Evaluating Conditional Cash Transfers in the Philippines: A Review of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s Impact on Poverty Alleviation

The Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program is the most important tool globally for poverty reduction efforts; they are conditional cash transfer programs offering targeted financial support to the lowest-income families contingent upon meeting certain requirements of health, education, and social welfare. This review examines the impact of the Philippines’ flagship poverty reduction program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), in terms of health, education, and empowerment. By synthesizing extant literature, the review identifies key themes regarding the beneficiaries’ perceptions of success, their degree of satisfaction with the program, and its general role in poverty alleviation. The results suggest that success among the beneficiaries does not only relate to economic benefits but also encompasses education, increased family well-being, and active participation in the community. The perceived quality of implementation of the program is a critical determinant in shaping the satisfaction of its beneficiaries and the overall effectiveness of the program. The review concludes with actionable recommendations for improving 4Ps, including strengthening the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and finding gaps in service delivery. Finally, it suggests several avenues for future research to more clearly understand the nuanced impacts CCT programs have on the lives of beneficiaries and the broader socio-economic outcomes.