From Beneficiaries to Breadwinners: 300 Tacloban Families Graduate from 4Ps Program
TACLOBAN CITY – Three hundred household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Tacloban have officially “graduated” from the government’s flagship poverty reduction program, marking their transition to self-sufficiency.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Eastern Visayas honored the graduates during the “Pugay Tagumpay” ceremony held Thursday, recognizing their years of perseverance and growth through financial aid, livelihood support, and skills training from partner agencies.
Among the graduates are the families of Jenneth Sabulao of Barangay 48-A and Kimberly Monterozo of Barangay 31.
Monterozo, a monitored child-beneficiary who has since completed her education, credited 4Ps for helping her pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She recently passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.
“This program has transformed not only my life but also my family’s. The educational grant made the biggest impact, allowing me to finish school and even pursue higher education,” she shared. Four of her nine family members are now gainfully employed.
Sabulao, meanwhile, said the program’s family development sessions strengthened their confidence and knowledge in health, livelihood, disaster preparedness, and financial literacy. With her children’s school needs supported, she was able to focus on career growth and now works as an administrative assistant at the Department of Education’s Tacloban Division.
Although these families will no longer receive cash assistance, DSWD assured continuous support through partnerships with agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the private sector for sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Under Republic Act 11310, 4Ps beneficiaries are required to exit the program once they achieve self-sufficiency, voluntarily waive participation, or naturally phase out.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019, the 4Ps remains the Philippine government’s cornerstone social protection program, designed to uplift poor households by improving health, nutrition, and education outcomes for children.
NPO News Team I PNA-PR
