Senator Erwin T. Tulfo has called for a major policy shift in the government’s flagship anti-poverty program, urging the administration to replace monthly cash aid under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with livelihood capital for beneficiaries.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, proposed providing livelihood capital instead of what he described as “seemingly giving out" alms to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

He said providing capital for small businesses would empower poor families to become self-reliant and eventually contribute more meaningfully to the economy.

“Even some 4Ps members themselves would rather have livelihood capital instead of monthly cash transfers,” Tulfo said in a statement on Sunday. 

He shared that this sentiment was echoed to him directly by beneficiaries during his stint as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2022.

The senator said beneficiaries are often unfairly branded as “freeloaders” or “lazy,” a stigma he believes stems from misconceptions about the 4Ps program.

“It is also hard for them to hear that they are being called freeloaders, lazy, and that they do not add value to the country,” he said. 

He then pointed out that. “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. ”

Tulfo also questioned the perceived inequity of the current system, lamenting that many low-wage earners like security guards and household helpers, "who also struggle financially," are excluded from the 4Ps benefits due to strict qualification rules.

He said his proposal to restructure the program will be a key agenda item in his upcoming discussions with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

“We know that since PBBM’s term started, the priority has been poverty mitigation. But the question is: how do we really do this?” Tulfo said.

In filing his proposal, Tulfo stressed a potential rethinking of how government support is delivered to vulnerable sectors, with an emphasis on economic empowerment over recurring aid.

The 4Ps program currently provides conditional monthly cash grants to millions of the country’s poorest families to improve health, nutrition, and education outcomes.