The family of Porferio and Porferia Fortuito of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, the Central Visayas Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2024 regional winner, attended the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) National Family Congress (NFC) held at the Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Santa Cruz, Manila, on October 27 to 30, 2024.

The NFC is in line with the 4Ps’ annual celebration of National Family Week, which recognizes model families who belong to the 4Ps and maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and create positive impacts in their communities despite the challenges they experience due to poverty.

The NFC theme for this year, Pamilyang Pantawid: Matatag sa Hamon, Patuloy sa Pag-unlad, captured the spirit of every 4Ps family that continued to persevere with the help of 4Ps.

Part of the four-day activity was a parent-child seminar and workshop to provide 4P beneficiaries with the tools and knowledge they need to build a better life for their families.

They participated in sessions like Promoting Gender Equity in the Family, Sustaining the Interest of Children and Youth in School, Prevention of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), and workshops on crafting the family vision and commitments.

During the culminating activity on October 30, 2024, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the awarding of the 16 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya regional winners, including the Fortuito family. The families received a plaque and a cash incentive worth Php 10,000.00 each.

“I am pleased to know that 4Ps is more than just a social safety net; it is a testament to our collective belief that by investing in families, we are also investing in the future of our country,” said Secretary Gatchalian for his inspirational message.

Secretary Gatchalian added that 4Ps empower families to break free from the intergenerational cycle of poverty, enabling them to create better opportunities for their children and fostering an environment where every family member can thrive.

The DSWD Field Office 7—Central Visayas was also awarded the Best Salaysay ng Buhay Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) for the video documentation of the Fortuito family.

Secretary Gatchalian graced the occasion together with Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera of the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) and 4Ps, Assistant Secretary Marites Maristela of NHTS and 4Ps, and Gemma Gabuya, the director of the 4Ps National Program Manager.

4Ps is the government’s major poverty alleviation program, which invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor households eligible for the program. Together with the psychosocial and educational components provided through the Family Development Session (FDS), the beneficiaries will have improved and sustained well-being. Implemented through DSWD, the program was institutionalized in 2019 by Republic Act 11310, or the 4Ps Act. ###

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