- Duterte slammed opponents who say he’ll stop 4Ps if he becomes president
- He said it’s a gov’t program funded by the people, cannot be stopped by any politician
- He also promised to expand it by including a free monthly sack of rice for beneficiaries
MANILA, Philippines – He’ll continue it.
Allaying fears he’ll discontinue the government’s 4Ps, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured beneficiaries the social program will continue and even be expanded under him.
“Don’t worry that 4Ps will stop. It will continue under a Duterte presidency,” GMA News quoted him as telling supporters at a sortie in Catanauan, Quezon on Wednesday, March 30.
According to Duterte, he will even expand the program by adding a monthly sack of rice for each beneficiary aside from the cash they receive. The extra expenses will be taken from sin taxes and funds from the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation.
He also blasted foes who are spreading reports he will discontinue 4Ps, saying the program is funded by money belonging to the public, not politicians.
“Who are you to stop a program that benefits underprivileged Filipinos?” he asked.
Aside from the rice stipend, Duterte had previously vowed to incorporate livelihood programs into 4Ps to enable beneficiaries to become self-sufficient.
Among such programs being envisioned are the addition of micro-lending and assistance in forming small and medium business enterprises.
“Many people depend on this program. We have to expand it. Para may tunay na pagbabago [So there can be real change],” he said.
Camps belonging to the administration have been accused by opponents of scaring constituents into voting Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas on the pretext his rivals will discontinue the program which was first initiated by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Roxas’ camp have denied the charges and dismissed them as mere propaganda.
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