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The Baterna family, consisting of Ruben, Helen Teodora, and their children from Barili, Cebu, emerged as the Central Visayas Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2025 regional winner. They represented the region at the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) National Family Congress (NFC), from September 24 to 26, 2025, at Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.

The Baterna family from Barili, Cebu, receives their plaque of recognition and cash incentive from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, joined by Assistant Secretary for Operations and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG) Marites M. Maristela, Assistant Secretary for Support to Operations and New Initiatives under CCTG Elaine F. Fallarcuna, and 4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma Gabuya.

The NFC recognizes model families under 4Ps who uphold strong family ties, embody positive Filipino values, and contribute to community development despite the challenges of poverty. The 4Ps conducts the NFC annually in line with the celebration of National Family Week.

This year’s NFC has a theme, “Pamilyang Pantawid: Iba’t Ibang Kulay ng Pag-unlad at Pag-asa,” which highlights diversity, inclusivity, and equality in promoting family acceptance and resilience. It emphasized the unique journeys of 4Ps families toward growth and hope, while recognizing the equal roles of all family members in nation-building.

As part of the three-day event, the Baterna family participated in workshops and seminars on gender inclusivity and equality, focused on promoting acceptance and defining the role and involvement of each family member. They also showcased their talents by presenting a lip-sync dance performance of the Visayan folk song “Pasayawa ko Day” during the 4Ps Festival of Talents.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian awarded the 18 regional winners of the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya with a plaque of recognition and led the culminating activity, held on September 26, 2025, at the Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., welcomed the participants during a Kamustahan Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.

In his message, the President commended the families:

“Kasabay ng ating National Family Week, kinikilala natin ang pinaparangalan nating 18 pamilya mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon, bilang mga Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. Ang bawat isa na naririto ngayon ay nagpapatunay na kaya ng pamilyang Pilipino na harapin ang anumang hamon upang magtagumpay.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., joined by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, talks with the Baterna family during the Kamustahan Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya held on September 26, 2025, at the Kalayaan Hall, Malacañan Palace.

President Marcos said that these 4Ps family regional winners also serve as role models in their communities, inspiring not only fellow 4Ps beneficiaries but all Filipinos.

The president also assured that the government will continue to strengthen the program to empower more indigent families. “Nais pa nating dagdagan ang mga pamilyang may sapat na kakayahan na itaguyod ang kanilang buhay kaya’t patuloy nating pinapalakas ang 4Ps,” he said.

President Marcos Jr. gave cash incentives to the 4Ps exemplary families and treated them to a tour of Malacañan’s heritage mansions: Bahay Ugnayan and the Teus Mansion, which now serves as the Presidential Museum.

The 4Ps, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is the government’s flagship poverty reduction program that invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor households. It is complemented by psychosocial and educational interventions provided through the Family Development Sessions (FDS) to ensure improved and sustained well-being of its beneficiaries. The program was institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act 11310, also known as the 4Ps Act. ###