The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday released its guidelines for the implementation of the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) of Life conditional cash grant under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao stressed that the agency will be able to improve the health-seeking behavior of 4Ps beneficiaries and prioritize the needs of young children to prevent stunting and malnutrition.

She added that the guidelines are stipulated in the Department’s Memorandum Circular (MC) 1 series of 2025 signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian on 6 January.

The 4Ps F1KD cash grant is an additional financial assistance grant that aims to cover essential health and nutrition expenses during this critical period of a child’s life.

It aims to provide monthly health grants worth P350 to female 4Ps beneficiaries who are pregnant and households that have children from 0 to 2 years old.

To ensure favorable health outcomes for 4Ps mothers and their children, Dumlao said the 4Ps F1KD grants have conditionalities aligned with the implementation of Republic Act 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act and existing protocols set by the Department of Health.

The conditionalities include accessing pre-natal services at DoH-accredited health facilities, tracking pregnancy and receiving ante-natal care services, child birthing or delivery at a DoH-accredited health facility, attending post-natal visits, participating in counseling sessions, and obtaining micronutrient supplements and immunizations, among others.