By Paulo Loreto Lim

In a recent press conference, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announced Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries will begin receiving P600 rice subsidies this month from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“The additional rice subsidy allocated for the month of March has already totaled to P2.5 billion,” he said.
Abella also noted free medicine distributed to five regions, including Region VI, cost the government P8.2 million.
He said the programs are part of the commitment by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to alleviate poverty.
Last month, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) chairperson Liza Maza called for the phase-out of 4Ps, saying it does not reduce poverty and, instead, suggested “genuine agrarian reform and rural development.”/WDJ