The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Friday that 300 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household-beneficiaries from this city have graduated from the national government’s poverty reduction program.
The DSWD held on Thursday the “Pugay Tagumpay” for the 4Ps members who have achieved self-sufficiency level after several years of being beneficiaries of the program and receiving not only cash grants but also skills enhancement and livelihood training from other government agencies.
Two of the 300 graduates in this city are the families of Jenneth Sabulao of Barangay 48-A and Kimberly Monterozo of Barangay 31.
Monterozo, a child-monitored beneficiary under 4Ps, has expressed gratitude to the program that helped achieve her dream of earning a college degree. She recently passed the licensure examination for teachers.
“This program has transformed not only my life but also my entire family, giving us a chance to prioritize education and health without worrying too much about finances,” Monterozo said.
“The educational cash grant made the biggest impact. They allowed me to go to school consistently, complete my requirements, and even pursue higher education,” she added.
Currently, four of the nine members of her family are already employed.
On her part, Sabulao, whose two children are beneficiaries of the 4Ps cash grant, shared that being a 4Ps member helped them ensure that they can provide their needs in school.
“Attending the family development session helps us build self-confidence, learn to socialize, and most of all acquire knowledge in disaster preparedness, financial and livelihood management, health and wellness, and leadership skills,” Sabulao said.
Years after becoming a member of the program, Sabulao said the interventions helped her find a job, making her qualified as a program graduate.
Currently, she is employed as an administrative assistant of the Tacloban City Division of the Department of Education.
Although the 300 families are now out of 4Ps, the DSWD said the government will continue to assist them on their journey to the next chapter of their lives by partnering with other government agencies.
These agencies are the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and private companies providing them with sustainable livelihood.
“As mandated by the Republic Act 13110, Pantawid households shall exit the program by attaining a Self-Sufficiency Level of Well-being, through natural attrition, and by voluntarily waiving from the program,” the DSWD regional office said in a statement.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act 11310, 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program of the Philippine government, providing conditional cash transfers to poor households, for a maximum period of seven years, to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspects of their children. (PNA)
