The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cautioned on a growing trend of social media users posing as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), saying the practice spreads misinformation and fuels negative stereotypes about the government’s flagship anti-poverty program.
The advisory follows reports of content creators on platforms such as Facebook pretending to be 4Ps beneficiaries to gain views, engagement, and online attention.
“Mahigpit pong pinapaalalahanan ng DSWD ang mga netizens na huwag magpanggap bilang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps para sa pansariling kasikatan sa social media. Ito po ay nagpapakita ng hindi magandang halimbawa sa paggamit ng mga online platforms para makapanglinlang sa kapwa,” said Irene Dumlao, assistant secretary and DSWD spokesperson.
Dumlao emphasized that misrepresenting oneself as a 4Ps beneficiary is irresponsible and disrespectful to millions of Filipino families who rely on the program for their children’s education and health.
“Ang 4Ps ay isang programa ng pamahalaan na nakalaan para sa pinakamahihirap at pinaka-nangangailangang pamilyang Pilipino. Ang paggamit sa pagkakakilanlan ng mga benepisyaryo bilang biro o content strategy ay isang pangungutya sa kanilang dignidad. Ito rin ay nagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon o ‘fake news’ na nakakaapekto sa integridad ng programa,” she said.
The agency urged the public—particularly content creators and online personalities—to use social media responsibly and avoid spreading false or misleading information about government programs.
“Nais po naming hikayatin ang publiko, lalong-lalo na ang mga content creators at iba pang online personalities, na maging responsableng social media users. Maging maingat at sensitibo po sana tayo lalo na sa pagtalakay ng mga programa ng ating pamahalaan na direktang nakaaapekto sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” Dumlao added.
She also encouraged the public to verify information through official DSWD communication channels, including its website and verified social media pages.