ILOILO – A total of 2,228 families in this province have successfully graduated from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) poverty-alleviation scheme Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), marking a milestone in their journey toward self-sufficiency.
The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) hosted a graduation ceremony on November 22 at the Cabatuan municipal covered gym. The event honored families from 42 municipalities and the component city of Passi, who were among those who completed the program.
“This is the first-ever graduation ceremony for 4Ps families in Iloilo, an initiative of the provincial government under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. It highlights the positive impact of the program in uplifting the lives of Ilonggos,” said Ann Rapunzel Ganzon, social welfare officer and chief of the Technical Assistance Division of PSWDO-Iloilo.
According to Ganzon, the families achieved this milestone by meeting the program’s three levels of progress: survival, subsistence, and self-sufficiency.
Graduating at Level 3, or self-sufficiency, means they no longer require the program’s financial assistance to meet their daily needs.
A Symbol of Resilience and Success
During the ceremony, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias hailed the 4Ps graduates.
“These Ilonggos are not here to receive academic credentials but certificates as certified non-poor, validated by the Social Welfare Development Indicator Survey. They will no longer receive monthly Conditional Cash Transfers but have proven that, through hard work and collaboration with local government units (LGUs) and DSWD, they have broken free from poverty,” said Banias.
DSWD Region 6’s 4Ps Division Chief Belen Gebusion emphasized the significance of this achievement, noting that most graduates reached Level 3 due to their self-sufficiency.
She also expressed gratitude to LGUs for implementing aftercare programs to support the families’ continued progress.
Transformative Impact of 4Ps
The ceremony featured stories of transformation from graduates.
Joel Baclagon, a former 4Ps beneficiary from San Rafael town, shared how the program helped him provide for his family.
Once a tahô vendor, Baclagon now serves as a member of the Sangguniang Bayan in his town.
Joanna Marie Setubal, a former monitored child beneficiary, now works as a social welfare officer under the PSWDO.
“The 4Ps grant is not sufficient, but it is an augmentation that enabled us to provide for our families. I am a proud product of 4Ps. This is where your taxes go,” Setubal said.
Another graduate, Analyn Flores of Cabatuan, described the program as a source of hope and inspiration.
“It’s not just financial support; it changes perspectives and behavior, bringing about lasting improvements in our lives,” she said.
About the 4Ps Program
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, aiming to improve health, nutrition, and education for children aged 0-18.
To receive subsidies, beneficiaries must meet several conditions:
* Pregnant women must avail themselves of pre-and post-natal care, and be attended during childbirth by a trained professional.
* Parents or guardians must attend the family development sessions, which include topics on responsible parenting, health, and nutrition.
* Children aged 0-5 must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines
* Children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills twice a year.
* Children-beneficiaries aged 3-18 must enroll in school, and maintain an attendance of at least 85% of class days every month./PN
