4Ps beneficiaries lead hike in school enrolment

ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the DSWD-6 led the school attendance among children, aged 6-14 years old, in Western Visayas, based on the report of the Department of Education 6 (DepEd-6).

In four years time that the 4Ps or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) has been implemented, DepEd-6 record showed that a total of 1,036,683 pupils are now enrolled in the elementary level, for school year 2013-2014, compared to 1,003,127 in school year 2010-2011.

DepEd-6 focal person for 4Ps, Dr. Melcho Kim Kwan, said total enrollees in 1st year and 2nd year high school, still covered by 4Ps, also increased this year with 131,983 and 123,195, respectively.

Western Visayas has 589,403 pre-schoolers, elementary pupils and high school students covered by 4Ps, who attended school as of March this year.

Of the number, Negros Occidental province got the most enrollees with 216,463, followed by Iloilo with 174,365; Capiz (72,500); Antique (57,156); Aklan (54,185); and Guimaras (14,734). (FREEMAN)