INSPIRED by the thriving livelihood measures of other countries, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said under their leadership, a “better and bolder” Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program will be implemented.

In an interview with The PUNCH after their proclamation rally in Tondo, Senator Cayetano said the 4Ps of a Duterte-Cayetano administration will be modified from being a mere dole-out to providing a lending facility for beneficiaries who want opportunities to help themselves by opening a small business.

“Katulad po ito ng sa Thailand. Magkakaroon ng bangko para sa mahihirap na negosyante,” he added.

The senator cited the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank), which provides loans, counseling, and other services to SMEs, that help promote their growth.

The tandem also wants to expand the CCT program to include a livelihood component, where beneficiaries are given access to capital to start their own small businesses.

“Many people depend on this program. We have to expand it. Para may tunay na pagbabago,” Mayor Duterte said.

The duo said despite government’s massive allocation of funds for anti-poverty measures like 4Ps, about 50 percent of Filipinos still feel left behind. A 2015 SWS survey showed that around 11.2 million families consider themselves poor.

“If we want to end disorder brought by the lack of jobs and low income, we need to give people the chance to stand on their own feet,” Cayetano ended. #

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