Senator Alan Peter Cayetano renewed his call for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to reassess the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), citing concerns over the persistent issue of child stunting in the Philippines.
Following the Senate hearing on DSWD’s proposed 2025 budget, Cayetano pointed out that despite the program’s goals, one-third of Filipino children still suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition.
“If the 4Ps is meant so that may makain ang mga bata para hindi sila maging malnourished, and if the 4Ps takes care of the poorest of the poor, bakit one-third of Filipinos ang stunted pa rin?” the veteran legislator stressed.
The government is seeking P114 billion for the 4Ps next year, an increase of P8 billion from this year’s budget, but Cayetano questioned if the program is effectively addressing hunger and malnutrition.
“There’s a disconnect between the policy, the funding, and the actual results. Are we falling short with 4Ps?” the seasoned lawmaker asked.
Citing the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the senator pointed out that inadequate early childcare and prenatal interventions are major factors contributing to high stunting rates in the country.
“A third of Filipino children are short for their age. Stunting after two years can be permanent, irreversible, and even fatal.”
“A third of Filipino children are short for their age. Stunting after two years can be permanent, irreversible, and even fatal,” he warned.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunting as impaired growth due to poor nutrition and repeated infections, which can lead to long-term consequences such as poor cognition, low educational performance, and reduced productivity in adulthood.
“According to UNICEF, 95 children in the Philippines die every day from malnutrition, and 27 out of every 1,000 Filipino children don’t make it past their fifth birthday,” Cayetano said.
The 4Ps program currently supports 4.2 million families, providing at least P750 a month to beneficiaries for the improvement of children and pregnant mothers’ health through check-ups and proper nutrition.
He said DSWD should not only monitor compliance but also whether or not the program is truly improving children’s nutrition.
“The first priority should be making sure these kids aren’t going to school hungry,” Cayetano said.
He also questioned whether parents have enough knowledge to make nutritious choices with the grants they receive.
“Many parents might not know the best way to spend the money on proper nutrition.”
“Many parents might not know the best way to spend the money on proper nutrition,” Cayetano noted.
He referenced a statement from Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who stressed the importance of early childhood development, especially in the first two years of life.
“The highest return on investment is in maternal health and early childhood,” Cayetano stressed.
“It’s not just about increasing funds but ensuring that those funds are truly addressing child stunting and malnutrition,” he concluded.
