Financial Challenges in Pursuing College of Former 4Ps Beneficiaries in Cagraray

Island, Philippines

CHERRYLLYN L. LEONA
Email: cherryllynlleona@gmail.com
Master of Arts in Education
Bicol College
Daraga, Albay

Abstract – The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a national

government initiative that provides conditional cash to the most impoverished family to
enhance their health, nutrition, and educational status as well as their general well-being.
The purpose of this study is to ascertain the various significant financial difficulties faced
by former 4Ps student-beneficiaries in pursuing college education. The researcher
employed a survey-questionnaire as the primary instrument in a descriptive research
approach to gather information about the respondents’ financial difficulties. The
respondents were former student-beneficiaries of 4Ps in selected barangays of Cagraray
Island in Bacacay, Albay. Inference and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the
data more quickly, accurately, and effectively.

Keywords – Beneficiaries, 4Ps, financial challenges, pursuing, college education,

conditional cash, Cagraray Island, descriptive statistics,

INTRODUCTION

One of the country’s biggest issues and societal concerns has been poverty.
Filipinos were determined to be the most impoverished in terms of access to education
among numerous measures of poverty, according to the new Multidimensional Poverty
Index (MPI) produced by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Poverty has hampered
the right to education in the Philippines, just like it does in other nations. According to
Crossman (2019), poverty is a social condition that is characterized by the lack of
resources necessary for basic survival or necessary to meet a certain minimum level of
living standards expected for the place where one lives. It is best defined by conditions of
existence, like lack of access to food, shelter, water, clothes, and education. According
to the report of Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) for Academic Year 2020-2021,
there is only 2154 graduates out of 5538 enrollees and one of the reasons why this
happens is due to financial constraints.
Every student has a sincere desire to attend college and earn a degree because
doing so could pave the way for their success in the future and in life. Most students enroll
in college to increase their chances of finding better employment. Senior high school
graduates must choose between continuing their education in college and entering the
workforce (Cuy & Salinas, 2019). Higher education expenditures in both public and
private educational institutions are increasing, therefore students need more money to
meet the cost of study and living at universities. Some students may have daily financial
difficulties because of their limited financial resources and the escalating expense of
school. The lack of alternative financial means, the delay in receiving financial support
and insufficient loan or scholarship amounts could all contribute to students’ financial
difficulties (Daud, Norwani, & Yusof, 2018).
In the Philippines, one of the programs of the government initiated to solve the
problem on poverty is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, a poverty
reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their
health, nutrition, and education particularly children aged 0-18. It is a version of
conditional cash transfer (CCT) program here in the Philippines under the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It is patterned on programs in other developing
countries like Brazil (Bolsa Familia), Columbia (Familias en Accion) and Mexico
(Oportunidades) (Montilla et al., 2015). According to the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD), it is a social protection program that focuses on human capital
development through the provision of cash grants to eligible poor households subject to
their compliance with education and health conditionalities. The education grant of this
program will be provided to eligible families with children between the ages of 3-18 years
old that are enrolled and attending at least 85% of the school classes (Php 300/children
in pre-school/day care and elementary; Php 500/children in high school x maximum of 3
children x 10 months x per household).
However, according to Section 34 of the Republic Act 11310 also known as “An
Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program”, a qualified household-
beneficiary shall be deemed to exit from the program if the last monitored child in the
household finishes high school and reaches 19 years old. The educational grant is no
longer available to children who choose to pursue college. Parents must find alternative
means of funding their child’s education, such as by applying for government
scholarships. This study aimed to identify the financial challenges of former 4Ps
beneficiaries in Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay in pursing college education.
Numerous studies have been done on the financial obstacles that 4Ps
beneficiaries face when trying to further their education. Studies like contributing factors
in basic education through 4Ps implementation (Balcuit Jr., 2018); surviving and quitting:
the case of 4Ps student dropouts (Lluz, 2020); financing education through Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Dela Torre, 2016); analysis on the implementation of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Acupido et al., 2020); and the effect on the
academic performance of 4Ps student-beneficiaries (Flores et al., 2019).
Furthermore, financial challenges are a serious issue that needs to be addressed
as it leads to multiple stages of problems such as health issue and academic performance
(Norazlan, Yusuf, & Al-Majdhoub, 2020). In the field of education, finances are crucial.
Students from wealthy families have the chance to enroll in quality educational programs
at prestigious universities, but those from low-income families are unable to continue their
education and acquire higher education from well-known educational institutions (Habiba
& Liaqat, 2022). Worries about how financial stress and other debt-related issues can
harm students' wellbeing. Significantly fewer students who express financial stress have
higher levels of financial self-efficacy and future financial optimism (Heckman, Lim, &
Montalto, 2014). Undergraduate students frequently experience financial stress, which
presents obstacles to degree completion and social mobility. They are a vulnerable group,
struggling to pay for college and managing their finances poorly. These problems have
resulted in excessive student debt, failure to repay it, and occasionally dropping out of
school (Hicks, 2021).
 FRAMEWORK

A financial difficulty is when stress is being brought on by money worries. However,

recent financial issues have plagued college students and have grown to be a significant
issue for them. Students sometimes experience financial difficulties because they lack
the funds to cover their everyday expenses, which makes them anxious. After then,
financial issues will influence your physical and emotional health. Several theories have
been proposed by researchers about financial challenges faced by college students.
However, this study was guided by two theories, such as Need Theory and Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs.
Need Theory aims to explain human motivation in terms of a person’s unique
needs. Regardless of one’s background. It is a general paradigm that may be used in a
variety of circumstances. Specifically, in the Three Needs Theory according to a Harvard
professor, David McClelland, there are three forms of needs—affiliation, achievement,
and power—that can be learnt or socially acquired through life events are what determine
an individual's performance. Each person has a stronger propensity toward one or more
of the three distinct needs, the one that best fits the professional's personality and
background. A person can have three different desires. Each person is driven by a desire
for power, a sense of belonging, or success. Usually, one trait predominates over the
others, although everyone possesses all of them (Kurt, 2021).
Moreover, Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory of motivation that
includes a five-tier model of human needs that is frequently represented as levels within
a pyramid. Abraham Maslow, a renowned expert in the study of human needs and
motivation, proposed that people are motivated by five levels of needs, namely: (1)
Physiological needs (2) Safety needs (3) Love and belonging needs (4) Esteem and
prestige needs (5) Self-actualization needs. According to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of
needs, certain fundamental needs must be satisfied before other needs may be
considered in a human setting. To improve people's living situations in the human
environment, Abraham Maslow explored this desire in more detail in his hierarchy of
needs (Aruma & Hanachor, 2017).

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study determines the financial challenges faced by former 4Ps beneficiaries
in pursuing college education. In particular, the study aims to (1) identify the financial
challenges that former 4Ps beneficiaries encounter when pursuing college education; (2)
identify alternative strategies in resolving their financial challenges; and (3) provide
suggestions for addressing the issues that former 4Ps beneficiaries face the most when
pursuing a college education.

METHODOLOGY
Research Design

To verify data and clarify information, the researcher performed some interviews
along with the descriptive approach and documentary analysis. Qualitative design which
used a questionnaire and interview for gathering data from the respondents of the study.
Participants

The participants of the study were the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps) from the identified barangays of Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay with
children enrolled to college. Additional information was likewise taken from the barangay
local government unit.

Instrument

This study used the Probability Sampling Technique, which is the lottery method
or draw lots in identifying the barangays. The method used in data gathering and obtaining
essential information to satisfy the objectives set in this work is a validated survey-
questionnaire that was modified from “The Challenges Facing Masters Students in the
College of Education in Damman” of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in 2020.
The questionnaire used the 5-point Likert scale with the corresponding descriptive ratings:
(5) Strongly Agree, (4) Agree, (3) Neutral, (2) Disagree, and (1) Strongly Disagree.

Data Gathering Procedure

To properly perform the study in each area, letters were first issued to the
appropriate barangay captains. Then, study questionnaires were personally distributed
among the beneficiaries who had been selected, using random sampling as the basis for
choosing the respondents. To combine the data, the researcher also performed an
interview. They were then added up, scrutinized, and interpreted.

Ethical Considerations

All participants were made aware that taking part was entirely up to them.
Participants were also given the assurance that their own identities would be kept private.
The participants were informed that the questionnaire was fully anonymous and did not
ask for any personal information, such as participant names. Names of the barangay may
only be disclosed to examiners, if necessary, during the presentation of the document to
the administration; otherwise, information will not be disclosed to anyone else, made
public, or included in this paper. All participants were also informed that upon request,
copies of the data would be given to them.

Statistical Analysis

The completed questionnaires were reviewed for accuracy and coherence before
processing the responses. After that, the questionnaires were coded so that the
responses could be analyzed. To examine the data, the researchers mostly employed
descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. According to the study's goal, the collected
data were compiled, handled, and analyzed.
 LITERATURE CITED

Acupido, R. B., Cabilangan, R. R., Padilla, C. N., & Tabamo, H. A. (2020). Analysis on
the implementation of the pantawid pamilyang Pilipino program: a research review.
International Peer Reviewed Journal, 4, 104-120.

Aruma, E. O. & Hanachor, M. E. (2017). Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and

assessment of needs in community development. International Journal of
Development and Economic Sustainability, 4(7), 15-27.

Balacuit Jr, C. V. (2018). Contributing factors in basic education through 4Ps

implementation. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 10(2),
79-86.

Crossman, A. (2019). Understanding poverty and its various types. Retrieved from
https://www.thoughtco.com/poverty-3026458

Daud, N., Norwani, N. M., Yusof, R. (2018). Students financial problems in higher
education institutions. International Journal of Academic Research in Business
and Social Sciences, 8(10), 1558-1567.

Dela Torre, B. (2016). Financing education through pantawid pamilyang Pilipino

program (4Ps). International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 6(5), 99-
108.

Flores, M. S., Espinoza, C. B., Enrico, H. C., & Casimiro, R. R. (2019). Pantawid
pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps): its effect on the academic performance of
student-beneficiaries in Calaba National High School in the Philippines. Journal
of Public Administration and Governance, 9(2), 193-208.

Habiba, U. & Liaqat, M. (2022). Impact of scholarships on student’s academic

achievement in Punjab, Pakistan. Asia Pacific Journal of Business Economics
and Technology, 2(3), 1-12.

Heckman, S., Lim, H., & Montalto, C. (2014). Factors related to financial stress among
college students. Journal of Financial Therapy, 5(1), 19-39.

Hicks, S. P. (2021). Financial Stress in Undergraduate Students. (Doctoral dissertation).

Walden University.

Kurt, S. (2021). McClelland’s three needs theory: power, achievement, and affiliation.
Education Library.

Lluz, P. P. (2020). Surviving and quitting: the case of 4Ps student dropouts.
International Journal of Research, 8(8), 297-301.
Montilla, M. M., Delavin, E. A., Villanueva, R. M., & Turco, R. A. (2015). Pantawid
pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps): assistance to pupil’s education. Asia Pacific Journal of
Education, Arts and Sciences, 3(2), 1-5.

Norazlan, N., Yusuf, S., & Al-Majdhoub, F.M.H. (2020). The financial problems and
academic performance among public university students in Malaysia. The Asian
Journal of Professional and Business Studies, 1(2), 1-6.

Nunet, C, & Edwin, S. (2019). Aspiration and Readiness of Filipino Senior High School
Students in Pursuing College Degree. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 7(5).