At least 167 “graduates” of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Maguindanao have received PHP15,000 each as startup capital from the government, officials said Tuesday.
In a statement, Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) Minister Raissa H. Jajurie hailed the beneficiaries who moved on from the program, saying they succeeded in improving their lives.
“Now that you have graduated from the program, it does not mean we severed our relationships with each other,” Jajurie told the outgoing recipients during the “Pugay-Tagumpay” ceremony held at the town gymnasium here Monday.
Under the theme “Pagkilala sa Matagumpay na Pamilyang Bangsamoro,” the 4Ps beneficiaries from municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Sultan Mastura, Parang and Upi of the province have received certificates of recognition for graduating from the program.
“Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), you are qualified to receive startup capital for your livelihood and income-generating project,” she said, adding that she is hopeful the capital fund will grow and improve the lives of former 4Ps beneficiaries.
Jajurie said the graduation of 4Ps beneficiaries signifies that they have accelerated from being on the survival or subsistence level to being self-sufficient.
Aside from SLP, she said the BARMM manages other programs aimed at helping improve the lives of indigent residents.
In her inspirational message, Department of Social Welfare and Development National Director Gemma B. Gabuya said the government will continue to assist the “graduates” through sustainable programs.
She also noted that exiting from 4Ps will give chance to other poor households to be part of it.
Out of over 4.4 million households under the 4Ps Listahanan, a significant portion are from BARMM.
The 4Ps is a human development measure of the Philippine government, which provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-18. (PNA)
Photo Credit: www.bangsamoro.gov.ph
