EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 120, July 13, 2026

[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 120, July 13, 2026 ]

EXTENDING THE MAXIMUM SEVEN (7)-YEARS PERIOD FOR QUALIFIED BENEFICIARIES OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM

WHEREAS, Section 9, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all;

WHEREAS, Section 4 in relation to Section 15(b) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11310, otherwise known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act, establishes the Program as the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven (7) years and authorizes the National Advisory Council (NAC) to recommend to the President a longer period under exceptional circumstances;

WHEREAS, the NAC, through NAC Resolution No. 1 (s. 2026), recommended to the President the extension of Program benefits beyond the seven (7)-year period for qualified 4Ps beneficiaries, recognizing that the exceptional circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted household incomes, reversed developmental gains, heightened beneficiary vulnerability, and limited the ability of affected beneficiaries to fully realize the intended outcomes of the Program within the seven (7)-years period; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure that 4Ps beneficiaries affected by exceptional circumstances continue to receive adequate support under the Program until they achieve the level of self-sufficiency as contemplated by RA No. 11310;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

Section 1. Extension of Period for 4Ps Beneficiaries. Qualified 4Ps beneficiaries whose eligibility to Program benefits under RA No. 11310 would otherwise cease upon the completion of seven (7) years shall continue to be qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries and receive Program benefits beyond such period, for as long as they remain classified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as Level 1 (Survival) or Level 2 (Subsistence) under the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) tool.

For this purpose, the DSWD shall adopt a strengthened case management system using the enhanced SWDI tool or such other tools as the DSWD may deem necessary to assess the well-being and readiness of 4Ps beneficiaries for graduation.

Section 2. Implementing Guidelines. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Order, the DSWD shall formulate and issue the guidelines necessary for its effective implementation, including the identification and validation of qualified 4Ps beneficiaries, the conduct of periodic assessments using the SWDI tool or such other tools as may be appropriate, the implementation of strengthened case management interventions, and the determination of beneficiaries' continued eligibility and readiness for graduation from the Program.

Section 3. Funding. The funding requirements for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against the current and available appropriations of DSWD, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of DSWD, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Section 4. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 5. Repeal. All issuances, orders, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty Six.

(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(SGD.) RALPH G. RECTO Acting Executive Secretary