Over 4T poor families attain self-sufficiency

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 4,156 household beneficiaries graduated from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Central Visayas in 2023.

DSWD-7 regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero congratulated the 4Ps household beneficiaries for their families' improved well-being through the program's intervention.

The 4Ps is the government’s major poverty alleviation program that invests in the health, nutrition, and education of eligible poor households.

Lucero cited the convergence efforts of the different national government agencies, local government units, and civil society organizations in alleviating the quality of life of the 4Ps households.

Lucero encouraged those who graduated from the program to continue to persevere and work hard and do not forget the lessons they have learned through the monthly Family Development Session (FDS) because they can use these in achieving their dreams.

The 4Ps partner beneficiaries who graduated from the program are those with 0 to 18-year-old children or who have graduated from senior high school and those that have attained significant changes in their status and reached self-sufficiency upon graduation based on the Social Welfare Development Indicator (SWDI) conducted by the department.

The SWDI aimed to determine and monitor the progress of the 4P households’ well-being and to facilitate case management for a sustainable transition out of poverty.

According to DSWD-7 that to be considered a self-sufficient household, the beneficiaries should have enough income as they graduate, can cope with their daily needs, and have achieved the first two SWDI levels, Survival (Level 1) and subsistence (Level 2), respectively.

The Department also acknowledges the perseverance of various 4Ps family members employed in private companies and local government units (LGUs).

It said that some are already working as barangay officials and barangay workers, overseas Filipino workers, and teachers, and some are in the service sector.

While other are engaged in livelihood activities such as livestock raising, food vending, homecare, personal care service providers, farmers, and fishermen.

Those that conducted the Saulog ceremonial graduation ceremony in 2023 are the LGUs of Argao, Carcar City, Pinamungajan, Barili, Oslob, Malabuyoc, Samboan, Boljoon, Ginatilan, Alegria, Alcantara, Ronda, Moalboal, Badian, Dumanjug, Alcoy, Aloguinsan, and Bogo City in Cebu.

For Bohol province, the LGUs are the towns of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Talibon, Antequera, Corella, Valencia, Cortes, Jagna, San Isidro, Carmen, and Tagbilaran City.

In Negros Oriental province, the LGUs are Amlan, Pamplona, Zamboanguita, Santa Catalina, and Bais City.

While six towns in Siquijor province--Enrique Villanueva, Larena, Lazi, Maria, San Juan, and Siquijor Capital--have conducted the said ceremony.

DSWD also assured the 4Ps households who graduate from the program of its continued support, as well as assistance from their respective LGUs and other partner stakeholders, which shall provide other interventions and services after exiting from the program so they can sustain their level of well-being. — (FREEMAN)