MABINAY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — Due to misconception and religious beliefs, over 1,000 indigent families living in this town have rejected the Aquino government’s poverty alleviation program.

Dubbed the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Aileen Lariba, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) focal person for 4Ps in Central Visayas said, “We find it sad that despite our advocacy campaign on the benefits of the 4Ps, a number of families in Mabinay town refused to welcome the poverty reduction move of government which provides a monthly stipend to be used for the families’ children’s food, education and even health needs.”

She added that some parents believed that after the five-year program, “the government will take-away their children while others think the program is part of demonic ploy.”

Lariba stressed that the families with misconceptions about the 4Ps are qualified for the program but that the agency can not force them if they refuse to take part in it.

Still, Lariba is optimistic that those rejecting the 4Ps will change their minds about it after getting positive

The DSWD has originally targeted some 148,000 beneficiaries for the 4Ps program in Central Visayas but due to aforementioned misconceptions, inclusion errors, and de-listing, the number of beneficiaries actually covered by the program in the region has been reduced to 137,000.

Lariba said families not complying with program requirements, including parents not attending regular meetings, have been delisted from the 4Ps. The number of beneficiaries delisted is minimal, she said, even as she strongly urged those that are still taking part in the program to continue to remain being active members.