The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has inspired beneficiaries from the region to improve their lives.

This was echoed by two parent leaders, who manage a cluster of parent beneficiaries of the 4Ps program in their respective communities.

“Being a parent leader, daw na-discover ko nga may kapasidad gale ako magtubang sa mga tawo (Being a parent leader I have discovered that I am able to face people)," said Clarissa Baylon of San Roque.

Jennifer Comoda of Sambag, Jaro said the program helped boost her confidence, “Nadungangan akon knowledge kag ang natun-an namon sa mga seminar, ma-apply gid sa amon pangabuhi (I learned more and what we have learned from the seminar, we can apply in our lives),” she added.

It was learned that under the program, beneficiaries are required to regularly attend in the Family Development Sessions (FDS).

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Compliance Verification Focal Person Anthony Laru-an said the FDS seeks to enrich the knowledge and enhance the skills of the parents for them to comply with the health and education conditions of 4Ps.

“Although one of the goals of the program is social assistance but the social development or empowerment of the beneficiaries is more important,” said Laru-an.

On one hand, DSWD Regional Technology Officer Richard Sevilla said that the first batch of beneficiaries from Set 1 in Western Visayas is expected to graduate by next year.

“DSWD is continuously coming up with strategies to monitor the level of preparedness of the clients and assist them in realizing their educational and health goals towards their completion of the program,” said Sevilla.

As for the household-beneficiaries, they assured that once they have finished the program, they will still strive to make their lives better.

“Tingwa-on ko gid nga makatapos ang akon mga kabataan kag sigehon ko gid bulig sa akon pamilya sa negosyo, nga indi na ako magsalig sa gobyerno (I will try hard that my children can finish schooling and will continue to help in our business so I will not depend on government alone),” said Comoda.

Baylon said, “Daku gid ni nga inspirasyon ang ginhatag sang Pantawid. Kun kaya nila tumawid, kaya man namon tumawid (4Ps is a big inspiration.  If others can go beyond, we can also go beyond poverty.” 

The 4Ps is a poverty-reduction strategy of the government which aims to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty by investing in human capital.*PIA