The recent pronouncement of Senator Erwin Tulfo to abolish the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has reignited a long-standing debate that many Filipinos — especially the working class — have been grappling with for years. Tulfo’s proposal to replace the cash grants with livelihood capital is not only timely, but it also reflects a much-needed shift in how we view social welfare: from dependence to dignity, from survival to sustainability.
For over two decades, the Philippine government has funneled hundreds of billions of pesos into the 4Ps program under different administrations. Initially launched during the Arroyo administration and institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps was envisioned as a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative aimed at reducing poverty by supporting poor families with monthly cash grants—provided they meet certain conditions, such as school attendance and regular health check-ups for their children.
But let’s not sugarcoat the reality: the system has been abused, and its impact on long-term poverty reduction remains highly questionable.
A Culture of Dependence, Not Development
Senator Tulfo, drawing from his firsthand experience as former DSWD Secretary, has pointed out a truth that many have seen but few dared to say out loud: a culture of dependency has grown around the 4Ps program. Monthly payouts have become a lifestyle crutch for some recipients, not a bridge to self-reliance. Reports abound of 4Ps beneficiaries pawning their ATM cards to loan sharks, spending their allowances on alcohol, cigarettes, and fast food, and failing to prioritize education, health, or household needs.
On every payout day, it is not uncommon to see long lines of beneficiaries flocking to malls and eateries. While there is nothing inherently wrong with treating oneself occasionally, the purpose of 4Ps was never to subsidize consumerism. It was meant to uplift lives, not perpetuate dependency.
Moreover, these funds are not free money. The government borrows heavily from institutions like the World Bank to finance the program, adding to the ballooning national debt. It is the hardworking, tax-paying Filipino workers — janitors, security guards, drivers, and minimum wage earners — who shoulder the burden, yet they don’t even qualify for the very assistance they help fund.
The Working Class: Forgotten and Overburdened
Here lies a painful irony: the working class, the backbone of our economy, are left to fend for themselves while their taxes subsidize others. They stretch their incomes to cover rising costs of living, yet there is no equivalent government support for them. No special programs, no regular cash grants, no livelihood capital. Just taxes — and more taxes.
Why should a single mother earning minimum wage and paying her dues receive nothing while her unemployed neighbor gets thousands in cash assistance, month after month, with no obligation to improve her situation? Where is the justice in that?
This is the glaring inequity that Tulfo is trying to address. It is not about abandoning the poor — it is about demanding accountability and pushing for a better model of social empowerment.
From Cash Transfers to Capital Investment
Senator Tulfo’s proposal to abolish the 4Ps in favor of providing livelihood capital is both courageous and practical. Rather than giving temporary relief, the government should equip beneficiaries with tools to build lasting livelihoods — from sari-sari stores to micro-enterprises, online selling, or skills training. This approach will not only restore their dignity but also help them become contributors to the economy, not just recipients of aid.
Critics, including former senator Leila de Lima, argue that the program needs reform, not abolition. But two decades is long enough to see whether reforms are enough. The truth is, you cannot reform a system that reinforces complacency. At some point, you need a complete paradigm shift — and that time is now.
According to the Department of Budget and Management, ₱114 billion has been allocated for 4Ps in 2025 alone, a staggering increase from the previous year. That’s an estimated ₱27,000 annually per beneficiary across 4.2 million recipients. Yet, poverty rates remain high. If we reallocate even half of that amount to capital funding, millions could start businesses and hire others. The money would circulate within communities, create jobs, and build lasting assets.
This is not just welfare. It is nation-building.
We Need Accountability, Not Alms
We must also not ignore the rampant abuse and corruption within the system. Reports of “ghost” beneficiaries, duplicated entries, or families who continue to receive grants despite improved living conditions are real. There are even cases where local officials exploit the list of beneficiaries for political leverage.
Without a strong monitoring mechanism, conditionality becomes toothless. Without exit strategies, people stay in the program indefinitely. And without accountability, the public’s trust erodes. Is this the kind of program we want to protect? Or should we be brave enough to demand better?
The Path Forward
This is not a call to abandon the poor. It is a call to empower them. It is time we recognize that charity — when prolonged without progress — becomes cruelty. The government must build programs that create value, not perpetuate vulnerability.
We propose the following:
- A phase-out plan for 4Ps, with clear timelines and livelihood transition programs;
- Redirection of funds toward capital assistance, skills training, and entrepreneurial development;
- A tax relief or subsidy scheme for low-income workers, especially those who currently receive no government aid;
- Strengthened social safety nets for the truly indigent, elderly, or disabled;
- And finally, independent auditing of the 4Ps program and its beneficiaries.
Final Thoughts
Senator Tulfo may have ruffled feathers, but he is speaking the truth many are afraid to confront. The government cannot keep pouring borrowed money into a program that has shown diminishing returns. Filipinos deserve more than handouts — they deserve opportunities. They deserve a government that empowers them to stand on their own feet.
Let’s stop giving people fish for life. It’s time to hand them the rod and teach them how to fish — sustainably, responsibly, and with dignity.
Enough of the dole-outs. It’s time for real change.
#EndWelfareDependency #EmpowerThePoor #JusticeForTheWorkingClass