DSWD Increases 4Ps Cash Grant to ₱750 for Pregnant Women and Children

Memorandum Circular No. 10 and the Shift to ₱750

The DSWD officially implemented the grant increase under Memorandum Circular No. 10, Series of 2026. The policy raises the monthly stipend from the previous ₱350 to ₱750, specifically targeting the health and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable 4Ps households.

This adjustment follows a broader directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who, during a June 2024 sectoral meeting, ordered the DSWD and the National Economic and Development Authority to refine the program’s coverage. The goal is to bring more pregnant and lactating women into the system to combat malnutrition and stunting. As the Inquirer reported, the President emphasized the necessity of these adjustments to help families cope with inflation.

“Okay. Yes. Let’s do that. On the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, bring the mother, the family into the system. That’s really good.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., via PCO

Eligibility and Program Requirements

To receive the enhanced grant, beneficiaries must adhere to strict health-seeking behaviors. The DSWD requires participants to maintain regular prenatal and postnatal checkups, ensure delivery occurs in health facilities assisted by skilled professionals, and keep up with routine child health consultations and immunizations for children up to 24 months old. These conditions align with the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act, or Republic Act No. 11148.

The agency has urged active 4Ps members to update their status if they are pregnant or have recently given birth.

Strategic Objectives for Long-Term Poverty Reduction

The expansion of the F1KD grant is a central pillar of the government’s strategy to improve human development outcomes under the 4Ps Act. By focusing on the first 1,000 days—a period cited by the DSWD as critical for brain development and physical growth—the government intends to break the cycle of poverty. “If a child is healthy and well-educated, they are more likely to finish school and escape poverty,” Gabuya stated.

Beyond the F1KD initiative, the DSWD continues to manage other aid mechanisms. In January 2025, the department, in coordination with the Department of Tourism, launched the Bayanihan sa Bukas na Pag-asa sa Turismo program. While distinct from the 4Ps maternal grants, this program utilizes similar cash-for-work and cash-for-training models to support workers impacted by disasters, reflecting the government’s broader use of targeted financial assistance to bolster economic resilience across different sectors.

Assessment of Program Impact

The increase was finalized after internal assessments indicated that the former ₱350 monthly allotment was no longer sufficient to cover the rising costs of vitamins, medicines, and transportation for pregnant women. With over 180,000 beneficiaries expected to be reached nationwide in 2026, the DSWD views the move as a direct investment in the health of the next generation. As reported by GMA Network, the adjustment also serves as an incentive for beneficiaries to maintain higher compliance with the program’s health-related conditions.

Beneficiaries can access these payments through their Land Bank of the Philippines cash cards or registered electronic wallet accounts. The DSWD maintains that privacy and data security remain priorities throughout this process, with departmental privacy policies governing the management of all sensitive beneficiary information collected during enrollment and record updates.

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