The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas awarded the 2024 Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children winners in Central Visayas.

Gamalle Lhynn Regala, 14, an eighth-grade girl from Barangay Bogtongbod, Clarin, Bohol, emerged as the regional winner.

She bested the other three provincial winners, including Yasmin Baguio from Lazi, Siquijor, in second place; Ej Torquido from Dumanjug, Cebu, in third place; and Sydrick Jhames Tiaga from Basay, Negros Oriental, in fourth place.

“Child-beneficiaries, as one of the stakeholders in 4Ps, play an important role in fulfilling the education and health outcomes of the program. According to an African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, and their unique stories inspire us to work harder for the betterment of each Filipino child,” said DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero.

“These exemplary children will be an addition to our pool of local ambassadors who can promote children’s rights, specifically in health and education,” she added.

In a simple awarding ceremony at the regional office, the four (4) provincial winners received their plaque of recognition and cash incentive.

In addition to the provincial winners, there were provincial runners-up who also received certificates of recognition and cash incentives.

In the Bohol provincial-level search, the runners-up of Gamalle Lhynn Regala are Michaela Elipian of Inabanga, who ranked second, while Rose Anne Vargas of Carmen and Mike Priete of Loboc tied for third place, respectively.

DSWD 7 recognized the Cebu provincial winners, Ej Torquido from Dumanjug, Cebu, Riza Paalan from Compostela, and Rosset Pepito from Daanbantayan, who ranked second and third, respectively.

The Negros Oriental provincial winners, including Sydrick Jhames Tiaga, first place, are Vince Joseph Batoon of Siaton, second place, and Daryl Ortega of Pamplona, third place.

Siquijor’s provincial winners include Yasmin Baguio in first place, Cristal Mae Lambiguit of Maria in second place, and John Darren Ates of Siquijor in third place.

The search for exemplary children under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) started with the endorsement of nominations from the city and municipal links to the provincial-level judging to determine the provincial winners.

Pantawid Provincial Office endorsed the winners for the regional-level judging to determine, which includes desk validation and an online interview.

The following are the criteria for judging: behavior and practice (20%), awareness, advocacy, and talent (25%), intelligence and wit (25%), community and school participation (20%), and aptitude and appearance (10%).

The search aims to recognize children under 4Ps who are excellent examples in their households, schools, and communities and to encourage the children to be active citizens by complying with the conditions of the program.

The four (4) children also represented the Central Visayas region in the ongoing 4Ps National Children’s Congress (NCC) from November 18 to 22, 2024, at WaterWorld Cebu in Mandaue City. They are joined by other provincial winners from all over the country.

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. During the Araw ng Kabataan celebration on November 21, 2024, the NCC culminating activity, the 4Ps exemplary children will present their output and learnings through different creative expressions like singing, dancing, acting, writing, and spoken poetry.

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

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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