[7] EQUITY AND ACCESS IN 4PS IMPLEMENTATION: AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTION CRITERIA, CHALLENGES, AND STRATEGIES IN MARAWI CITY

ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: Jan 23, 2026, Revised: Feb 07, 2026, Accepted: Feb 10 , 2026, CrossRef D.O.I : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i2.2026.61-65, HOW TO CITE: Hosnie M. Gogo (2026). Equity and Access in 4ps Implementation: An Analysis of Selection Criteria, Challenges, and Strategies in Marawi City. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews, 5(2), 61-65.

Abstract

This study examined the perceived targeting efficiency of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Marawi City by analyzing beneficiaries’ awareness of selection criteria and perceptions of program implementation, alongside key informants’ accounts of implementation challenges, discretion, and inclusion–exclusion issues. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative surveys of 100 4Ps beneficiary households and qualitative interviews with 10 key informants composed of local government officials, program implementers, and community leaders across selected barangays. Findings revealed that the majority of beneficiaries lived under conditions of severe poverty, with 87% reporting household incomes below ₱10,000 and 70% being unemployed. While awareness of eligibility criteria was generally high, gaps in clarity and communication persisted. Beneficiaries expressed generally positive views of program accessibility and grievance mechanisms; however, both beneficiaries and implementers identified serious targeting challenges. These included inconsistent application of selection criteria, political influence, and documentation barriers, particularly in remote and vulnerable communities. Inclusion and exclusion errors were widely reported, with 90% of beneficiaries citing the exclusion of deserving households as a major concern. Grievance mechanisms, though present, were perceived as insufficient in resolving targeting inaccuracies. The study concludes that although the 4Ps program contributes to poverty alleviation in Marawi City, its targeting efficiency remains constrained by governance, documentation, and accountability issues. Strengthening screening procedures, simplifying documentation requirements, enhancing grievance systems, and reducing political interference are essential to improving program equity and effectiveness, particularly in conflict-affected and culturally distinct contexts.