DSWD-7 holds first 4Ps graduation from poverty of 152 families in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) held its first graduation ceremony of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Central Visayas on April 21 with 152 families from Daanbantayan, Cebu with 103 families having already reached level three of well-being or have risen from poverty to self-sufficiency while 49 have no eligible children.

DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Shalaine Marie Lucero told graduates that their slots in the program would be replaced with new eligible families, who will be granted the same benefits, services, and opportunities.

“Tungod sa inyong pag-graduate, aduna nay mga pamilyang mga tabangonon ang adunay tyansa nga makaapil ug makatagamtam sa benepisyo sa Pantawid Pamilya,” said Lucero. (Now that you have graduated from 4Ps, your slots from the program are given to new families who are given the benefits from 4Ps.)

Lucero explained that under Republic Act 11310 or 4Ps Act, the new beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya would avail of and enjoy the benefits under the program in 7 years.  There were already identified families, through the Listahanan, that are poor and needed to be part of the program.

“These families will undergo validation for their eligibility,” Lucero said.  To be eligible for the program, the identified poor and near-poor families must have children 18 years and below, have a pregnant woman at the time of the registration, and have to be interested and willing to comply with the requirements set by the program, she added.

There are 8,744 active Pantawid beneficiaries in Daanbantayan. Among these are 1,176 households that have reached level three of the program.

Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura told the graduates not to feel bad because they are no longer part of the program, for this will give other families in need the chance to be part of the program, and the town has programs and services for them.

"The local government of Daanbantayan will always be here to support and help you," Shimura said.

Shimura went on that the LGU has programs that would cater to their needs, such as scholarship, technical vocational training, health and entrepreneurship programs. Other national government agencies also implemented some programs and services for them too.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala emphasized that graduates can still avail themselves of the programs and services that exist in their areas and those implemented by other government agencies to sustain the development of their families.

“Graduating from 4Ps is a stepping stone for you to have more access in many opportunities,” Geamala said. (Photos: DSWD7 FB)