Eighteen Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household-beneficiaries were honored Friday by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a ceremony at Malacañang.
Marcos and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian jointly recognized the resilience of the 18 “Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya” (model Pantawid families) and their success under the government’s flagship program.
Twelve of the awardees have already reached the self-sufficiency level of well-being and are set to graduate from the 4Ps.
Marcos Jr. praised the vital role of Filipino households in building stronger communities as he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the 4Ps to help beneficiaries rise above poverty.
“Layunin ng programang ito na tulungan ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino na makaahon sa buhay sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan at mga oportunidad sa kabuhayan (It is the purpose of this program to help every Filipino family to improve their lives by means of education, medical services, at livelihood opportunities),” President Marcos said.
Gatchalian thanked the families for serving as inspiration to their communities, underscoring the value they placed on education.
“Sa pag-ikot ko sa iba’t ibang probinsya, nakita ko na hindi lamang kayo nakikinabang sa programa, kundi kayo rin mismo ay nagiging modelo ng pagkakaisa, malasakit, respeto at higit sa lahat, ang pagmamahalan sa loob ng pamilya (During my rounds in different provinces, I noticed that you didn’t only gain benefit from the program, but you also become models for unity, caring, respect and most of all, for love of family),” Gatchalian said.
Each family received a plaque of recognition and an additional PHP20,000 cash incentives on top of the PHP10,000 that they received from regional searches.
Among those recognized was the Jamil family of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, hailed as the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya of Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
Once struggling to make ends meet through fishing while living in a conflict-affected community, the family persevered through faith and hard work to secure a better future for their children.
With the support of the 4Ps, they became more engaged in education, health, and community service.
With some children already graduates and others still in school, the Jamils have become sources of pride for their Sama Banguingui tribe and their community, showing that unity and determination can turn even the hardest circumstances into success.
“Unang-una nagpapasalamat ako kay Allah, lalo na sa ating Pangulo. Sana ay huwag kayong magsawang tumulong sa mga mahihirap na kagaya namin kasi marami pa ang naghihirap sa lugar namin ngayon. Maraming salamat din sa DSWD at sa 4Ps (First of all thanks to Allah, especially to our President. May you not stop from helping the poor like us because there are more of us who are still suffering in our place. Thanks also to the DSWD and the 4Ps),” Nasser Jamil, the head of the family, said.
The recognition of the 18 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya served as the highlight of the National Family Week celebration, showcasing stories of perseverance, unity and hope that embody the vision of a stronger, more resilient Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines). (PNA)
