International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]

https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.62.2 ISSN: 2454-1311

Assessment on the allocation of Cash Grants of

4Ps beneficiaries to their daily Expenditures
Fhrizz S. De Jesus, MBA, LPT; Rommel R. Rivera, MBA
Abstract— This study aims to determine where the 4Ps beneficiaries allocate the cash grants they receive from the
government on their daily expenditures in terms of Education, Food, Transportation, Clothing, Entertainment, and
Other bills. This study was conducted on seventeen barangays of Laur, Nueva Ecija with total number of 337 4Ps
beneficiaries as respondents. Descriptive research was used through the survey questionnaire and interviews to
answer the research problem. Based from the result, the education was highly prioritized. The researchers
formulated a recommendation that may help 4Ps beneficiaries on spending their grants.
Keywords— Cash Grants, daily Expenditures, 4Ps beneficiaries.

I. INTRODUCTION Philippines’ version of the CCT is the Pantawid Pamilyang

According to Casco, Lam, Lumantas, and Magno (2015), Pilipino Program (hereinafter referred as Pantawid). As
The Philippine government implemented the Pantawid mentioned in studylib.net, it has two goals: (1) alleviation of
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and patterned it after Latin immediate income poverty (social assistance), and (2) break
American conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, with the the intergenerational cycle of poverty through human capital
goals of poverty reduction and social development. Pantawid investments and nutrition (social development). It targets the
Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also known as 4Ps and formerly “poorest of the poor” in the country, and as beneficiaries,
Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino, is a Conditional Cash Transfer they receive a monthly cash grant of PhP 500 for health
program of the Philippine government under the Department expenses, and PhP300 per school child member in
of Social Welfare and Development. elementary school or PhP 500 if the child is in high school
Frufonga (2016), mentioned that one factor that is associated (maximum of three children) (Pantawid.dswd.gov.ph). The
to the health status of an individual is poverty. According to program was formally launched in 2008 with 360,000
the study of Institute of Family Life and Children’s Studies - household recipients; by 2015, the number of beneficiaries
Philippine Women’s University (October 26, 2016), it aims was 4.4 million. The latest evaluations of the Pantawid show
to eradicate extreme poverty in the Philippines by investing its positive impact on the concerns directly targeted by the
in health and education particularly in age 0-14.It is patterned conditionality i.e. in children’s education (there is an
on programs in other developing countries like Brazil (Bolsa increased enrolment rate in primary schools in the Pantawid
Familia) and Mexico (Oportunidades). communities) and health (more mothers are going to health
As extracted from the official website of Pantawid centers for professional maternal health services and health
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid.dswd.gov.ph), the guidance in general, more children are receiving vaccines
4Ps program now operates in 17 regions, 79 provinces and and regular de-worming, the household has increased their
1,484 municipalities and 143 key cities covering 4,876,123 food intake). Based from Flores, Espinoza, Enrico, and
poor households nationwide as of December 31, 2018. Casimiro (2015), it is therefore recommended that the scope
According to the study of Institute of Family Life and of the program be extended especially that two years have
Children’s Studies - Philippine Women’s University been added to the secondary education. However, there is a
(October 26, 2016), conditional cash transfers (CCT) are need to assess changes beyond the compliance of households
essentially providing financial incentives or resources to to the Pantawid conditionality and how the positive impact of
underprivileged families in exchange for their agreements to the program be sustained after its beneficiaries have
a set of conditions aimed at cultivating their capacities. More “graduated” from the program. It is noted that one of the
often than not, the conditionality is linked to education and goals of the conditional cash handover program is to break
health outcomes to address the chronic poverty of the the intergenerational series of poverty. Thus it is even more
household. As extracted from (Pantawid.dswd.gov.ph), The vital that the positive changes resulting from the program

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.62.2 ISSN: 2454-1311

should not be dependent on the cash grant currently being The instrument was formulated in the modified 4-point likert
received, rather it is because the beneficiaries are already scale ranging from always (4), sometimes (3), seldom (2),
empowered to create environments, whether within their never (1). Respondents were then instructed to rate the
households or in their community, where their rights to statements and answer the questions.
education, health, and development are realized. The data collected from the locale were encoded, tallied and
analyzed using the following statistical tools were used. Data
The purpose of this study is to find out where the 4Ps presentation of the given scale was used to interpret the
beneficiaries commonly used the cash grants they receive results of the information gathered:
from the government on their daily and other expenditures. To determine the respondents’ degree of perception, the
The researchers believe that the outcome of this study can be weighted mean was computed using the following formula:
helpful for 4Ps beneficiaries and the government. Weighted mean (ƩWM) is equal to total weighted frequency
(ƩWF) divided by the total number of cases (F).
II. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROBLEM The percentage frequency distribution was computed using
This study was based on the study of Arnold Q. Malaluan, the formula: frequency (F) divided by the sample (N) and
Gleziel M. Malaluan, Regine T. Leyesa, Kathleen H. multiply by one hundred (100). The researchers used ranking
Malayba and Marissa H. Perez (2018) entitled “Financial to compare items to each other by placing them in order of
Priorities of 4p’s Beneficiaries: An Assessment Using First preferences.
Bucket Theory”.
This study attempted to describe and assess the allocation of IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
cash grants of 4ps beneficiaries to their daily expenditures. According to the gathered data:
Specifically, the study sought to answers the following: Table 1. Demographic Profile according to Sex

1. How may the demographic profile be described in terms PROFILE VARIABLE F %

of: SEX
 Sex MALE 82 24%
 Age FEMALE 255 76%
 Number of dependents
 Amount of Grants Received Table 1 shows Distribution of the respondents according to
 Number of Pantawid children in Household Sex. Most of the respondents were Female with a number of
 Educational Attainment 255 or 76% compared to just 82 or 24% of the Male
2. How does the cash grant helped the daily expenditures of respondents.
the family in terms of: Male were supposed to be the beneficiary of the cash grants
 Education because they were the head of the family. But since they
 Food spent more of their time on working, they were rarely present
 Transportation on attending the Family Development Session (FDS), an
 Clothing activity where all the beneficiaries must be present or else the
 Entertainment cash grants to be received will be deducted. So they
 Other Bills transferred the honors to female beneficiaries knowing that
they were usually staying on their houses.
III. METHODOLOGY Table 2.Demographic Profile according to Age
The study used descriptive method to determine how the Age Frequency Percentage
allocation of cash grants of 4Ps beneficiaries of Laur, Nueva 21 – 30 28 8%
Ecija were affected by their personal profile. 31 – 40 120 36%
The research instrument used was survey method and 41 – 50 119 35%
interview, wherein respondents answered questions 51 YEARS
70 21%
administered through questionnaires and interviews. OLD ABOVE

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.62.2 ISSN: 2454-1311

Table 2 shows Distribution of the respondents according to the total sample having two (2) Pantawid children and 95
Age. Most of the respondents were ages 31-40 years old with respondents or 28% of the total samples have only one (1)
a number of 120 or 36% of the sample, not too far from the Pantawid child.
respondents aged 41-50 years old with a number of 119 or Three (3) children per 4Ps beneficiary only were eligible to
35% of the samples. receive additional Php300 educational assistance for
31-40 and 41-50 years old were the common age of having a elementary and Php 500 educational assistance for high
family wherein the children were all studying and must have school, in which it affected the amount of grants they
a stable financial support in terms of education. received.
Table 3. Demographic Profile according to Number of Table 6. Demographic Profile according to Educational
Dependents Attainment
Number of Dependents Frequency Percentage Educational Attainment Frequency Percentage
1–3 128 38%
ELEMENTARY 52 15%
4–6 146 43%
UNDERGRADUATE
7 ABOVE 63 19%
ELEMENTARY 52 15%
Table 3 shows Distribution of the respondents according to
GRADUATE
Number of Dependents. Most of the respondents have 4-6
HIGH SCHOOL 107 32%
dependents with a number of 146 or 43% of the total sample.
UNDERGRADUATE
Dependents were those aged under 16 years old living with at
HIGH SCHOOL 107 32%
least one parent, or aged 16 to 18 in full-time education,
GRADUATE
excluding all children who have spouse, partner or child
COLLEGE 11 4%
living in the household.
UNDERGRADUATE
Table 4. Demographic Profile according to Amount Received COLLEGE GRADUATE 8 2%
Amounts Receive Frequency Percentage
Php1,000 – 2,500 77 23% Table 6 show Distribution of the respondents according to
Php2,501 – 4,000 their Educational Attainment. In terms of educational
84 25%
attainment, Elementary Undergraduate and Elementary
Php4,001 ABOVE 176 52% Graduate respondents were with the same number of 52 or
Table 4 shows distribution of the respondents according the 15% of the total sample, as well as the High School
Amounts Receive. When it comes to the amounts of grants Undergraduate and High School Graduate respondents
received, 176 respondents or 52% of the total samples were having the same number of 107 respondents or 32% of the
receiving Php4,001 and above of cash grants. total sample. College Undergraduate respondents were only
Amount of grants received was based accordingly to how 11 or 4% of the total sample and College Graduate
many benefited children studying there in 4Ps family. respondents having only 8 or 2% of the samples.
Another factor is the interval of date that the cash grants will Some respondents were dropped out for higher education.
be given (i.e. every 2 months, every 3 months.) These may be due to individual issues or a mix of problems
Table 5. Demographic Profile according to the Number of like financial problems, poor life preparation, they were
Pantawid Children undecided, conflict with work and family commitments and
Number of Frequency Percentage lack of support.
Pantawid Children TABLE 7 shows the allocation of cash grants for Education.
1 95 28% The Students Daily Allowance ranked at number 1 with 3.67
2 105 31% weighted mean, followed by School Uniform at number 2
3 137 41% with 3.58 weighted mean, School Supplies at number 3 with
Table 5 shows distribution of the respondents according to 3.55 weighted mean, School Projects at number 4 with 3.40
the Number of their Pantawid Children. 137 respondents or weighted mean, PTA Contribution at number 5 with 3.40
41% of the total sample have three (3) benefited children or weighted mean and School Donations at number 6 with 3.28
Pantawid children, followed by 105 respondents or 31% of weighted mean.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.62.2 ISSN: 2454-1311

The 4Ps beneficiaries highly prioritized the education of the 2.63. Foods were the basic necessity of every family. The
children because it was the main purpose of the cash grants above mentioned items were the basic foods that some
from the government. It was found out that the cash grants families were afford to purchase.
they received is always allocated at the above mentioned
items with a composite mean of 3.48. Table 9.Allocation of cash grants with regards to
Transportation
Table 7.Allocation of cash grants with regards to Education INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK
INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK TRICYCLE 2.55 SOMETIMES 1
SCHOOL 3.58 ALWAYS 2 FARES
UNIFORM JEEPNEY 2.46 SELDOM 2
SCHOOL 3.55 ALWAYS 3 FARES
SUPPLIES BUS FARES 2.35 SELDOM 3
SCHOOL 3.28 ALWAYS 6 COMPOSITE 2.45 SELDOM
DONATIONS MEAN
STUDENT’S 3.67 ALWAYS 1 TABLE 9 shows the allocation of cash grants on
DAILY Transportation. It was revealed that in general, respondents
ALLOWANCE seldom spent their cash grants on transportation with a
SCHOOL 3.40 ALWAYS 4 composite mean of 2.45.
PROJECTS Tricycle fares were ranked at number 1 with 2.55 weighted
mean, Jeepney Fares gained a weighted mean of 2.46 and
PTA 3.40 ALWAYS 5
ranked at number 2 and Bus Fares were on the least as it
CONTRIBUTION
ranked number 3 with 2.35 weighted mean.
COMPOSITE 3.48 ALWAYS
Some Barangays of Laur, Nueva Ecija are not reachable by
MEAN
Jeepneys and buses and they sometimes allocated their cash
grants on tricycle fares. Most of the respondents have their
Table 8. Allocation of Cash Grants with regards to Food own transportation vehicle used for nearby places only.
INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK Table 10.Allocation of Cash Grants with regards to Clothing
RICE 3.02 SOMETIMES 1 INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK
LEAN MEAT 2.51 SOMETIMES 4 BUYING NEW 2.27 SELDOM 1
POULTRY 2.50 SELDOM 5 CLOTHES
SEA FOOD 2.41 SELDOM 6
CANNED 2.72 SOMETIMES 3 BUYING 1.70 NEVER 3
GOODS BRANDED
VEGETABLES 2.84 SOMETIMES 2 CLOTHES
FRUITS 2.38 SOMETIMES 7 BUYING 2.14 SELDOM 2
CLOTHES FOR
COMPOSITE 2.63 SOMETIMES
FAMILY
MEAN
TABLE 8 shows the allocation of cash grants on Food. Rice COMPOSITE 2.04 SELDOM
was ranked number 1 with 3.02 weighted mean, followed by MEAN
Vegetables at number 2 with 2.51 weighted mean, canned
good at number 3 with 2.72 weighted mean, lean meat was Table 10 shows the allocation of cash grants on clothing.
ranked at number 4 with 2.51 weighted mean, poultry has a Respondents were seldom allocating their cash grants on
weighted mean of 2.50 and was ranked at number 5, sea food buying new clothes as it gains 2.27 weighted mean and
was ranked at number 6 with 2.41 weighted mean and fruits ranked at number 1, seldom in buying clothes for their family
was ranked at number 7 with 2.38 weighted mean. with a weighted mean of 2.14 and ranked at number 2 and
It was found out that most of the respondents sometimes they never buy branded clothes as it gains a weighted mean
allocated their cash grants on food with a composite mean of of 1.70 and was ranked at number 3.

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaems.62.2 ISSN: 2454-1311

Some respondents stated that they buy clothes if their weighted mean and House Rentals ranked at number 4 with
children request for it. Occasionally, as long as their clothes 1.52 weighted mean.
were presentable and decent, there is no need for them to buy Some respondents were seldom allocating their cash grants
a new one. on water bills because not all the barangays in Laur Nueva
Table 11. Allocation of cash grants with regards to Ecija have potable water line. Most respondents were
Entertainment seldom allocating their cash grants on Bills because they
INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK were rarely using it every day.
SHOPPING 2.00 SELDOM 2
RECREATIONAL 2.03 SELDOM 1 Table 13. Summary of Allocation of Cash Grants
ACTIVITIES INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK
FAMILY OUTING 1.87 SELDOM 3 EDUCATION 3.48 ALWAYS 1

FAMILY 1.76 SELDOM 4 FOOD 2.63 SOMETIMES 2

VACATION
VISITING THEME 1.76 SELDOM 5 TRANSPORTATION 2.45 SELDOM 3
PARK
COMPOSITE 1.87 SELDOM CLOTHING 2.32 SELDOM 4
MEAN
Table 11 shows the allocation of cash grants on ENTERTAINMENG 1.87 SELDOM 6
entertainment.
Respondents were seldom allocating their cash grants on OTHER BILLS 2.02 SELDOM 5
Recreational Activities ranked at number 1 with 2.03
weighted mean, Shopping ranked at number 2 with 2.00
The researchers concluded that the cash grants were always
weighted mean, Family Outing ranked at number 3 with 1.87
allocated as follows:
weighted mean, Family Vacation ranked at number 4 with
a) For Education with a composite mean of 3.48, in
1.76 weighted mean and the least was Visiting Theme Park
which Students Daily Allowance being highly
ranked at number 5 with 1.76 weighted mean.
prioritized with a weighted mean of 3.67.
In general, the respondents seldom allocated their cash grants
b) Food gained a composite mean of 2.63, Rice was
on the above mentioned items with a composite mean of
prioritized with a weighted mean of 3.02.
1.87. This means that the respondents are seldom
c) As to Transportation that gained a composite mean
entertaining themselves using the cash grants.
of 2.45, Tricycle fared were prioritized with a
Table 12.Allocation of Cash Grants with regards to Bills
weighted mean of 2.55.
INDICATORS WM DESCRIPTION RANK
d) As to clothing that gained a composite mean of
WATER BILLS 2.27 SELDOM 2
2.04, Buying New Clothes were slightly prioritized
with a weighted mean of 2.27.
ELECTRICITY 1.98 SELDOM 3
e) As to entertainment that gained a composite mean
BILLS
of 1.87, Recreational Activities were slightly
HOUSE 1.52 NEVER 4
prioritized with a weighted mean of 2.03.
RENTALS
f) As to bills that gained a composite mean of 2.02,
CELLULAR 2.32 SOMETIMES 1
Water Bills were prioritized with a weighted mean
LOADS
of 2.27.
COMPOSITE 2.02 SELDOM Based from the findings and conclusions presented, the
MEAN following are the recommendations:
Table 12 shows the allocation of cash grants on Bills. Government/Local Government Unit (LGU)
Cellular Loads were ranked at number 1 with 2.32 weighted 1. The Government should search for more poor qualified
mean, Water Bills ranked at number 2 with 2.27 weighted families to be their beneficiaries especially those family
mean, Electricity Bills ranked at number 3 with 1.98

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science (IJAEMS) [Vol-6, Issue-2, Feb-2020]
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living in far places who has limited accessibility with [2] “Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Philippines – Improving
other benefits from the government. the Human Capital of the Poor (PantawidPamilyang Pilipino
2. The government should provide financial education on Program or 4Ps)” (PDF) Retrieve – 2012-10-28
[3] Institute of Family Life and Children’s Studies – Philippine
the 4Ps beneficiaries for them to be more knowledgeable
Women’s University Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila “Beyond
on how to budget their cash grants.
Compliance a Look into the Behavioral and Social Outcomes
3. The national government should work hand-in-hand of the Pantawid Pilipinong Pamilya Program” Retrieve –
together with the barangay officials for monitoring and 2016-10-6
coaching of the 4Ps Beneficiaries. [4] Malaluan,Arnold Q.,Malaluan, Gleziel M., Layesa, Regine
T., Malayba, Kathleen H., and Perez, Marisa H., Batangas
Brgy. Officials State University Lipa City Campus, Brgy. Marawoy, Lipa
1. The Brgy. Officials should have a Livelihood City, Philippines, Financial Priorities of 4p’s Beneficiaries:
Programs and Activities for 4Ps families to help An Assessment Using First Bucket Theory
[5] Flores MJ, S., Espinoza CA, B, Enrico H, C, and Casimiro R,
them have an extra income and not just to be a
R. (2015), PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps): Its
dependent on the subsidy.
Effect on the Academic Performance of Student-Beneficiaries
4Ps Beneficiaries in Calaba National High School in the Philippines
1. 1. The 4Ps beneficiaries must keep their children in [6] Casco J.J.M., L, Lam J.J., L, Lumantas K.J., V.and Magno
school to continuously receive the cash grants from J.E., C. (2015) ,The Impact of PantawidPamilyang Pilipino
the government. Program on Civic Engagement: A Propensity Score Matching
2. 2. The 4Ps beneficiaries should allocate their cash Approach
grants on important needs only such on education [7] Frufonga R. F, 2016, The PantawidPamilyang Pilipino
and food. Cash grant management should be thought Program (4Ps) in Iloilo, Philippines: An Evaluation
[8] https://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/
to them so that proper allocation will be practiced, a
[9] https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-release/nid/53187
financial education program might help them.
3. 3. The 4Ps beneficiaries should also find alternative
source of income to continuously provide other needs
of their family.
Researchers
1. For the future researchers, they should conduct a
further study to have a wide knowledge and understanding
about this topic.
2. The future researchers can use this study as guide
in the establishments of other researchers related to the topic
stated.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The researchers would like to thank their colleagues and
students from NEUST who provided vision and proficiency
that greatly assisted the researchers, furthermore, the
researchers would like to thank their families who provided
so much provision and understanding in completion of this
research paper.

REFERENCES
[1] “Malacanang happy over success of PantawidPamilyang
Pilipino Program” Retrieve – 2012-10-28

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