Personal Budgeting Techniques Among Philippine 4Ps Beneficiaries: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Despite extensive research on the outcomes of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), limited attention has been given to how beneficiaries manage their cash assistance through personal budgeting practices. This study explored the personal budgeting techniques employed by Philippine 4Ps beneficiaries and examined how these practices influenced their household financial management of the cash assistance they received. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study employed a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected 4Ps beneficiaries. Data were analyzed through Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis. Three major budgeting practices emerged: Conditionality-Driven Prioritization, where beneficiaries prioritized children's education and basic needs; Proactive Financial Planning, characterized by advance budgeting through written lists or mental planning; and Resilience Through Self-Agency, in which participants generated supplementary income and strengthened budgeting skills to cope with financial constraints. Participants perceived these strategies as helpful in managing their cash assistance and meeting essential household needs. However, they also reported continued financial vulnerability due to the limited and bimonthly nature of the cash grant and unexpected household expenses. The findings suggest that personal budgeting plays an important role in helping beneficiaries allocate limited financial resources more effectively while highlighting the need for stronger financial capability interventions to complement social assistance programs.