3 and enhanced healthcare and 
educational outcomes among beneficiary children4. Further, over the academic years 
spanning 2010-2023, the 4Ps program has yielded substantial results, with 11,436,938 
elementary graduates and 3,254,002 high school graduates. 
 
Notwithstanding these commendable achievements of the 4Ps program, a 
notable discrepancy exists in the number of college graduates relative to elementary 
and high school graduates among 4Ps beneficiaries. The number of college graduates 
is relatively modest at 32,556. This discrepancy may be attributed to the program's 
focal demographic, which spans children from infancy to eighteen years of age. 
Consequently, households are delisted from the program when they no longer have 
eligible members (having children of 0-18 years old children or pregnant members), 
or when the last child completes high school. Given the expenses associated with 
tertiary education, households may choose not to continue their children's education 
but instead encourage them to enter the workforce. Nonetheless, recognizing the 
pivotal role of sustained access to education in poverty alleviation and the 
realization of individual potential, it becomes imperative to broaden the scope of 
support extended to beneficiaries. 
 
In this regard, the bill aims to establish the 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education 
and Employment Program (4Ps STEEP) designed to facilitate the education of 4Ps 
children-beneficiaries into tertiary education, including technical-vocational courses, 
and provide assistance in employment. 
 
The bill seeks to mandate that public or private institutions and organizations 
offering educational assistance prioritize 4Ps STEEP-beneficiaries. Private or public 
higher tertiary education and technical vocational institutions shall allocate not less 
than ten percent (10%) of their available enrollment slots to prioritize qualified 4Ps 
STEEP beneficiaries pursuing tertiary-level education within their institution. 
Further, recognizing the multifaceted nature of educational expenses, the bill 
empowers beneficiaries to avail themselves of various forms of educational 
assistance, including scholarships, grants, student loans, subsidies, financial aid, and 
other incentives. 
4 Braganza, C., Goozee, H., & Peres, A. (2018). The healthcare and education impacts of the Pantawid Pamilyang 
Pilipino Programme. 
3 Flores, M. J. S., Espinoza, C. A. B., Enrico, H. C., & Casimiro, R. R. (2019). Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program 
(4Ps): Its effect on the academic performance of student-beneficiaries in Calaba National High School in the 
Philippines. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 9(2), 193-208. 
2 Junjunia, Zubair , and United Nations Development Programme. “The Future of Education.” UNDP, 23 Jan. 
2024, www.undp.org/blog/future-education. 
2 


The bill also integrates measures for employment facilitation to secure 
long-term sustainability for beneficiaries post-graduation. It prioritizes at least ten 
percent (10%) of all contractual and casual positions within governmental entities for 
4Ps STEEP beneficiaries. Priority enlistment status is also granted to beneficiaries 
seeking roles in the military, uniformed personnel services, and other governmental 
institutions crucial for national defense and security. Moreover, the legislation 
incentivizes private sector involvement by offering tax deductions to entities hiring 
4Ps STEEP beneficiaries who meet the prescribed qualifications. This provision is 
intended to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing 
poverty reduction initiatives to further strengthen the 4Ps Act. By encouraging the 
engagement of both sectors, the bill seeks to bolster employment opportunities for 
beneficiaries and fortify their economic resilience beyond the educational realm of 
the program. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JC M. ABALOS 
Representative 
4Ps Partylist 
3 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1040 
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING SUPPORT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AND 
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM OF PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO 
PROGRAM STUDENT BENEFICIARIES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:​
SECTION 1.  Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “4Ps Support to 
Tertiary Education and Employment Program (4Ps STEEP)”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure its commitment to 
social justice through the creation of economic opportunities grounded in the 
freedom of initiative and self-reliance. The State shall accord the highest priority in 
safeguarding and enhancing the fundamental right of all individuals to human 
dignity, specifically targeting the reduction of social, economic, and political 
inequalities. 
Towards this end, the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens 
to quality education across all levels and and shall establish mechanisms to make 
education accessible to all. The State shall likewise promote full employment and 
ensure equality of work opportunities for all. 
4 


SEC. 3. Establishment of 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education and Employment 
Program (4Ps STEEP). — The Department of Social Welfare and Development  
(DSWD) shall establish a 4Ps Support to Tertiary Education and Employment 
Program (4Ps STEEP) as a mechanism for children of household-beneficiaries of the 
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to develop interest in postsecondary 
education, assist in the access and completion of tertiary education, and ensure 
prioritization of 4Ps STEEP beneficiary in employment. 
 
The 4Ps STEEP shall continuously advance the objectives of Republic Act No. 
11310, or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), as a national strategy in 
breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty by facilitating the pursuit of 
education and employment of its student beneficiaries. 
 
SEC. 4. Scope. — The 4Ps STEEP established under this Act shall be available 
to children of former and current 4Ps household beneficiaries who wish to pursue 
tertiary education in a postsecondary non-degree certificate or diploma course, or an 
undergraduate degree program in any state university or college (SUC), local 
university or college (LUC), or private higher education institute (PHEI), or a public 
or private technical-vocational institution (TVI). 
 
The 4Ps STEEP shall provide assistance to a qualified beneficiary including: 
(a)​Cultivation of interest in postsecondary education; 
(b)​College readiness assessment and developmental session; 
(c)​Access to and completion of tertiary education; 
(d)​Course and academic counseling; 
(e)​Mentorship; 
(f)​ Vocational guidance and counseling; and 
(g)​Employment facilitation. 
 
SEC. 5. Qualified Beneficiary. – A 4Ps STEEP beneficiary shall possess the 
following qualifications: 
(a)​Must be a child of a current 4Ps household beneficiary or a child of a 
former 4Ps household beneficiary: Provided, That, at the time of 
application to the 4Ps STEEP, the child is part of a household included 
in the poverty data under Republic Act No. 11315, otherwise known as 
the Community-Based Monitoring System Act, or any law establishing 
a monitoring and targeting system for poor households that may be 
enacted in the future; and 
 
(b)​Must be a graduating or graduated senior high school student,  or an 
undergraduate student who wants to pursue tertiary education.  
 
5 


SEC. 6. Accommodation in educational assistance. — A 4Ps STEEP 
beneficiary may apply for any educational assistance such as, but not limited to, 
scholarship, grant, student loan, subsidies, financial aid, or other incentives. Public 
or private institutions and organizations offering educational assistance shall 
prioritize the 4Ps STEEP-beneficiary applicant: Provided, that the 4Ps STEEP 
beneficiary applying for educational assistance satisfactorily meets the qualifications, 
requirements, or conditions set forth by the institution or organization. 
 
SEC. 7. Database Services. – The DSWD, in coordination with the Department 
of Education (DEPED), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Department of Labor 
and Employment (DOLE), shall establish a comprehensive database of all available 
tertiary educational assistance and services to streamline the process of delivering 
essential educational support to beneficiaries by facilitating easy access to relevant 
information and services. 
 
SEC. 8. Institutional accommodation in enrollment. — Educational 
institutions, public and private offering educational assistance such as, but not 
limited to, scholarship, grant, student loan, subsidies, financial aid, or other 
incentives, shall allot not less than ten percent (10%) of their available slots for 
enrollment in prioritizing qualified 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries pursuing tertiary-level 
education in their institution: Provided, That the 4Ps STEEP beneficiary shall pass or 
fulfill the qualification requirements of the educational institution. 
 
A 4Ps STEEP beneficiary shall be given priority status upon enlistment in the 
military and uniformed personnel services, such as the service branches of the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the 
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail 
Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), and other 
government institutions involved national defense, enforcement of laws, and in the 
maintenance of peace, order, and security of the country.  
  
SEC. 9. Accommodation for Employment. — Ten percent (10%) of all 
contractual and casual positions in agencies, offices or corporations of the 
government shall be prioritized for 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries: Provided, That the 4Ps 
STEEP applying for the position shall meet the terms and conditions of employment. 
 
All qualified 4Ps STEEP employees shall be subject to the same compensation, 
privileges, benefits, fringe benefits, incentives or allowances as those given to all 
other employees holding the same position.  
 
6 


SEC. 10. Incentives for Employers. — To encourage the participation of the 
private sector in the poverty reduction program of the government, private entities 
that employ 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries who meet the skills and qualifications required 
by the positions applied for shall be entitled to an additional deduction for five (5) 
years, from their gross income, equivalent to fifteen percent (15%) of the total 
amount paid as salaries and wages to 4Ps STEEP beneficiaries: Provided, That such 
private entities present proof certified by the DOLE and the DSWD that such 4Ps 
STEEP beneficiaries are under their employ.  
 
SEC. 11. Employment Service. — The 4Ps STEEP shall assist 4Ps STEEP 
beneficiaries to have access to employment. It shall help the beneficiaries find jobs 
that match their skill sets: Provided, That a 4Ps STEEP beneficiary who availed of an 
educational assistance shall adhere to the stipulated terms of the educational 
assistance program such as, but not limited to, a return service obligation. 
 
​
SEC. 12. Appropriations. — The amount required for the implementation of 
the provisions outlined in this Act shall be incorporated into the annual budget of 
the DSWD as stipulated in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
​
SEC. 13. Review and Annual Report of the Program. — Within one (1) year 
from the effectivity of this Act and subsequently on an annual basis, the DSWD, in 
collaboration with the DEPED, CHED, TESDA, and DOLE, shall furnish an annual 
report detailing the execution of this Act. Further, a compulsory review shall be 
undertaken every three (3) years following the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with DEPED, CHED, TESDA, 
DOLE, and other pertinent government agencies and stakeholders, shall undertake 
the formulation and issuance of rules and regulations to comprehensively 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause. — If for any reason or reasons, any portion or 
provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions or 
provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules, regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly.  
 
7 


SEC. 17. Effectivity. — The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation/ or 
a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved, 
 
 
 
8