By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
SEQUOIA HOTEL, Quezon City — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday (Aug. 5) cited the increase of the number of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from 1.5 million to 3 million.
Gemma B. Gabuya, Director IV and 4Ps National Program Manager, said “In every anniversary, talagang ni-rerecall natin kung saan tayo nag-umpisa at kung nasaan tayo ngayon.”
Gabuya noted that in 2022, during the first SONA of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the target was 9% or single-digit poverty incidence by 2028.
To attain this, Gabuya said, the DSWS should improve its services.
“We would like all our graduates of 4Ps to achieve the level 3,” she said.
It was noted that there is now a 15.5% poverty incidence.
Convergence is mandated under Section 9 of RA 11310.
Gabuya cited the creation of the National Advisory Council (NAC), and the following year the inclusion of the local government units (LGUs).
She also cited that in 2022-2023, the creation of the strategic framework of the NAC. “Pugay Tagumpay Relocation” and 62 RAC Resolutions 2020-2025.
The President himself announced and recognized “meron nang nagtagumpay from 1.5 million to 3 million 4Ps beneficiaries”
“Sila’y hindi sumuko. Sila’y nagtagumpay,” Gabuya said.
“Institutionalize convergence, with the commitment of PHP900 million, implement monitoring and harmonize communications plan,” she added.
“We should come up with one commitment that all 4Ps beneficiaries should graduate where they should be willing to change and provide solution to their problems and the DSWD is only assisting them,” Gabuya said.
“We need institutionalize formal convergence wherein all the stakeholders will participate,” she added. ###
