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The government’s flagship anti-poverty program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), was further strengthened Thursday with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs).

The signed agreement was presented to President Benigno S. Aquino III in simple ceremonies at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.

Aside from the MOA, a signed Joint Memorandum Circular as well as Administrative and Department Orders on the 4Ps were presented to the Chief Executive as part of the Departments of Health, Education, and Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to support the poverty alleviation project of the Aquino administration.

The MOA, which was presented by Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. and San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez concretizes the LGUs commitment to support the 4Ps.

“The ceremonial signing serves to advocate and promote joint endeavors with the Local Government Units and highlight joint efforts and thrusts in meeting the country’s Millennium Development Goals,” a statement from the DSWD read.

“It is also deemed necessary to formalize the partnership of the DSWD and LGUs to strengthen the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) and for the LGUs to pledge commitment to providing and delivering health and educational services necessary to meet the requirements of the program,” the statement further read.

Through this MOA, the Pantawid Pamilya aims to benefit 2.3 million families covering 936 municipalities and 74 cities in 79 provinces nationwide by December 2011.

Pantawid Pamilya utilizes the conditional cash transfer scheme made popular by successful social programs in Latin America. It provides cash grants to poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education.

The program seeks to alleviate the immediate needs of a chosen household and at the same time, invest in human capital for long-term results.

The convergence strategy of the DSWD for a synergized holistic approach in delivering social services serves to strengthen the sustainability of the program.

The three other documents presented to the President were: the Revised Joint Memorandum Circular on Pantawid Pamilya specifying the role and responsibilities of each partner agency to ensure availability of supply on health and education; the signed Administrative Order on Project RN-HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) which will employ 10,000 registered nurses who will undergo learning and development during their one year deployment to Pantawid Pamilya areas; and the signed Department Order declaring Jan. 29, 2011 as early registration day for SY 2011-2012.

The Department Order hopes to achieve the country’s Millennium Development Goals in education and is aimed at reaching out to all five and six year old children to register early to ensure enrollment in SY 2011-2012 which will also guarantee the early enrollment of the graduates of grade six students. (PNA)

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