MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is in talks with the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development for possible amendments to the law governing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government’s flagship anti-poverty initiative.

In an interview on Monday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said enhancements are being considered to better support families transitioning out of the program and to ensure they do not fall back into poverty.

“We know that the 4Ps program is the country’s flagship anti-poverty program. It’s an investment in human capital. Admittedly, there must be program enhancement,” Gatchalian said in a televised interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “Business 360.”

Gatchalian recently met with Senator Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate committee, to discuss potential reforms, including aftercare interventions such as livelihood support for families exiting the 4Ps.

“We were looking at program enhancements like micro-entrepreneurship for 4Ps graduates… using tools such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to ensure people don’t slip back into poverty,” the DSWD chief said.

Gatchalian also said the DSWD and Senator Tulfo agreed to shift the approach of anti-poverty programs toward long-term empowerment rather than fostering dependency.

While the 4Ps law mandates a seven-year limit for household-beneficiaries, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier called for more flexible exit criteria based on a family’s actual living conditions. Gatchalian said this aligns with the department’s ongoing review of Republic Act No. 11310.

“The seven-year number is quite arbitrary,” Gatchalian said. “Some families may be ready to exit earlier, while others might need extended support due to unforeseen circumstances.”

The 4Ps program currently covers more than 4.4 million households across the country.