MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday commended 526 households for hurdling the stage of sending their children to school through the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Kahit saan tayo tumingin umaabot tayo sa part ng programa kung saan ang mga anak ninyo, nakakatapos ng pag-aaral, nakakahanap ng maayos na trabaho (Wherever we look, we reached the part of the program where your children can finish their studies, can find decent jobs),” Gatchalian said in his speech during the Pugay Tagumpay ceremonial graduation of 562 beneficiaries of 4Ps in Plaridel, Bulacan.
He also recognized the existing 4Ps households for their hard work and dedication to improving their plight despite the challenges they face.
“Ang araw na ito ay selebrasyon dahil sa inyong disiplina, sa inyong pagpupursigi, sa inyong paniniwala na kaya pa nating gawing mas maayos ang ating kinabukasan, iyon ang selebrasyon sa araw na ito. Bibigyan ng pugay ang ating mga 4Ps beneficiaries na ga-graduate dahil naging madali ang mga taong nakalipas (Today, we celebrate because of your discipline, perseverance and belief that we can still make our future better. That’s the reason for the celebration today. We pay tribute to our 4Ps beneficiaries who will graduate despite the hardship in the past years),” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian also assured the graduating 4Ps households of continued support from the DSWD and their local government unit.
“Maaasahan po ninyo na pwede pa rin kayo pumunta sa aming regional office para humingi ng tulong at humingi ng gabay. Mayroon kaming mga programa para sa mga grumaduate na ng 4Ps gaya ng Sustainable Livelihood Program. Ang importante hahakbang tayo (You can still rely on us. You can visit our regional office to seek assistance and guidance. We have programs available for 4Ps graduates, such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program. What’s important is that we continue to move forward),” he said.
Plaridel Mayor Jocell Aimee Vistan-Casaje, in her message of support, emphasized the significant impact of the 4Ps on her constituents who were able to achieve an improved and sustained quality of life.
“Today, as you graduate from the program and look back on the past years, you are witnesses to how the 4Ps has helped every Plarideleño who is here today,” she said.
Mark Anthony Isaac, a 4Ps beneficiary from Plaridel who graduated magna cum laude from Bulacan State University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering this year, encouraged fellow recipients to pursue their dreams through 4Ps.
“Katulad ko, katulad mo kaya natin iangat ang buhay natin dahil may mga programa gaya ng 4Ps na handang tumulong para maputol ang cycle ng kahirapan at umangat ang ating kabuhayan (Like you, like me, we can uplift our lives because there are programs like 4Ps that are ready to help break the cycle of poverty and improve the quality of our life),” Isaac said.
He was also the first runner-up in the National Search for Exemplary Child in 2015.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Vice Governor Alex Castro, who also graced the event, thanked the DSWD for the program that helps fight poverty in the province.
Castro assured the provincial and local governments’ support to the exiting 4Ps beneficiaries.
“Maraming salamat sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Malaki ang naging tulong nito sa ating mga kababayan. Umaasa po kayo sa patuloy na suporta sa mga 4Ps beneficiaries. Ang provincial government ay mga programa at proyekto makakatulong upang tuluyang maingat ang buhay ninyo (Thank you very much to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. It is a big help to our provincemates. Be assured of our continued support to the 4Ps beneficiaries. The provincial government has programs and projects that could help for the continuous upliftment of your lives),” the vice governor said.
Estela dela Cruz Bustamante, a resident of Plaridel and one of the program beneficiaries, thanked the DSWD for the program which transformed their lives.
“Salamat sa DSWD sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na maging member ng 4Ps sa loob ng 10 years. Napakalaking tulong po ang nagawa nito sa aming pamilya. Bagamat hindi pa po kami mayaman pero kami ay nakakaraos na. Nawa po ay magtuloy tuloy na ang pag unlad ng pamilyang Pilipino laban sa kahirapan (Thank you DSWD for giving an opportunity to be a member of 4Ps for 10 years. It is a big help to our family. Although we are not yet rich but we can able to get through. Hopefully, the progress of the Filipino families against poverty will continue),” Bustamante said.
Apart from the 562 graduates from Plaridel, some 144,167 beneficiaries nationwide have already exited from the program after they have been assessed to have achieved a self-sufficient level in their overall well-being. (PNA)