The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 and the Municipal Government of Ginatilan have joined hands to empower the most vulnerable families to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods by channeling its programs and services to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) partner-beneficiaries in the town of Ginatilan, Cebu.

For years, the 4Ps has been a lifeline for millions of Filipino families, providing conditional cash grants to improve health, nutrition, and education. But beyond the social safety net, the 4Ps dreams of transforming lives in the long term. The partnership with the Municipal Government of Ginatilan through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) is a testament to this vision—a collaborative effort to equip 4Ps partner-beneficiaries with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to stand on their own feet.

A Vision of Empowerment

With the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the MAO of Ginatilan has launched initiatives tailored for 4Ps beneficiaries. One of the flagship programs is a series of livelihood training sessions designed to turn small farmers and fisher folks into agri-entrepreneurs.

From sustainable farming techniques to aquaculture training, the resource speakers provide hands-on guidance, teaching 4Ps partner-beneficiaries how to maximize their resources and increase productivity.

Remedios Veloso, a 4Ps beneficiary from Ginatilan, shared her story.

“Before, we only farmed enough to eat, but through the training on organic farming, I learned how to grow vegetables more efficiently and sell them in the market. Now I have extra income to support my children’s education,” she said in Cebuano.

The DA also provided starter kits, including seeds, fertilizers, and farming tools, enabling farmers to jumpstart their agricultural ventures.

The DA offered fingerlings, fish cages, and training on sustainable fishing practices for the fisherfolk.

The Ginatilan MAO initiated the free paint and security numbers for pump boats.

Some 211 4Ps partner-beneficiaries availed various services, including skills training and other services provided by MAO Ginatilan. The office allocated Php 700,000.00 as expenses for training programs and livelihood equipment.

These various interventions have allowed many families to build a steady income while contributing to the country’s food supply.

Ginatilan Municipal Agriculture Officer Felivena Wilma Laspoña stated that 4Ps beneficiaries are the priority recipients because they need assistance to alleviate their standard of living.

She cited the 4Ps beneficiaries in Barangay Anao as recipients of organic vegetable production training. They now sell their fresh produce up to Php 5,000.00 per week.

Cheaper Rice for All

One of the recent innovative aspects of this partnership is the introduction of affordable rice for 4Ps partner-beneficiaries. Recognizing that rice is a staple for Filipino households, the DA has worked with local farmers’ cooperatives to produce and distribute rice at subsidized prices. This initiative ensures families have access to high-quality and affordable rice and supports local farmers by giving them a stable market.

The National Food Authority (NFA) distributed rice in community outlets accessible to 4Ps beneficiaries at cheaper prices.

“Importante gyud ang bugas sa adlaw-adlaw namo nga kaon mao nga nalipay ko nga makapalit na kami karun og bugas nga hapit katunga sa presyo sa una. Daghan pa among mapalit gikan sa rice subsidy sa 4Ps (Rice is important in our daily meals that is why I am happy that we can now purchase rice that is almost half the price before. I can purchase more using the rice subsidy of 4Ps),” says Antonio Angcon, a 4Ps beneficiary from Barangay Salamanca, Ginatilan. He took advantage of the Sugbo Merkadong Barato program.

Around 600 4Ps beneficiaries recently availed the Php 20.00 per kilo of rice.

The program, Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB), is a flagship initiative of the Cebu Provincial Government, which aims to provide affordable rice to indigent individuals, including 4Ps beneficiaries.

A Future of Sustainability

Beyond providing immediate assistance, the partnership aims to foster sustainability. The 4Ps partner-beneficiaries are encouraged to form community cooperatives to share resources, market their produce collectively, and gain access to microfinancing. The DA also links these cooperatives to institutional buyers, ensuring stable demand for their products.

The impact of the 4Ps is evident in communities like Barangay Cambagte, where a group of beneficiaries participate in the SMB, where they can sell their fresh vegetables near the Ginatilan Municipal Hall. On the other hand, the Municipal Government of Ginatilan provided Php 460.00 as an allowance to the seller, which subsidized their meal and transportation costs.

Municipal Mayor Roy Vincent P. Singco said, “The local government of Ginatilan will always support the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). While the national government provides cash grants to help send children to school, we will also offer skills training and other essential resources to their parents, who primarily depend on agriculture and fisheries for their livelihoods. Through these initiatives, we aim to help them lift from poverty and achieve economic independence.”

This partnership highlights the collaboration between government agencies and local government units to effect sustainable change. The initiative ensures no one is left behind by addressing immediate needs and long-term development.

As the sun sets over the rice fields in Ginatilan, the future shines bright for families who once struggled to make ends meet. With the continued support of the DA, LGU Ginatilan, and DSWD 4Ps, they are not just surviving; they are thriving and building better lives for themselves and future generations. ###