Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from Central Visayas joined the 5th-year week-long celebration of Republic Act No. 11310, or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act of 2019, which paved the way for the institutionalization of the 4Ps.

During the 4Ps Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum on June 27, 2024, held at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel in Binondo, Manila City, Elgen Azucena from Mabinay, Negros Oriental, shared the success story of the Tribu-Bukidnon livelihood association, in which they established a general merchandise store funded through the 4Ps Enhanced Support Service Intervention (ESSI). The group was able to sustain their livelihood association through the Bayanihan.

“Ngayon, mayroon na kaming mga empleyado na miyembro rin ng 4Ps, at sila ay binabayaran ng buwanang sweldo. Mula sa paunang puhunan, ngayon ay umabot na ng halos isang milyong piso ang kinita namin. This significant increase in our resources has not only improved the economic standing of our members but has also empowered us to dream bigger and aim higher. Hindi rin nasayang ang ibinigay na pera sa amin ng gobyerno (Now, we already have employees who are members from the 4Ps and they are paid in a monthly basis. From our initial capital, we already have an income that is almost one million pesos. This significant increase in our resources has not only improved the economic standing of our members but has also empowered us to dream bigger and aim higher. The government money spent on us has not gone wasted),” said Elgen in her testimonial.

Meanwhile, Roxan Jane Arenas, a former 4Ps monitored child, was included in the round table discussion with other 4Ps monitored children who were board top notchers. Roxan graduated with a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a major in Content Education. She joined the 10 top notchers in the September 2019 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Now, she is a teacher at Daan Montealegre Elementary School in her hometown of San Francisco, Cebu.

During the round table discussion, she shared her journey as a student and how she achieved success despite the different challenges.

Roxan Jane said, “The 4Ps serves as a beacon of hope for millions of poor Filipinos. It gives us hope to continue striving amidst adversities and insurmountable obstacles. Moreover, the program gives us the best fighting chance of escaping from the vicious cycle of poverty through ensuring that children are healthy and in school.”

During the culminating activity on June 28, 2024, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recognized partner stakeholders who significantly contributed to the program.

Roxan Jane Arenas received a plaque of recognition along with the other three (3) 4Ps board examination topnotchers, and Elgen Azucena, the President of the Tribu-Bukidnon livelihood association, received a plaque of appreciation as one of the resource speakers during the 4Ps Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum.

DSWD employees who rendered more than 15 years of service in 4Ps were also honored as Loyalty Awardees, including employees from Central Visayas, Jose Mario Rosas, Anabelle Corsame, and James Rocel Borromeo.

Various development partners and provincial social welfare and development offices (PSWDO), including the PSWDO of Siquijor, were recognized for their significant contribution to the program’s success.

This year’s celebration carried the theme “5ingko: Kwento at Larawan ng Pangarap, Pagtataya, Pagbabago, at Pagtataguyod ng Pamilyang Pilipino,” which aims to showcase the program’s achievements and inspire partner stakeholders to work toward a brighter future for the 4Ps beneficiaries. ###

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