The Philippine House Committee on Poverty Alleviation led the public consultation hearing on HB No. 10388, also known as “An Act Strengthening the Effective Implementation of the 4Ps through Parent Leaders Engagement, and Providing Funds Therefor,” on July 8-9, 2024, at Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The two-day activity is in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Borongan City’s Local Government Unit, and Eastern Samar State University.
The Public Hearing was presided over by Rep. JC Abalos, the bill’s author as well as the Assistant Minority Leader and Palaguin Ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) partylist representative. It was also attended by co-authors Rep. Marcelino Libanan, Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps Partylist, and Rep. Arlene Brosas, Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Partylist; ESSU President Dr. Andres Pagatpatan, Jr.; Dir. Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager, and Director. Grace Subong, DSWD Regional Director; the 4Ps City/Municipal Links and Parent Leaders and Assistant Parent Leaders.
Furthermore, prior to the actual Public Hearing, legislators were able to observe regular program activities of the 4Ps such as Family Development Sessions, distribution of Enhanced Support Services Intervention (ESSI) livelihood cash assistance, and Cash Card Distribution, as well as visit livelihood activities of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) to gain a better understanding of how the program is implemented on the ground.
A Focus Group Discussion with the Parent Leaders and Associate Parent Leaders was also held to learn about their actual experiences.
The House Bill No. 10388 aims to provide resources and support to the Parent Leaders, Assistant Parent Leaders, and Parent Groups while they perform their mandates in the program implementation. If mandated as a law, this bill will help make the program implementation more efficient and responsive to the needs of 4.4 million beneficiaries nationwide.
