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DaTE 3.0 JUN 2075

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

103

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JC M. ABALOS:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), institutionalized by
Republic Act No. 11310, serves as the national poverty reduction strategy and
human investment program of the country. It provides conditional cash transfers to
poor households for a maximum period of seven (7) years that is designed at
improving the health, nutrition, and education of the beneficiaries. Studies by the
World Bank and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) underscore
its pivotal role in enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of beneficiary households
and its significant contributions to nationwide poverty alleviation. Furthermore, the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) report in 2020 noted
positive outcomes, including improved child nutrition and education, enhanced
access to maternal and child health services, and sustained high levels of school
enrolment and attendance among early participants.

However, despite these positive results, the battle to eradicate poverty
remains challenging. The recent preliminary results on poverty from the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) reveal that 16.4% of Filipino families, totaling 4.51 million,
continue to live in poverty. Of these, the Pantawid Program aims to support
approximately 4.4 million households. Unfortunately, the critical task of managing
and monitoring the 4Ps households falls upon the caseholders or the City /Municipal
Links (C/MLs), who are handling caseloads averaging 500 to 800 households per
Link; a figure which is significantly well above the ideal ratio of 1:300.


For the success of the country’s poverty program initiative to continue, it is
then imperative to fortify its effective implementation. One current method
indicated in the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the Pantawid Program is
engaging Parent Groups and Parent Leaders to work with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the C/MLs. Parent Leaders serve as crucial
intermediaries between program administrators and beneficiaries within their
respective communities. Their grassroots connections and intimate understanding of
local dynamics enable them to foster trust, facilitate communication, and amplify
community voices.

Further, during the 19th Congress, this representation led a series of three (3)
public hearings across key regions: Luzon at the House of Representatives; Visayas
in Eastern Samar, and Mindanao in Sultan Kudarat. The hearings served to gather
comprehensive information and critical insights from the Parent Leaders and DSWD
C/MLs nationwide. The primary objective was to ensure that this proposed measure
accurately addresses the realities, challenges, and needs faced by Parent Leaders in
their day-to-day functions within the Pantawid Program. This proposed legislative
measure is the outcome of the said public hearings.

Thus, this bill seeks to optimize the invaluable involvement of Parent Leaders
by establishing their roles and responsibilities within the Pantawid Program.
Recognizing their voluntary service as a crucial up-close and personal link between
household beneficiaries and C/MLs, the bill further provides the Parent Leaders
with necessary allowances to support the performance of their functions. Moreover,
this measure underscores the critical importance of continuous capacity building for
Parent Leaders, mandating structured training, knowledge and skill development,
and other educational opportunities essential for the effective discharge of their
duties.

Currently, the Pantawid Program benefits from the dedication of
approximately 152,000 Parent Leaders, each managing an average of forty (40)
beneficiary households within their respective communities.

In light of the above, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Representative
4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

103

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JCM. ABALOS

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) THROUGH PARENT
LEADERS ENGAGEMENT, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “4Ps Parent
Leaders Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall promote a just and dynamic
social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free
the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services,
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of
life for all.

Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to break
intergenerational poverty through investments in human capital and the
enhancement of basic service delivery to impoverished sectors, particularly
bolstering education, healthcare, nutrition, and comprehensive childhood care and
development programs.


SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Parent Group refers to a cluster of 20 to 40 responsible persons who are
active 4Ps household beneficiaries within an area or community,
recognized and registered by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.

(b) Parent Leader (PL) refers to an elected member of a Parent Group, or
selected by the City/Municipal (C/M) Link based on a set of criteria in
cases where an election among the Parent Group members is
impracticable, who shall serve as a point person or community leader
of a Parent Group for a period of three (3) years.

(0) Assistant Parent Leader (APL) refers to an elected member of a Parent
Group, or selected by the City /Municipal (C/M) Link based on a set of
criteria in cases where an election among the Parent Group members is
impracticable, who shall assist the Parent Leader of a Parent Group for
a period of three (3) years.

(d) Caseload refers to the number of 4Ps household beneficiaries with
whom City/Municipal Links are concerned at a given period.

SEC. 4. Criteria in selecting Parent Leader and Assistant Parent Leader. —
The following criteria will be used in the selection of PLs and APLs either through
election among Parent Group members or by appointment by C/M Links:

(a) Must be an active 4Ps member;
(b) Must be residents of the Pantawid area where their children are being
monitored;

(©) Must be able to read, write, and understand the 4Ps program processes;
(d) Shall hold a maximum of three (3) officers positions concurrently in
different organizations, including the position of a parent leader; and

(©) Must exhibit good moral character.

SEC. 5. Coverage. — This Act shall cover Parent Leaders and Assistant Parent
Leaders, elected or selected to represent their Parent Group to directly and primarily
engage in providing support services to beneficiaries of Republic Act No. 11310,
otherwise known as the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act”.

‘The DSWD is hereby mandated as the lead agency in the implementation of
this Act. The DSWD shall formulate a guideline of requirements and criteria in the


election and selection of one (1) PL and one (1) APL from each duly recognized
Parent Group to. perform functions that shall strengthen the effective implementation
of the 4Ps Act.

SEC. 6. Roles of Parent Leaders and Assistant Parent Leaders. — A PL and
an APL shall assist a C/M Link in the management of their assigned caseload of 4Ps
household-beneficiaries, by performing the following roles:

(a) Assisting in the Social Case Management Process;

(b) Assisting in the Conduct of Family Development Sessions;

(c) Updating 4Ps member information;

(d) Communicating and advocating with members regarding program
compliance; and

(€) Facilitate Community Development Activities.

In the event that the PL is unable to perform duties, the APL shall assume the
tasks of the PL.

SEC. 7. Allowances. — Parent Leaders shall receive a monthly allowance of
One thousand three hundred pesos (Php1,300.00) to use for incidental expenses
related to the performance of their tasks. The prescribed amount under this Act shall
be adjusted upon the review and recommendation of the National Advisory Council
(NAC) of the 4Ps Act.

8. Periodic Assessment. ~ Every three (3) years after the effectivity of this
Act, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) shall conduct an impact
assessment to ensure the sufficiency of the allowance to make a positive impact on
Parent Leaders, and recommend to the NAC whether the allowance shall be
adjusted to its present value using the consumer price index.

SEC. 9. Enhancement Program. — The DSWD, in coordination with the
Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) and the National Association
for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWED), shall provide for a system of continuing
education, skills training, and knowledge enhancement for PLs and APLs.

SEC. 10, Awards and Recognition. — The DSWD shall set up an Awards and
Recognition System that, on an annual basis, will give tangible forms of appreciation
for the excellent performance of functions, and individual and outstanding
contributions to the strengthening of the implementation of the 4Ps program of
selected PLs and APLs.


SEC. 11. Grievance Machinery. — The DSWD shall set up a Grievance
Machinery to effectively manage complaints from and about parent leaders in the
performance of their tasks.

SEC.12. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC.13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with NAC, PASWI and
NASWEI, and other civil society organizations representing 4Ps beneficiaries, shall
formulate the rules and regulations to comprehensively implement the provisions of
this Act.

SEC.14. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC.15. 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.

SEC. 16. Effectivity. — The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,