A daughter of a solo parent from the municipality of Belison is declared as Antique’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Exemplary Child 2023 to represent the province in the regional search in September.

Mikaela Demamay, 12 years old from Barangay Delima, bested six other contenders during the search held at the Robinsons Place Antique on Tuesday.

The winner was chosen based on academic grades and extra-curricular activities as presented through documentation and talent and interview during the final search.

Antique Provincial Link Jeffrey Gabucay, in an interview on Friday, said the yearly search aimed to show that despite poverty, a child can still excel in their academic and extra-curricular activities.

Demamay, a Grade 7 special class learner at the Belison National High School, said she was fortunate to be a recipient of the 4Ps because the income of her mother as a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) is not enough to provide for her needs.

“The 4Ps cash grant had been a great help because we were able to buy our food and other daily needs,” Demamay said.

She added that she wanted to inspire other children, especially those belonging to the poorest of the poor to study hard and do their best in life to get out of poverty.

“I want to become a teacher someday because I want to help other less privileged children like myself learn and improve their lots in life,” she said.

DSWD provides educational assistance in the amount of PHP300 to a 4Ps beneficiary at the elementary level, PHP500 for junior high school, and PHP700 for senior high school per month.

A household member also receives PHP750 monthly for their health needs and PHP600 as a rice subsidy. (PNA)