The Department of Social Welfare and Development has begun distributing the increased P750 monthly cash grant under the First 1,000 Days program of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps.
The grant was raised from P350 per month.
The DSWD said the rollout began on July 9 and initially benefited 5,536 babies.
Each qualified beneficiary received P1,500, covering the P750 monthly grants for May and June. The assistance was credited to Land Bank of the Philippines cash cards or the registered e-wallet accounts of beneficiary families.
The agency aims to provide the monthly grant to 180,000 qualified beneficiaries nationwide this year.
The expanded First 1,000 Days package covers eligible 4Ps households with pregnant women or children within their first 1,000 days of life.
The grant is intended to help families meet the health and nutritional needs of mothers and young children during a period considered critical to physical growth, brain development and overall well-being.
Beneficiaries must continue complying with program conditions to remain eligible.
These include regular prenatal and postnatal check-ups, delivery in a health facility assisted by skilled health professionals, regular child health consultations and age-appropriate immunization for children up to 24 months old.