4Ps beneficiaries need to update profile

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Visayas (DSWD-7) are calling all Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries with pregnant members or children under ages zero to two under to update their profile.

This is in preparation for the rollout of the first 1,000 days cash grant which will start next year, 2025.

The beneficiaries should be able to fill out the Beneficiary Updating System (BUS) Form 5 that will be in their assigned 4Ps city/municipal links. They also need to provide documentary requirements such as birth certificate or health certificates, among others.

“We already started disseminating this information to our beneficiaries last month, and we need to ensure that no one will be left behind for this program milestone,” said DSWD-7 regional director Shalanie Marie Lucero.

The 4Ps beneficiaries are encouraged to visit their C/MLS before October 20, 2024.

Makabata Helpline

Meanwhile, the Interior Department has urged all local government units to support the Makabata Helpline, a mechanism developed by the Council for the Welfare of Children.

The helpline was created to assist children affected not only physically but also psychologically and/or mentally during the pandemic and evolved into a platform to report any form of violence, abuse, exploitation, psychosocial problems experienced by children.

Outgoing Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos issued a memorandum circular for all LGUs to make use of the Mahalin at Kalingain ang mga Bata (Makabata) helpline 1383.

In 2023, the Makabata Helpline integrated hotline 1383 to cater not only CSAC cases but to facilitate and refer all incidents of violence against children.

Last June 2024, the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Lucas P Bersamin then issued Presidential Directive which Institutionalizes the MAKABATA Helpline 1383.

The latest DILG Memorandum Circular “enjoin all local government units and DILG Regional and Field Offices to support the MAKABATA Helpline by promoting public awareness of the Helpline nationwide”.

As such, all LGUs along with the DILG Regional and Field Offices are expected to undertake activities to maximizes the promote of the program like displaying of posters and other related materials in government buildings and facilities.

Promotion of MAKABATA Helpline should also be done in official websites, electronic platforms. and other social media accounts, conduct of local radio or TV broadcasting, organize community assemblies or any related dialogues / events to discuss local situation of children, including the promotion of MAKABATA Helpline for reporting of incidents of violence against children. — (FREEMAN)