Exploring the Gap between Real and Ideal Poverty Graduation: A Case of Graduated 4Ps Household Beneficiary

Abstract

In its effort to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to eradicate the adverse influence of poverty, the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, otherwise known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), distributes conditional cash handouts to the underprivileged households of the country. While numerous studies on the efficacy and effects of the 4Ps program have been undertaken, none of them have looked into the recent case of some household beneficiaries graduating from the program. Through this study, the gap between the real and ideal poverty graduation in the case of a graduated 4Ps household beneficiary was explored. The researchers utilized a single case study as a research design and interviewed one (1) graduate 4Ps household beneficiary of Tacloban City who was purposely selected. Furthermore, the data gathered were comprehensively examined through thematic content analysis. As a result, the definition of poverty graduation may vary depending on the household’s level of self- sufficiency at the time of program exit. Thus, this finding was drawn based on the participant’s identified challenges encountered, including high dependency on lifeline connections, insufficient financial support, and decadency of financial capability, as well as the employed coping mechanisms namely supplementary capital investment to business and shoestring budgeting.