The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol (DSWD-5) recorded over 19,000 households that are likely to exit from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the first semester of 2024.

In a phone interview, DSWD-Bicol Pantawid Case Management Focal, Jay Aydalla, said 19,392 4Ps households were endorsed to their respective local government units (LGUs) after moving up to Level 3 or self-sufficient assessment of the agency.

“Pag sinabing self-sufficient, hindi lang ito tumutukoy sa income ng isang pamilya. Kasabay dito ang kakayanan mapaunlad ang skills, livelihood, education, and social awareness ng pamilya (When it is said to be self-sufficient, it does not only refer to the income of a family, but also the ability to develop the skills, livelihood, education, and social awareness of the family),” he said.

Aydalla said the 4Ps members were assessed based on the social welfare development indicator (SWDI) in three-level categories –Level 1, or survival; Level 2, or subsistence; and Level 3, or self-sufficient.

“They are the families that achieved the two levels and are now on Level 3. They improved the level of well-being of their families. Level 3 means they are already “self-sufficient”, they have stable social adequacy and economic sufficiency,” he added.

Aydalla said the families are endorsed to different LGUs for the Pugay Tagumpay graduation ceremony.

“Before they will be considered graduates, they need to attend an exit session in their family development session. This session will determine what are the needs or gaps that can be filled up and provided by the LGU and other partner stakeholders to help them to improve their status further,” he said.

The DSWD continues to provide interventions to the graduates through coaching, mentoring, livelihood assistance through the Sustainable Livelihood Program, employment and educational assistance, and skills training. (PNA)