The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII reminds Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) partner-beneficiaries to be vigilant and be active citizens this coming election.
“Our program partner-beneficiaries are free to decide, choose, and express their beliefs and rights on issues concerning their lives,” said DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Shalaine Marie Lucero.
“They are encouraged to exercise their right to vote and protect its sanctity as the future of their family and the nation depends on this,” added Lucero.
Director Lucero further said that 4Ps beneficiaries are empowered individuals and are aware of their rights as citizens, and they are free to choose someone whom they believe exemplifies their principles.
DSWD implemented its election-related campaign, which aims to promote and strengthen active citizenship through the 4Ps monthly Family Development Session (FDS), with the active citizenship module highlighting the “Magbantay, Maki-alam, Makilahok sa Halalan” campaign.
4Ps partner-beneficiaries representing various sectors echoed their voices on why they should be vigilant this election, their ideal leader, and their message to the soon-to-be-elected public officials.
“Isip usa ka solo parent, ako manghinaot nga ang mga mapili nga lider magpalambo og programa nga naghatag og kaayuhan sa matag solo parent ug sa mga anak niini ug maprotektahan sila (As a solo parent, I would want a leader that will improve the program that will benefit every solo parent and for the protection of their children),” said Christine Ordoña from Carcar City, Cebu.
Anecita Gumatay, a farmer from Ubay, Bohol, said she will pray for whoever wins and that they will be guided in managing the country, especially in giving attention to the agriculture sector.
“Isip usa ka lungsuranon kinahanglan nga magbinantayon kita aron walay pagpanglimbong nga mahitabo ug katungod nako isip usa ka botante nga adunay patas nga piniliay (As a citizen, it is important that we be vigilant so that there will be no dishonesty, and it is our right as a voter that there will be a fair election),” said Remily Daniel from the town of Siquijor.
Rostom Gedorio Bornea, a member of the indigenous peoples (IP) from Mabinay, Negros Oriental, underscored that the chosen leader should get the consensus of the people in making decisions and the government should be participatory.
Director Lucero also appeals to everyone to refrain from spreading false information that they can, for instance, remove or de-list from the 4Ps or from any other DSWD programs and services if one would not vote for them.
She added that only DSWD can recommend additional beneficiaries to the program based on the Listahanan database, and a 4Ps household can only be removed from the program if it does not comply with the program conditions or does not have children eligible for monitoring.
4Ps is a national government program that invests in the human capital of poor households. It was implemented through DSWD and was institutionalized in 2019 by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 11310.
It has become the national poverty reduction strategy of the government that provides cash grants to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspects of their lives. The households are given cash grants in exchange for their compliance with the program’s conditions. ###
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