The Social Protection Support Project in the Philippines

Abstract

Key Points The Pantawid Pamilya conditional cash transfer program reached more than 4.4 million poor families in 2014. Rigorous impact evaluation in 2012 and 2014 confirms that Pantawid Pamilya improves access to health services, keeps children in school, reduces child labor, and does not encourage dependency. The Listahanan poverty targeting system is among the best in the world and ensures that benefits reach the poorest. ADB’s Social Protection Support Project supports grants to nearly 640,000 poor households in selected areas. Policy and operational challenges include adjusting the benefit levels to account for inflation, and ensuring sufficient and high quality education and health services.