Senator Erwin Tulfo is calling for a major shift in the government’s anti-poverty approach: scrap the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and provide livelihood capital instead.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, said giving capital for small businesses would be more empowering than monthly cash handouts, which he likened to giving alms.
“Even some 4Ps members themselves, they would rather have livelihood capital instead of monthly cash transfer,” the newbie senator said, citing conversations with beneficiaries during his stint as DSWD Secretary in 2022. He added that many feel stigmatized by being labeled as “freeloaders” or “lazy.”
“If we give them capital, they can use it to start businesses and contribute to the economy. We can provide them enough funds to start a sari-sari store, an eatery, or even engage in online selling,” according to him.
Tulfo also criticized the system’s perceived unfairness, noting that low-wage earners like security guards and house helpers receive no government aid despite struggling financially.
He plans to raise the proposal in an upcoming meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, stressing the need for a more effective poverty-alleviation strategy.
“We know that since PBBM’s term started, the priority has been poverty mitigation. But the question is: how do we really do this?”IMT
