Expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -2 P5:14 First Regular Session SENATE S. No. 31 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson EXPANDING THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11310, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE Social protection programs are foundational in the national development policy, addressing perennial, slow-to-decline poverty, high levels of inequality, and significant risks and vulnerabilities. Over the years, social protection has evolved into a broad array of programs and measures across four (4) primary components: social assistance, labor market interventions, social insurance, and social safety nets. The most recent inventory accounted for more than sixty (60) Social Protection programs' delivered by various government agencies, excluding services established and delivered by the local government units. One of these is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps or Pantawid), which stands as the flagship national social protection program of the Philippines, providing monthly conditional cash transfers (CCT) to targeted poor household beneficiaries. It is recognized as the world's fourth-largest CCT program based on 'DSWD, Social Protection Plan 2023-2028

population coverage,? and ranks among the world's best programs in terms of successfully targeting the poor. 3 Aside from the 4Ps, which comprehensively covered the poorest of the poor, the government has implemented smaller programs that provide both in-kind and cash benefits, designed to meet numerous social protection goals. Among these are cash transfers to mitigate inflationary effects such as the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP); stop-gap mechanism to support families in crisis or difficult situations such in the case of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS); emergency employment packages under Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD); and monetary food augmentation to families experiencing involuntary hunger due to extreme poverty under Food STAMP (Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program) or Walang Gutom program, to name a few. The government's priority and focus for social assistance and interventions take precedence over time. These become very evident in the rise of newly created, provisional programs and increasing levels of government spending. With the unprecedented expansion of ayuda programs, critics have branded us the moniker "ayuda nation" (referring to heavy dependence on social amelioration). Pressing concerns have been raised regarding the potential of various dole-outs to foster dependency and, even worse, serve as a political tool that promotes the entrenchment of the culture of mendicancy. Ayuda, misappropriated as instruments of patronage, has been wrongly construed to come from politicians' pockets rather than from the tax and non-tax revenues of our nation. 2 World Bank Group (2017) FAQs about the Pantawid pamilyang Pilipino program (4PS), World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/brief/faqs-about-the-pantawid-pamilyang-pilipino- program (Accessed: 21 June 2025) 3 World Bank Group (2018). Philippines: Social Protection Review and Assessment

The ever-changing landscape for social protection has created overlaps, duplication, and fragmentation. As cited under the Social Protection Plan 2023-2028, major programs and services indicated significant overlaps/duplication: a) social assistance, either cash subsidies or in-kind; b) livelihood or income-generating programs, including emergency/temporary employment; and c) skills training or capacity building. 4 These overlaps and duplications breed potential for misuse, fraud, or errors to the disadvantage of the target poor and marginalized beneficiaries. More so, the middle-income class population, who are equally vulnerable to risks and economic shocks, are found to lack adequate protection and inclusion in risk insurance programs of the government.5 The lack of access to and the restrictive nature of social protection programs for the middle class, from both formal and informal economies, make them more vulnerable to shocks, thereby increasing the risk of pushing them below the poverty threshold. Government resources are limited. Hence, prudence, efficiency, and responsiveness are crucial to ensure delivery of social protection within our means and on the right priorities. This bill hence seeks to expand the 4Ps law to ensure a coherent, unified, and harmonized national strategy for social protection programs and ayuda. Under the bill, a new pillar known as the "Pantawid Pag-Asa" will be created for the convergence and complementation of social protection programs across government agencies and instrumentalities. It is distinct but complementary to the regular conditional cash transfer already being implemented under the existing law. Social amelioration programs namely AKAP, AICS, TUPAD and Food STAMP or projects of similar nature and purpose to be created henceforth shall be consolidated, funded, and implemented through the Pantawid Pag-Asa program. This 4 The Social Protection Plan, 2023-2028 5 World Bank (2018), ibid.,

seeks to simplify all ayuda programs, thereby eliminating those that are redundant and overlapping, and restricting the arbitrary and discretionary creation of new programs. "Pantawid Pag-Asa" is an integral support program of the 4Ps for qualified beneficiaries, whether poor or not, who are experiencing hardships due to vulnerabilities from hazards, sudden loss of income, economic shocks, and other emergencies. The bill also penalizes political exploitation and manipulation of the programs in any shape or form. To ensure the proper implementation, monitoring and evaluation, institutional support through the creation of crisis intervention measures will be in place. A key provision is the standardized social protection database. This includes a unified targeting system and monitoring policy for all social protection programs to provide effective coverage and accountability mechanisms. By institutionalizing evidence-based planning and development of programs, we will maximize benefits for the poor and eradicate political opportunism in the distribution of social protection programs. Fundamentally, we will minimize wastage of resources by ensuring that only those who are deserving benefit from social protection programs. For the government to steer the country into social and economic transformation, our progress shall be attributed to strategic, complementary, and coherent social protection programs that effectively and sustainably strengthen the capabilities of Filipinos. It is for this purpose that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. PANFRIA. LACSON Senator

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P5:14 SENATE S. No. 31 RECD/3321 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson EXPANDING THE PANTAWID PAMIYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4PS), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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 "EXPANDED

2 PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) ACT OF 2025".

Section 2. Sec. 2 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended to read as

4 follows: "SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies. - The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order thereby uplifting its citizens and marginallzed sectors from poverty, VULNERABILITY TO RISKS, AND CRISIS through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. XXX (g) Improve maternal health; [and] (h) Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all[-]; AND (I) PROMOTE SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AMONG FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS."

Sec. 3. Sec. 3 of Republic Act No. 11310 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 (A) ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATIONS (AICS) REFERS TO THE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (DSWD) THAT PROVIDES IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUTRIGHT CASH OR GUARANTEE LETTER TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CRISES SUCH AS ILLNESS, DEATH, DISPLACEMENT, CALAMITY, VIOLENCE, OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING URGENT SUPPORT. ASSISTANCE MAY COVER MEDICAL, FOOD, EDUCATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION, BURIAL, PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION, OR OTHER EMERGENCY NEEDS; [(a)] (B) Authorized Government Depository Banksrefer to banking institutions accredited and managed by government which is also categorized as government- owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) or government financial institution; (C) AYUDA SA KAPOS ANG KITA PROGRAM (AKAP) REFERS TO THE TARGETED SOCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT PROVIDES DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW THE APPLICABLE MINIMUM WAGE RATE AND WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION. THESE INCLUDE

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EMPLOYED IN THE FORMAL OR INFORMAL SECTOR, OR SELF- EMPLOYED, WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW THE APPLICABLE MINIMUM WAGE RATE. ((b)] (D) Case Management refers to a process used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to enable the household-beneficiaries OR INDIVIDUALS to improve their functioning by dealing with their difficulties specifically in complying with the terms of the program; [fe)] (E) Compliance Verification refers to the checking and monitoring undertaken to ensure that the qualified household-beneficiaries OR INDIVIDUALS comply with conditions for entitlement set forth by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PS) AND ITS EXPANDED PROGRAM; [fd)] (F) Conditional Cash Grantrefers to the amount received by the qualified household- beneficiaries OR INDIVIDUALS who comply with the conditions for entitlement; (G) FOOD PROVISION THROUGH STRATEGIC TRANSFER AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES PROGRAM (FOOD STAMP) REFERS TO DSWD'S MONETARY-BASED ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF AN ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) CARD THAT WILL BE LOADED WITH FOOD CREDITS TO PURCHASE A SELECT LIST OF FOOD COMMODITIES FROM PARTNER MERCHANT

STORE/S. THIS SEEKS TO DECREASE THE INCIDENCE OF INVOLUNTARY HUNGER EXPERIENCED BY LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND MAKE THEM PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTRY. [(e)] (H) Grantee refers to the most responsible adult member of the qualified household-beneficiary authorized to receive the conditional cash transfer OR INDIVIDUAL IN NEED OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT; [(9] (I) Grievance Redress Systemrefers to the mechanism of the DSWD which addresses and resolves issues and concerns related to the implementation of the Program; [(g)] (J) Health Facilityrefers to a barangay health station, rural health unit, barangay health center, infirmary or hospital; [(h)] (K) Institutionalization refers to making the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) AND ITS EXPANDED PROGRAM an added function of the DSWD and [a] regular programs funded from its annual appropriation; Hi)] (L) Poorrefers to households OR INDIVIDUALS whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food,

health, education, housing and other essential amenities of life; E) (M) Preventive Health Check-up refers to health and nutrition services comprising of complete immunization, deworming, growth and development monitoring, management of childhood diseases, malnutrition, and services for pregnant, lactating, and post-partum women; [(k)] (N) Qualified Household-Beneficiaries refer to households identified by the DSWD for entitlement to the monthly conditional cash grants as provided under

Section 6 of this Act;

((I)] (O) Responsible Person refers to the parent or guardian in the qualified household-beneficiary; E(m)] (P) Standardized Targeting System refers to a system for collectInG, PROCESSING, VALIDATING AND GENERATING DATA AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO SERVE AS THE BASIS IN TARGETING HOUSEHOLDS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE BUDGETING AND PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS; [identifying who and where the peef households are through the generation of socioeconomic database of poor households that is adopted by national government agencies and implemented by the DSWD; and]

((n)] (Q) 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. (R) TULONG PANGHANAPBUHAY SA ATING DISADVANTAGED WORKERS (TUPAD) REFERS TO THE COMMUNITY-BASED EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) THAT PROVIDES SAFETY NET THROUGH TEMPORARY WAGE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT FOR A PERIOD OF 10-90 DAYS TO VULNERABLE, MARGINALIZED AND DISPLACED INDIVIDUALS. xxX"

Sec. 4. Insert the following new sections after Section 13 of Republic Act No.

11310, which shall read as follows:

SEC. 14. PANTAWID PAG-ASA. - THE PANTAWID

PAG-ASA IS A RATIONALIZED SUPPORT PROGRAM OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps) AIMED AT PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS, REGARDLESS OF FORMAL POVERTY CLASSIFICATION, WHO ARE EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC DISTRESS DUE TO A CRISIS SITUATION, SUDDEN LOSS OF INCOME,

OR DISRUPTION OF NORMAL FUNCTIONING. THIS INCLUDES THOSE UNABLE TO MEET BASIC NEEDS OR ESSENTIAL EXPENDITURES-SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FOOD, SHELTER, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, OR UTILITIES- AS A RESULT OF LOW INCOME, DISPLACEMENT, ILLNESS, CALAMITY, OR OTHER FORMS OF SOCIOECONOMIC VULNERABILITY. ALL EXISTING SIMILAR SOCIAL AMELIORATION PROGRAMS OR "AYUDAS", SUCH AS AYUDA SA KAPOS ANG KITA PROGRAM (AKAP), ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS SITUATION (AICS) PROGRAM, TULONG PANGHANAPBUHAY SA ATING DISADVANTAGED/DISPLACED WORKERS (TUPAD) PROGRAM; FOOD STAMP (STRATEGIC TRANSFER AND ALTERNATIVE MEASURES PROGRAM), AND OTHER SIMILAR SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS SHALL BE CONSOLIDATED UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG- ASA.

SEC. 15. PANTAWID PAG-ASA COVERAGE. - A

FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL DETERMINED TO BE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL, FOOD, EDUCATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION, FUNERAL, DISABILITY SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND SUCH OTHER IMMEDIATE MATERIAL NEED THAT THE DSWD MAY DEEM ESSENTIAL AND URGENT.

SEC. 16.

PANTAWID PAG-ASA CASH ASSISTANCE TRANSFER. - THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS AND ALLOWABLE FREQUENCY OF ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH RELEVANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND THE MODE OF CASH TRANSFER AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER

SECTION 9 OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, THAT THE

SPECIFIC AMOUNTS SHALL BE FORMULATED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM), AND BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (PIDS), TAKING INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION, POVERTY THRESHOLDS, AND AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS: PROVIDED FURTHER, • THAT THE APPROVED CASH ASSISTANCE SHALL NOT BE LOWER THAN THOSE PROVIDED UNDER EXISTING LAWS AND GUIDELINES: PROVIDED FINALLY, THAT THE CASH-TRANSFER SHALL BE MADE WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER THE SUBMISSION OF THE COMPLETE DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION THEREOF BY THE DSWD SOCIAL WORKER. NO PAYOUTS IN CASH IN OFF- SITE VENUES NOR PAYOUTS IN GROUPS SHALL BE MADE.

SEC. 17. PANTAWID PAG-ASA DOCUMENTARY

REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION. - THE DSWD SHALL ISSUE A STANDARD LIST OF

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO ACCESS ASSISTANCE UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA PROGRAM. THE PHILIPPINE IDENTIFICATION CARD (PHILID) SHALL BE USED AS THE PRIMARY MEANS OF ESTABLISHING THE IDENTITY OF THE APPLICANT. PROVIDED, THAT IF THE PHILID IS NOT AVAILABLE, ANY VALID GOVERNMENT- ISSUED IDENTIFICATION MAY BE ACCEPTED. PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES, SUCH AS NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTERS WHERE THE APPLICANT CANNOT PRESENT VALID IDENTIFICATION, THE DSWD SHALL TAKE A PHOTO OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND PREPARE A REPORT EXPLAINING THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND REASONS FOR THE ABSENCE OF PROPER IDENTIFICATION. TO ENSURE PROPER VERIFICATION AND RECORD INTEGRITY, THE CORRESPONDING PHILSYS CARD NUMBER (PCN) SHALL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE DSWD'S IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND BENEFICIARY DATABASE. THE PRESENTATION OF THE PHILID SHALL BE REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL OR FUTURE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA PROGRAM. THE DSWD SHALL NOT REQUIRE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN ITS POSSESSION, WHETHER FROM PREVIOUS APPLICATIONS OR FROM THE INDIVIDUAL'S ENROLLMENT IN THE

4PS PROGRAM. INSTEAD, THE DSWD SHALL CROSS-CHECK EXISTING RECORDS WITH ANY NEW SUBMISSIONS TO AVOID DUPLICATION. TO MAKE THE APPLICATION PROCESS EASIER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE, THE DSWD SHALL ESTABLISH A SIMPLE, DIGITAL, AND ONLINE SYSTEM FOR APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA PROGRAM.

SEC. 18. SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL PROTECTION. -

PANTAWID PAG-ASA IS A BRIDGE PROGRAM TO ASSIST CRISIS-AFFECTED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AND HELP DEVELOP BASIC CAPACITIES TO MEET FUTURE NEEDS AND IMPROVE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. TOWARD THIS END, THE DSWD IS MANDATED TO BUILD CAPACITY AND ADAPTABILITY AND EXPAND FAMILIES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND HARDSHIP. FOR THIS PURPOSE, PANTAWID PAG-ASA BENEFICIARIES SHALL ALSO BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN THE AVAILMENT OF LIVELIHOOD INTERVENTIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THIS ACT.

SEC. 19. PROHIBITION AGAINST POLITICAL

EXPLOITATION AND MANIPULATION. - THE ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA PROGRAM SHALL BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE GENUINE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY SEEKING SUPPORT.

NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE SHALL INFLUENCE, OR REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS HAVING INFLUENCE OVER ANY PART OF THE PROGRAM'S IMPLEMENTATION. IN LIKE MANNER, NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE SHALL ENDORSE, IN WHATEVER FORM, ANY INDIVIDUAL TO BE INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM THE PROGRAM. EXCEPT FOR AUTHORIZED DSWD PERSONNEL, NO OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE OF THE GOVERNMENT SHALL PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSFER OF CASH ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS NOR ISSUE GUARANTEE LETTERS. THE DSWD SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED IS EXPLICITLY IDENTIFIED AS SOURCED FROM TAXPAYERS' MONEY, REGARDLESS OF THE MODE OF TRANSFER. NO PUBLIC OFFICIAL SHALL CLAIM THAT FUNDS WERE PROVIDED BY HIM/HER OR APPROPRIATED THROUGH HIS/HER EFFORTS. ANY PERSON WHO SHALL VIOLATE THIS PROVISION SHALL SUFFER THE PENALTY OF PERPETUAL ABSOLUTE DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.

SEC. 20. SOCIAL PROTECTION DATABASE. - THE

DSWD SHALL MAINTAIN A CENTRALIZED DATABASE OF ALL SOCIAL PROTECTION INCLUDING 4PS AND ITS PROGRAMS, PANTAWID PAG-ASA SUPPORT PROGRAM, AND

THE BENEFICIARIES. THE PCN OF THE INDIVIDUAL BENEFICIARIES SHALL BE USED AS THE REFERENCE NUMBER IN THE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND DATABASE. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012, THE DSWD SHALL INSTITUTIONALIZE A MECHANISM FOR REAL- TIME DATA SHARING WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH), DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA), DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE), COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) TECHNICAL AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA), AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS) TO IDENTIFY ASSISTANCE NEEDED, ADDRESS GAPS, DETERMINE THE FUNDING REQUIREMENT, AND PREVENT POSSIBLE ABUSE AND FRAUD.

SEC. 21. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT. - TO

ENSURE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SERVICES, THERE SHALL EXIST A CRISIS INTERVENTION OFFICE (CIO) AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE, CRISIS INTERVENTION DIVISIONS AT THE FIELD OFFICES, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION UNITS AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT SATELLITE OFFICES OF THE DSWD THAT SHALL ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED, MONITORED, AND EVALUATED NATIONWIDE. THE SECRETARY OF

THE DSWD, IN COORDINATION WITH THE CIO DIRECTOR AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE AND REGIONAL OFFICES, SHALL DETERMINE THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS REQUIRED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVISED COMPENSATION AND POSITION CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM SUBJECT TO THE EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF THE DBM AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND OTHER PERTINENT LAWS.

SEC. 22. CONSOLIDATION AND FUNDING OF

AYUDA PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. CONSISTENT WITH THE MANDATE OF THE DSWD TO PROVIDE AN INTEGRATED WELFARE PACKAGE THAT CONSTITUTES STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS LEADING TO LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT OF THE LIVES OF TARGET BENEFICIARIES, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS CONCERNING SOCIAL AMELIORATION OR OF SIMILAR NATURE AND PURPOSE TO "AYUDA" THAT ARE HEREAFTER ESTABLISHED SHALL BE CONSOLIDATED, FUNDED, AND IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA PROGRAM: PROVIDED, THAT ALL AYUDA PROJECTS SHALL STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE APPLICABLE GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS TO BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND ORDERLY TRANSITION IN THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA, THE DSWD, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS OR AGENCIES AFFECTED, SHALL FORMULATE A TRANSITION PLAN WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT. THE PLAN SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE PHASED TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS AS WELL AS THE PROGRAM COMPONENTS. PROVIDED, THAT ASSISTANCE TO EXISTING BENEFICIARIES SHALL CONTINUE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, SUBJECT TO UNIFIED GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Sec. 5. All succeeding sections of Republic Act No. 11310 are renumbered

accordingly.

Sec. 6. Sec. 17 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended and renumbered

as Section 26 to read as follows: SEC. [17] 26. Regular Monitoring. - The DSWD shall monitor the implementation of the program and report its status [at least once every three (3) years] ANNUALLY in order to ensure the attainment of the goals [enumerated in Section 2 of] OF THE 4PS AND THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA UNDER this Act to the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines.

Sec. 7. Sec. 18 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended and renumbered

as Section 27 to read as follows: SEC. [18] 27. Report of the Program. - The DSWD shall annually publish a full report of the 4Ps AND THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA covering the implementation of

the previous fiscal year. The said report shall include financial disclosures, number of households included in NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND the 4Ps, INDIVIDUALS ASSISTED UNDER THE PANTAWID PAG-ASA and recommendations to the Advisory Council, the President and to both chambers of Congress on how to further enhance it. This report shall be submitted to Congress before the submission of the President's Budget Message.

Sec. 8. Sec. 20 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended and renumbered

as Section 29 to read as follows: SEC.[20]29. Program Transparency. - [The] NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THE DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012, THE DSWD shall regularly and timely post and update on its website a report of financial disclosures and information about beneficiaries based on geographical area, social, economic and cultural circumstances. THE SECRETARY OF THE DSWD SHALL BE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGULAR POSTING AND UPDATING OF THE REPORT ON ITS WEBSITE

Sec. 9. Sec. 21 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended and renumbered

as Section 30 to read as follows: SEC. [21] 30. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, a Congressional Oversight Committee, hereafter referred to as the 4Ps AND PANTAWID PAG-ASA Oversight Committee, is hereby constituted. This Committee shall set the overall framework to review the implementation of this Act. It shall likewise determine inherent weaknesses in the law and recommend necessary remedial legislation or executive measures.

xxx For purposes of determining remedial legislation, the 4Ps AND PANTAWID PAG-ASA Oversight Committee shall, [within] EVERY three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, conduct a [sunset] review which shall include a systematic evaluation of the impact of this Act, accomplishments of the program, and the performance of its implementing agencies.

Sec. 10. Sec. 24 of Republic Act No. 11310 is hereby amended and renumbered

as Section 33 to read as follows: SEC. [24.] 33. 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 INDIVIDUALS OR 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 (PI0,000.00) 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[.], EXCEPT WHEN THE ACT FALLS UNDER

SECTION 19 OF THIS ACT, IN WHICH CASE

PERPETUAL ABSOLUTE DISQUALIFICATION SHALL APPLY. Administrative sanctions shall be imposed without prejudice to prosecution in the proper courts.

Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the

effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD shall, in coordination with appropriate government departments and agencies with the participation of the local government units, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,