The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) regional and provincial exemplary children winners attended the 4-day National Children’s Congress (NCC) held at WaterWorld Cebu in Mandaue City on November 18 to 21, 2024.

The NCC participants from the Central Visayas region are the provincial winners of the 2024 Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children, composed of Gamalle Lhynn Regala from Clarin, Bohol, Yasmin Baguio from Lazi, Siquijor, Ej Torquido from Dumanjug, Cebu, and Sydrick Jhames Tiaga from Basay, Negros Oriental.

The NCC is a series of workshops and activities that aim to mold 4Ps children ambassadors by bringing out the voices of the children-beneficiaries primarily on the issues directly affecting them and proposing advocacy-inclined response mechanisms.

This year carries the theme: “EyyN-CC Squad Goals: Sama-Sama, Kayang-Kaya, Bawat Bata, Bida!”

During the Araw ng Kabataan celebration on November 21, 2024, the NCC culminating activity, the 4Ps exemplary children presented their output and learning through different creative expressions such as singing, dancing, acting, writing, and spoken poetry. The presentation touched on gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.

Since 2012, the NCC has become a regular activity of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), held every November, coinciding with the celebration of National Children’s Month.

For Gamalle Lhynn, gaining new insights is the most unforgettable memory she will treasure from NCC.

“Daghan kaayo ko og nakat-onan kabahin sa mga nagkalain-laing balaod mahitungod sa pagprotekta sa mga kabataan ug nalingaw ko sa mga activities (I learned many things related to different laws that protect the children, and I enjoyed the activities),” said Gamalle Lhynn.

Ej shared, “I feel happy because I met many people and made new friends. In the past four days, I learned that children have rights and that teamwork is important. I will share all I have learned in the NCC with my fellow children in our community in Dumanjug.”

Yasmin and Sydrick Jhames could not agree more with what Gamalle Lhynn and Ej said, for they had the chance to bond with other 4Ps children and share each other’s life experiences.

“Naa nako daghan naila-ila ug miski unsa pa ka, children with disability (CWD) man o dili kay welcome gihapon ug tanan nga bata adunay katungod (I met many people, and whether you are a CWD or not, you are welcome, and all children have their own rights,” shared Yasmin.

Enriching their education and cultural appreciation, the 4Ps children also visited the National Museum of the Philippines—Cebu, Fort San Pedro, and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño for an educational tour.

Central Visayas Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child regional winner Gamalle Lhynn Regala received the plaque of recognition from DSWD Undersecretary for the National Household Targeting System and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Vilma B. Cabrera, 4Ps Deputy Program Manager for Administration Jonathan Anteza, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist Rosela Agcaoili, and 4Ps Party List Representative Jonathan Clement Abalos II, along with other Exemplary 4Ps children regional winners as they share the title of the 2024 National Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a national government program that invests in the health and education of poor households, primarily children aged 18 and below, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with other government agencies, including the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH). ###

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