Traversing Poverty Alleviation Initiatives: A Comparative Analysis of the Welfare Card System in Thailand and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Philippines
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Abstract
Intensified by flawed program designs and implementation, the Welfare Card System (WCS) in Thailand and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Philippines have long lapsed in alleviating poverty in both countries. We attempt to elucidate these initiatives' operationalization by comparatively analyzing the two. Nevertheless, we contend that despite flawed and vulnerable operations, they aid impoverished households. Thisu paper aims to (a) examine the WCS as part of the poverty-reduction initiatives in Thailand and the 4PS in the Philippines, (b) assess its challenges in the implementation, and (c) comparatively analyze these initiatives’ efficiency. This paper uses new public administration theory to further understand the delivery and operationalization of the poverty alleviation initiatives in both Thailand and the Philippines by closely looking into the implementation of the programs. This paper utilizes a qualitative comparative case study design with secondary information from online databases to answer the research questions. The findings show that these initiatives have short-term positive effects on poor households as they provide subsidies for basic needs, financial and educational support, and transportation services; however, these so-called poverty alleviation initiatives did not genuinely aid Thailand and the Philippines in diminishing the entirety of poverty.
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