Global Classroom on Sustainability of CCT Program in the Changing Political Context

Posted on July 21, 2018

By Marj Ibanez


INCITEGov in partnership with ASOG gathered participants from Mexico and Philippines on the program to discuss the protection of CCT Program in the changing political context of the country, held at the Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Quezon City.

The program was attended by twenty-eight (28) participants who are practitioners, advocates, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Philippines on which they had audiovisual exchange via Skype among resource persons from Mexico.

For years, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) Program has helped improve the overall level and quality of consumption among the poor as CCT families exhibit more expenditure on nutrition, health, and education, according to the background study of the program.

Global Classroom provided a platform for discussion and exchange of insights and experiences among CCT program advocates from Mexico and Philippines. Mr. Damian Rosales-Manjarezz, Director of Statistical Analysis and in-charge of Targeting, presented the objectives of Prospera, one of the very first CCT program launched.

The project focuses on levels of intervention such as Investment on Human Capital, Development of Capabilities, Access to Social Rights, which stressed engagement and empowerment as well.

He emphasized that the program aims to empower people through supporting them with food access, health, education, including energy support and children support. It also aims to cover linked actions which include productive inclusion, labor market insertion, financial inclusion, and access to other social programs.

He further discussed that the CCT in Mexico covered various legislations and state guidelines such as constitution of the state, general law on social development adopting a rights-based approach, implementation guidelines of the program

Moreover, he emphasized that  evaluation is a key element to Mexico’s CCT program. Audits were also conducted and coordinated with administrative units.

Evaluation, Accountability and Accompaniment has helped  Prospera to have the best record, best practices, high quality targeting system, coordinated operations with Education and Health systems, broadest network of social promoters and infrastructure, he said.

He further stated that to sustain the continuity of the agenda, the policy features and direction of the program must: be targeted to those who need it most, help vulnerable groups through direct income transfers and strengthen linkages of social programs.

In conclusion, Dr. Manjarezz identifies that following as success factors in the continuity of the program through changing political contexts are strong legislation and aligned budget allocation to poor people, continuous evaluation of agenda, adaptation of best practices, disciplined compliance with audits and monitoring, centralized policy direction and implementation, and creation of a high sense of belonging.

Ms. Jeana Catacio of the SNPP acknowledged these aspects of the Prospera program as strategies to further protect the sustainability and implementation of the CCT Programs.

The program was hosted by the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG). It was held  at a different time zones: July 11, at 7:00 am in the Philippines and July 10, at 6:00 pm in Mexico. The program aims provide actions specifically the institutionalization of CCT through legislation and the building of a strong constituency that will claim ownership of the program that will advocate for the continuing implementation of CCT amid shifts in the political environment. -