LUCENA CITY (PIA) — Pregnant and lactating women enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) can now better support the health and nutritional needs of their infants as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Calabarzon rolls out the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) conditional cash grant.
DSWD IV-A Regional Information Officer Joseph Arceo said the initiative, which provides a ₱350 monthly subsidy to eligible beneficiaries, is part of the agency’s efforts to combat malnutrition and stunting among 4Ps children by improving access to child health and nutrition services.
“Ang F1KD ay tugon ng DSWD sa kalusugan at nutrisyon ng mga ina at bata na isinisulong ng Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act. Gusto po natin na maalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga nanay na nagbubuntis at batang edad 0 hanggang dalawang taon upang maiwasan ang malnutrisyon at stunting ng mga bata,” Arceo told the media during the Kapihan sa PIA Quezon on Feb. 26.
He emphasized that the new 4Ps program component aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure Filipino children receive proper nutrition during their critical early years.
“Bukod sa edukasyon, kabilang din sa tinututukan natin sa Pantawid Program ang kalusugan ng mga bata. Nakikita natin minsan na ang suporta sa kalusugan ng mga bata ay hindi nagiging sapat kaya nagkakaroon ng damage sa kanilang early development years,” Arceo explained.
The F1KD grant targets active 4Ps household beneficiaries with members who are either pregnant or have children ages 0 to two years. As part of its initial implementation, the DSWD Field Office IV-A tapped 60 4Ps parent leaders in Sariaya, Quezon, on Feb. 6 to help communicate the program’s details to eligible beneficiaries.
To qualify for the monthly F1KD subsidy, beneficiaries must meet specific conditions, including accessing prenatal care at Department of Health-accredited health facilities, regular pregnancy tracking, giving birth at a Department of Health-accredited facility, attending postnatal checkups, participating in counseling sessions and receiving micronutrient supplements and immunizations.
Eligible 4Ps members must update their household information through the regular manual records update or via i-Registro at https://iregistro-4ps.dswd.gov.ph. Arceo also encouraged beneficiaries to coordinate with their respective DSWD local offices or 4Ps parent leaders. (RMO, PIA Quezon)
