Patuloy Ang Pagtawid Sa Pamilyang Pilipino Act

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TWENTIETH CONGRESS First Regular Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. No. 8647 BY REPRESENTATIVES MONTES, TAN (K.M.), RIVERA, ROBES, TAN (A.), ABALOS, BERNOS (C.), DE LIMA, DE VENECIA, LAGMAN, ISMULA, LOYOLA, CENDAÑA, BAG-AO, CAGAS, DIOKNO, BENITEZ (J.M.), VILLAFUERTE (V.R.L.), ROMUALDO, LIBANAN, GARCIA (D.), TERENG, OLIVAREZ, ALMARIO (C.M.), MACASAET, MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, TUPAS, ESPINA, GALEOS, SUANSING (B.V.), LORIA, BONDOC, FLORES, YAMSUAN, DY (F.), MARCOS, SUANSING (M.A.), QUIMBO, PUMAREN, YATCO, PLEYTO, LABADLABAD, ODUCADO, ANGELES, VERGARA, LEGAZPI, HERNANDEZ (F.), GARIN, MENDOZA, PRIMICIAS-AGABAS, SANTOS (M.A.S.), GONZALES (A.M.). ESCUDERO, TEVES, ZAMORA (M.C.), LAGDAMBO (M.Y.M.), ONGCHUAN, MOMO, TAN (J.), AMANTE, CORVERA, GONZALES (A.), PANCHO, CELESTE, BAUTISTA (J.M.), SAGARBARRIA, POE, BRIONES, LOPEZ, AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY, BELTRAN, CALDERON, DALOG, ROQUE, ARENAS, CENIZA, ROMAN, YU (J.K.), DIMAPORO (S.A.), RECTO, YAP (A.), SAN FERNANDO, ZUBIRI, ACIDRE, CHAN (J.), MADRONA, TIENG, TOLENTINO, BARBERS, DIONISIO, SUAN, EMANO, VILLAFUERTE (M.L.), GUTIERREZ, ORTEGA, KHONGHUN AND ADIONG AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND EXPANDING THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps), AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11310, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Patuloy ang Pagtawid sa

Pamilyang Pilipino Act." EC. 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11310 Otherwise known as the Pantaw amilyang Filipino Program (4Ps) Act is hereby amended to read as follow:

"SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order thereby uplifting its citizens and marginalized sectors from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. "The State recognizes the need to foster social justice as provided for in Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, as follows: "xxx "(g) Improve maternal health; [and] "(h) Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for allf-]; "(I) PROMOTE SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AMONG FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS; "(J) PROMOTE EDUCATION AMONG ADULT BENEFICIARIES OF 4Ps THROUGH ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING, AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; AND "(K) PROVIDE A HOLISTIC SUPPORT, SYSTEMATO TRANSION SI EROGRAN PROGRAM FOR THE GRADUATING BENEFICIARIES OF 4Ps.

SEC. 3. Section 3 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are defined, as follows: "XXX "(b) [Case Management refers to a process used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to enable the household beneficiaries to improve their functioning by dealing with their difficulties specifically in complying with the terms of the program] COMMUNITY-BASED MONITORING SYSTEM (CBS) REFERS TO AN ORGANIZED TECHNOLOGY-BASED SYSTEM OF COLLECTING, PROCESSING, VALIDATING NECESSARY DISAGGREGATED DATA THAT MAY BE USED FOR PLANNING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT MONITORING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHILE EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS. IT INVOLVES THE GENERATION OF DATA AT THE LOCAL LEVEL WHICH SERVES AS BASIS IN TARGETING HOUSEHOLDS IN THE PLANNING, BUDGETING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARDS POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THIS SYSTEM MERGES THE METHODOLOGIES USED IN DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES OF ALL NATIONAL AGENCIES, GEO- TAGGING, AND THE CBMS IMPLEMENTED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

(LGUs). IT ENTAILS A CENSUS OF HOUSEHOLDS UNDERTAKEN BY THE LGUS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY USING ACCELERATED POVERTY PROFILING SYSTEM IN THE DATA COLLECTION, PROCESSING, MAPPING, AND ANALYSIS OF DATA; "(c) Compliance Verification refers to the checking and monitoring undertaken to ensure that the qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries comply with conditions for entitlement set forth by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); "(d) Conditional Cash Grant refers to the amount received by the qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries who comply with the conditions for entitlement; "(D-1) FIRST ONE THOUSAND (1,000) DAYS REFERS TO THE PERIOD OF A CHILD'S LIFE, SPANNING THE NINE (9) MONTHS IN THE WOMB STARTING FROM CONCEPTION TO THE FIRST TWENTY-FOUR (24) MONTHS OF LIFE, WHICH IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE CRITICAL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PREVENT MALNUTRITION AND ITS LIFE-LONG CONSEQUENCES; "(D-2) GRADUATION REFERS TO THE EVENTUAL EXIT FROM THE PROGRAM, DETERMINED BY THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY LEVEL OF FAMILY- BENEFICIARIES USING THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT INDICATOR (SWDI) AND OTHER RELATED TOOLS; (e) Grantee reiers to the most responsible adult member of the qualle household] FAMILY-beneficiary authorized to receive the conditional casi transfer, "xxx "(i) Poor refers to [households] INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the [National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)] DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT (DEPDEV) and/OR cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing and other essential amenities of life; "xxx "(k) Qualified [Household] FAMILY-Beneficiaries refer to [households] FAMILIES identified by the DSWD for entitlement to the monthly conditional cash grants as provided under Section 6 of this Act; "(1) Responsible Person refers to the parent or guardian in the qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiary;

-- "(m) [Standardized Targeting System refers to a system for identifying who and where the poor households are through the generation of socioeconomic database of poor households that is adopted by national government agencies and implemented by the DSWDI SOCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT REFERS TO A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO PROBLEM-SOLVING WHERE A CASE MANAGER AND A FAMILY-BENEFICIARY AGREE ON THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY, INCLUDING THE STEPS REQUIRED TO MEET THEM, AND WHEREIN THE ROLE OF THE CASE MANAGER IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE CHALLENGES TO ACHIEVE AN IMPROVED LEVEL OF WELL-BEING; [and] "(n) Sustainable Livelihood Program refers to the livelihood and capability building program managed by the DSWD for the poor, vulnerable and marginalized families and individuals to help improve their socioeconomic conditions. The one-time livelihood assistance is in the form of microenterprise development (MD) and employment facilitation (EF). The MD track provides microenterprise interventions to the poor or savings generation while the EF track provides interventions that facilitate employment [.]; "(O) TRANSITIONING BENEFICIARY REFERS TO A FAMILY THAT IS NEARING OR HAS MET THE PROGRAM'S CONDITIONS AND IS SCHEDULED FOR GRADUATION FROM THE 4PS PROGRAM; AND "(P) TRANSITION PROGRAM REFERS TO A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORT MECHANISMS ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS ACT."

SEC. 4. Section 4 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). - The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven (7) years to improve the health, nutrition and education aspect of their lives .]: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE STILL POOR AFTER THE LAPSE OF THE MAXIMUM SEVEN-YEAR (7) PERIOD, AS DETERMINED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT INDICATOR (SWDI) OR ANY GOVERNMENT- ADOPTED EXIT TOOL, SHALL REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AS MAY BE RECOMMENDED BY THE CASE MANAGER. [The National Advisory Council (NAC) may recommend a longer period under exceptional circumstances. I"

SEC. 5. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 15. Advisory Council. - The Advisory Council shall be created at the regional and national levels to be headed by the DSWD.

"The regional advisory councils and NAC shall have, as members, representatives from the DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Depariment of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (DHSUD), COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED), Technical Education and Development Authority (TESDA). The regional advisory councils and NAC shall also have, as additional members, two (2) representatives from accredited nongovernmental organizations working or monitoring social welfare service programs. "х xx."

SEC. 6. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 5. Selection of Qualified [Household] FAMILY-Beneficiaries. - On a nationwide basis, [the DSWD shall select] qualified [household] FAMILY- beneficiaries of the 4Ps [using a standardized targeting system] SHALL BE GENERATED BY THE COMMUNITY-BASED MONITORING SYSTEM (CBMS). [it shall conduct a regular revalidation of beneficiary targeting every three (3) years.]™

SEC. 7. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 6. Eligible Beneficiaries. - Farmers, fisherfolks, homeless families, indigenous peoples, those in the informal settler sector and those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas including those in areas without electricity shall be automatically included [in the standardized targeting system to be conducted by the DSWD]: Provided, That to be eligible for the cash grants, households or families must meet the following criteria: "(a) Classified as poor and near-poor based on the [Standardized Targeting System] CBMS and the poverty threshold issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) at the time of selection; "xxx."

SEC. 8. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 7. Conditional Cash Transfer to Beneficiaries. - The Advisory Council shall determine the amount of conditional cash transfer to beneficiaries with the following schemes: "xxx

"(d) Health and nutrition grant shall not be lower than Seven hundred fifty pesos (P750.00) per month for a maximum of twelve (12) months per year. "Health/nutrition grant component aims to promote healthy practices and family development, [improve the health nutritional status of pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants and young children,] and increase the use of health services by the household-beneficiary. The health grant is a fixed amount and does not depend on the number of members in the householdI.]; AND "(E) CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER GRANT PER PREGNANT WOMAN OR CHILD UP TO TWO (2) YEARS OLD SHALL NOT BE LOWER THAN THREE HUNDRED FIFTY PESOS (P350.00) PER MONTH FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS PER YEAR. "THE FIRST ONE THOUSAND (1,000) DAYS GRANT AIMS TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATIONAL PERIOD OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MOTHERS, INFANTS, AND YOUNG CHILDREN."

SEC. 9. A new Section denominated as Section 7-A is hereby inserted after Section 7 of

the same Act to read as follows: "SEC. 7-A. RICE SUBSIDY. - PROVISION OF RICE SUBSIDY SHALL BE PAID ON TOP OF CASH GRANTS TO COMPLIANT HOUSEHOLDS. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RICE SUBSIDY SHALL NOT BE LOWER THAN SIX HUNDRED PESOS (P600.00) PER MONTH FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWELVE (12) MONTHS PER YEAR."

SEC. 10. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 8. Coverage in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). - All beneficiaries of 4Ps as identified by the [standardized targeting system] CBMS to be qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries of the 4Ps shall automatically be covered in the NHIP. The necessary funding for their coverage shall be sourced from revenue generated pursuant to Republic Act No. 10351, otherwise known as the "Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012".

SEC. 11. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 11. Conditions for Entitlement. - All qualified [household] FAMILY- beneficiaries shall comply with all the following conditions as a requirement for continued program eligibility: "x xx "(e) Children five (5) to eighteen (18) years old must attend elementary or secondary classes at least eighty-five percent (85%) of their time; [and]

"(f) At least one (1) responsible person must attend family development sessions conducted by the DSWD, at least once a month[.]; AND "(G) AT LEAST ONE (1) ADULT BENEFICIARY IS URGED TO JOIN AND COMPLETE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TRACKS OF ADULT EDUCATION SUCH AS: "(1) THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM (ALS) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) TRACK. THE ALS TRACK REFERS TO A PARALLEL LEARNING SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE EXISTING FORMAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION AND ENCOMPASSES BOTH NON-FORMAL AND INFORMAL SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS; "(2) ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DTI) AND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT. THIS REFERS TO INTERVENTIONS WHICH FOCUS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MICRO-ENTERPRISE THROUGH ENHANCEMENT OF SKILLS, PROVISION OF FINANCIAL CAPITAL AND BUILDING OR RE-BUILDING PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ASSETS, AND WHICH COVERS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING, AND BASIC BUSINESS FINANCE; OR "(3) TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT TRACK FACILITATED BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA). THIS REFERS TO TESDA-REGISTERED PROGRAMS DELIVERED BY TESDA TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC AND HIGHER PRIVATE TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES, EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OFFERING TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) PROGRAMS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS. TO ENSURE QUALITY-ASSURED IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH THIS TRACK, LEARNERS AND WORKERS ARE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ACQUIRE, OR UPGRADE, THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, VALUES, AND ATTITUDE REQUIRED AS QUALIFICATIONS FOR A JOB OR RANGE OF JOBS IN A GIVEN OCCUPATIONAL AREA. "THE AVAILMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION SHALL BE VOLUNTARY AND SHALL COMMENCE ON THE SECOND YEAR OF ENROLLMENT OR AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE CASE MANAGER.

"AS USED IN THIS ACT, ADULT EDUCATION REFERS TO INTERVENTIONS THAT IMPROVE TECHNICAL OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, FURTHER DEVELOP ABILITIES, ACQUIRE OR ENRICH KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES IN A NEW FIELD THROUGH ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM TRACK, ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK OR EMPLOYMENT TRACK. "Any or all of the conditions for entitlement may be suspended by the DSWD Secretary during times of calamities, war and armed conflicts[.] AND OTHER FORCE MAJEURE SITUATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT LAWS AND DSWD GUIDELINES. IN SUCH CASES, FULL COMPLIANCE TO SUCH CONDITIONS ARE DEEMED WAIVED AND PAYMENTS TO BENEFICIARIES SHALL BE GRANTED IN FULL."

SEC. 12. A new Section denominated as Section 11-A is hereby inserted after Section

11 of the same Act to read as follows: "SEC. 11-A. EXIT FROM 4PS. - A QUALIFIED FAMILY- BENEFICIARY SHALL BE DEEMED TO EXIT FROM THE PROGRAM, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, WHEN: "(A) THE FAMILY HAS GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM UPON ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY LEVEL OF WELL- BEING USING THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT INDICATOR (SWDI); "(B) THE FAMILY, INCLUDING EVERY MONITORED CHILD, FAILS TO COMPLY WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE PROGRAM'S CONDITIONS, DESPITE EXHAUSTIVE INTERVENTIONS THROUGH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT; "(C) THE FAMILY VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS MEMBERSHIP FROM THE PROGRAM; OR "(D) THE FAMILY COMMITS AN OFFENSE THAT RESULTS IN THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE PROGRAM, AS PER THE STANDARDS SET BY THE DSWD. "A QUALIFIED FAMILY-BENEFICIARY SHALL REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AND SHALL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SUPPORT THROUGH SOCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT. FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE EXISTING 4PS NATIONAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE (NPMO) SHALL BE CONVERTED INTO THE 4PS BUREAU, SUBJECT TO THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE DBM, WHICH SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELIVERY AND OVERSIGHT OF SOCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES."

SEC. 13. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 12. Noncompliance with Conditions. - The responsible person of a reported qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiary who fails to comply with conditions forth in Section 11 of this Act shall at first be notified in writing and the payment of months of will immediately be terminated. After four (4) noncompliance, the [household] FAMILY-beneficiary shall be subject to case management process of DSWD."

SEC. 14. Section 13 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 13. [Livelihood] POST SKILLS TRAINING AND LIVELIHOOD Interventions. - [Qualified household-] FAMILY-beneficiaries shall be given priority in availment of the modalities and interventions [under DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) or other appropriate or similar programs offered by government agencies or accredited private institutions[.] OF THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THEIR SELECTED TRACK OF ADULT EDUCATION. ADULT EDUCATION BENEFICIARIES WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK SHALL BE GIVEN ASSISTANCE BY THE DTI TO ENSURE EASE OF ESTABLISHING A MICRO OR SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND THE LINK TO THE TARGET CLIENTELE OF THE 4PS ENTREPRENEUR "(B) THE ADULT EDUCATION BENEFICIARIES WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT TRACK SHALL BE GIVEN JOB FACILITATION ASSISTANCE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. "(C) THE ADULT EDUCATION BENEFICIARIES WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ALS TRACK UNTIL THEY FINISH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SHALL BE GIVEN ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE THEIR PURSUIT OF HIGHER LEARNING OR EMPLOYMENT. "[The household-beneficiary shall also be given priority in the availment of the employment facilitation services provided by the SLP or other employment programs of appropriate government agencies implementing the same.] "LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTION. IS A MANDATORY COMPONENT OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR ALL QUALIFIED 4PS FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES TOWARDS ACHIEVING GRADUATION AND SECURING SUSTAINABLE SOURCES OF INCOME NECESSARY FOR AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE."

SEC. 15. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 14. Lead Agency. - The DSWD shall serve as the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body of the Program. in the implementation of this Act, the DSWD shall perform the following functions: enecive and cost-elicient method to identit and seleci qualited household-beneficiaries) IDENTIFY THE COVERAGE O THE 4Ps BASED ON CBMS; "(b) Identify [and select] the target NUMBER OF [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries on the basis of la uniform, objective and transparent selection process] THE PREVAILING POVERTY LEVEL as indicated in Section 5 of this Act; "xxx "(f) [Identify the coverage of the 4Ps based on the Standardized Targeting System] INTENSIFY SOCIAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR 4PS BENEFICIARIES, AS INDICATED IN SECTION 11-A OF THIS ACT, TO FACILITATE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY LEVEL OF WELL-BEING AND THEIR EVENTUAL GRADUATION FROM THE PROGRAM; "(g) Provide the seminar-workshops and training programs to educate qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries about the conditions and other actions pertinent to this Act; "(h) Organize a session on entrepreneurship and disaster preparedness and risk reduction or arrange a community development activity in the qualified [household] FAMILY-beneficiaries' respective barangay or municipality or city, whichever is available annually; "x xx."

SEC. 16. Section 24 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"[SEC. 24. Penalties. - Any person, whether or not acting in conspiracy with public officials, who, by act or omission, inserts or allows the insertion of data or false information, or who diverts from what ought to be contained in the registry, with the view of altering the fact, or aiding in the grant of the money to persons other than the qualified household-beneficiaries, shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or both imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court. A public official who commits any of the acts provided herein shall be penalized with temporary disqualification to hold public office. Administrative sanctions shall be imposed without prejudice to prosecution in the proper courts.I"

"SEC. 24. PROHIBITED ACTS. - THE FOLLOWING ARE DECLARED UNLAWFUL: "(A) IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, WHETHER OR NOT ACTING IN CONSPIRACY WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS, WHO, BY ACT OR OMISSION, INSERTS OR ALLOWS THE INSERTION OF DATA OR FALSE INFORMATION, OR WHO DIVERTS FROM WHAT OUGHT TO BE CONTAINED IN THE REGISTRY, WITH THE VIEW OF ALTERING THE FACT, OR AIDING IN THE GRANT OF THE MONEY TO PERSONS OTHER THAN THE QUALIFIED FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES; AND "(B) LIKEWISE, IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION TO COMMIT THE FOLLOWING ACTS: "(I) USE THE CASH GRANTS OR TRANSACTION CARDS AND OTHER 4PS DOCUMENTS OF THE FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES AS LOAN COLLATERAL; "(Il) FACILITATE ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE USE OF THE CASH GRANTS OR TRANSACTION CARDS AND OTHER 4PS DOCUMENTS OF THE FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES FOR A FEE OR COMMISSION; AND "(III) WITHDRAW THE CASH GRANTS USING THE TRANSACTION CARDS OF QUALIFIED FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY STATING JUSTIFIABLE GROUNDS THEREFOR."

SEC. 17. A new Section denominated as Section 24-A is hereby inserted after Section

24 of the same Act to read as follows: "SEC. 24-A. PENALTIES. - ANY PERSON, GROUP, OR ORGANIZATION WHO VIOLATES SECTION 24 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE PENALIZED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE (1) MONTH BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) YEAR, OR A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P10,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) OR BOTH IMPRISONMENT AND FINE: PROVIDED, THAT ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHO VIOLATES SECTION 24 OF THIS ACT SHALL BE PENALIZED WITH TEMPORARY DISQUALIFICATION TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE IN ADDITION TO OTHER APPLICABLE ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS."

SEC. 18. New sections after Section 24 of the same Act are hereby inserted, to read as

follows: "SEC. 25. ESTABLISHMENT OF 4PS SUPPORT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (4PS STEEP). - THE DSWD SHALL ESTABLISH A 4PS SUPPORT TO TERTIARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (4PS STEEP) AS A MECHANISM FOR CHILDREN OF FAMILY- BENEFICIARIES OF 4PS TO DEVELOP INTEREST IN POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATION, ASSIST IN THE ACCESS AND COMPLETION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND ENSURE PRIORITIZATION OF 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARY IN EMPLOYMENT. "(A) ACCOMMODATION IN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. - A 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARY MAY APPLY FOR ANY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS, SCHOLARSHIP, GRANT, STUDENT LOAN, SUBSIDIES, FINANCIAL AID, OR OTHER INCENTIVES. PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SHALL PRIORITIZE THE 4PS STEEP- BENEFICIARY APPLICANT: PROVIDED, THAT THE 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARY APPLYING FOR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SATISFACTORILY MEETS THE QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, OR CONDITIONS SET FORTH BY THE INSTITUTION OR ORGANIZATION. "(B) • INSTITUTIONAL ACCOMMODATION IN ENROLLMENT. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE OFFERING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS, SCHOLARSHIP, GRANT, STUDENT LOAN, SUBSIDIES, FINANCIAL AID, OR OTHER INCENTIVES, SHALL ALLOT NOT LESS THAN TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THEIR AVAILABLE SLOTS FOR ENROLLMENT AND AVAILMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN PRIORITIZING QUALIFIED 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARIES PURSUING TERTIARY-LEVEL EDUCATION IN THEIR INSTITUTION: PROVIDED, THAT THE 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARY SHALL PASS OR FULFILL THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. "(C) ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. - TEN PERCENT (10%) OF ALL CONTRACTUAL AND CASUAL POSITIONS IN AGENCIES, OFFICES OR CORPORATIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE PRIORITIZED FOR 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARIES: PROVIDED, THAT THE 4PS STEEP APPLYING FOR THE POSITION SHALL MEET THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT. "A 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARY SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY STATUS UPON ENLISTMENT IN THE MILITARY AND UNIFORMED PERSONNEL SERVICES, SUCH AS THE SERVICE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD, THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION, BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY, BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE, ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, AND IN THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE, ORDER, AND SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY.

"(D) INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS. - TO ENCOURAGE THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT, PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT EMPLOY 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARIES WHO MEET THE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED BY THE POSITIONS APPLIED FOR SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN ADDITIONAL DEDUCTION FOR FIVE (5) YEARS, FROM THEIR GROSS INCOME, EQUIVALENT TO FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID AS SALARIES AND WAGES TO 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARIES: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH PRIVATE ENTITIES PRESENT PROOF CERTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) AND THE DSWD THAT SUCH 4PS STEEP BENEFICIARIES ARE UNDER THEIR EMPLOY." "SEC. 26. ESTABLISHMENT OF 4PS COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE. - THE DSWD IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SHALL ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A DATABASE SYSTEM CONTAINING AN UPDATED ROSTER OF ALL FAMILY-BENEFICIARIES INCLUDING THE STATUS OF THOSE WHO GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM." "SEC. 27. SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS PROGRAM FOR EXITING AND GRADUATED BENEFICIARIES. - THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT TO EXITING AND GRADUATED BENEFICIARIES: "(A) LIVELIHOOD AND SKILLS TRAINING. THE PROGRAM SHALL OFFER VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS TRAINING IN COORDINATION WITH THE TESDA AND OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE TRAINING SHALL BE BASED ON LOCAL MARKET DEMANDS TO ENSURE EMPLOYABILITY. "(B) FINANCIAL LITERACY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKSHOPS. BENEFICIARIES SHALL BE ENROLLED IN MANDATORY WORKSHOPS ON BASIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, SAVINGS, CREDIT, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. THIS SHALL INCLUDE ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING BUSINESS PLANS AND ACCESSING START-UP CAPITAL.

"(C) ACCESS TO MICRO-FINANCING. THE PROGRAM SHALL FACILITATE ACCESS TO MICRO-FINANCING AND CREDIT FACILITIES FROM GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ACCREDITED PRIVATE PARTNERS AT PREFERENTIAL RATES TO SUPPORT SMALL-SCALE ENTERPRISES INITIATED BY BENEFICIARIES. "(D) JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DOLE AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE JOB MATCHING, CAREER COUNSELING, AND JOB FAIR FACILITATION TO ASSIST TRANSITIONING BENEFICIARIES IN SECURING STABLE EMPLOYMENT. "(E) EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILDREN. TO PREVENT BENEFICIARIES FROM REVERTING TO POVERTY, THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE CONTINUED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, SUCH AS SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS, FOR THE CHILDREN OF TRANSITIONING BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE ENROLLED IN HIGHER EDUCATION OR VOCATIONAL COURSES. "THE DSWD SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE DOLE, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS THROUGH A PACKAGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO EXITING AND GRADUATED WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED AS PART OF THE FAMILIES, SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM FOR 4PS BENEFICIARIES WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING POVERTY AND VULNERABILITY. "THE DOH, DEPED, CHED, TESDA, DTI, AND DOLE SHALL FACILITATE AND ADDRESS THE IDENTIFIED SUPPLY-SIDE GAPS AND CONCERNS AND FOR HEALTH, NUTRITION, EMPLOYMENT. SPECIFICALLY, THEY SHALL IMPLEMENT EDUCATION, LIvELIHOO, SKILLS UPGRADING INITIATIVES FOR BENEFICIARIES TO ENHANCE EMPLOYABILITY AND INCOME GENERATION. FURTHERMORE, THEY SHALL DESIGN APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, INTERVENTIONS TO SUIT THE NEEDS AND ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES FACED BY VULNERABLE GROUPS AND SECTORS WITHIN THE 4PS SUCH AS, WOMEN, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THOSE GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AND DISADVANTAGED AREAS.

"ALL PROVINCES, CITIES, AND MUNICIPALITIES SHALL ENACT A COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL SOCIAL PROTECTION ORDINANCE, WHICH SHALL MANDATE THE ADEQUATE SOCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES FOR 4PS HOUSEHOLDS AFTER THEIR GRADUATION FROM THE PROGRAM. THEY SHALL INCLUDE 4PS- RELATED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN THEIR BUDGET ALLOCATION THROUGH THE ANNUAL INVESTMENT PLAN, COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, AND LOCAL POVERTY REDUCTION ACTION PLAN TO COMPLEMENT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 4PS PROGRAM."

SEC. 19. All succeeding sections of the same Act are renumbered accordingly.

SEC. 20. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall

be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DSWD and other concerned agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government units may set aside from any available local revenue an amount deemed appropriate for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months after the effectivity

of this Act, the DSWD shall, in consultation with concerned stakeholders and other government agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 22. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be found unconstitutional

by a court of law, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of this Act, and such action shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Act.

SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, resolutions, orders

or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 24. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,