DSWD endorses graduates to LGUs for aftercare support

A total of 700 families from several localities in Quezon Province graduated as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) last November 21 during the Pugay Tagumpay Graduation Ceremony held at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City. 

The said families are those assessed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to have improved their level of well-being through the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) assessment.

“Malawak na ang inyong kaalaman at karanasan kaya kampante kami na kayo ay makakatayo sa sarili n’yo kahit na ga-graduate na kayo sa 4Ps,” shared DSWD Asst. Secretary Maria Evelyn Macapobre in her message to the graduates.

Asst. Secretary Macapobre also assured the families that the DSWD, national government agencies, and the local government units will remain open to help them to ensure that they can sustain their improved level of well-being.

As part of their graduation from the program, the DSWD also endorsed these families to their respective local government units (LGUs) for continuous monitoring and aftercare support.

Celebration of success of the beneficiaries

During the ceremony, the DSWD and all the partner-stakeholders of the program recognized the success of the beneficiaries in using the opportunities provided by the 4Ps in improving their living condition.

Anabel Javier, a resident of Candelaria, Quezon and a graduate of the 4Ps, shared that she is proud and thankful to be a part of the program.

“Patuloy kaming magsisikap para tuluyang magtagumpay,” shared Javier.

Javier shared that prior to being a beneficiary of the program, they had no access to safe drinking water and electricity and struggled to provide for the needs of their nine children.

“Ngayon po ay apat na sa mga anak ko ay graduate na ng college at may kanya-kanya ng trabaho. Tatlo ay kasalukuyang nasa college at dalawa ay nasa high school,” she shared.

The Field Office also recognized the regional and provincial winners of the 2023 Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, including the Cada Family of Lucban, Quezon who also graduated as a program-beneficiary.

The Search is an annual activity of the Department that recognizes 4Ps family-beneficiaires who exemplifies strong family ties, positive Filipino values, wise use of opportunities from the program, and active participation in their respective communities.

The Cada Family, the regional winner of the said search, works as a family not only in their house chores but also in farming and other livelihood activities as well as serving their community.

Other awardees are the Abiera Family of Gen. Nakar, Quezon (2nd place), Borbon Family of Lobo, Batangas (3rd Place) and provincial winners from the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite.

Celebration of continued partnership with various stakeholders

“Ang inyong suporta sa mga 4Ps beneficiaries ay nagbunga, natulungan natin sila na tumawid sa kaunlaran. Ang investment ng bawat isa sa 4Ps ay talagang kahanga-hanga,” shared DSWD Field Office IV-A Asst. Regional Director Mylah Gatchalian in her message to the staff and partners in the 4Ps implementation.

According to Dir. Gatchalian, the ceremony was also a venue for the endorsement of the graduates to their respective LGUs for continued support services to the beneficiaries.

The endorsement of the graduates to the LGUs is part of the exit strategy of the program that ensures that even if the beneficiaries are no longer 4Ps recipients, they will still be assisted and supported for their continued improvement.

“Patuloy ang pagkilala at pagkalinga namin sa inyo,” shared Quezon Provincial Administrator Manuel Botardo as representative of Gov. Angelina Tan.

Quezon Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Sonia Leyson added that the LGUs ensure that there will be services that the families can still access.

“Makakaasa po kayo na ang lalawigan ay nakaalalay sa inyo. Hindi po kayo maiiwan sa mga programang panlalawigan,” shared Leyson.#