By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
SEQUOIA HOTEL, Quezon City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is celebrating on Tuesday-Wednesday (Aug. 5-6) the 17th Anniversary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as the Philippines’ flagship poverty reduction and social protection program being held here.With the theme: “Labing Pitong Taon ng Pagpupunla: 4Ps, Yumayabong na Pamilya at Pamayanan (17 Years of Sowing Seeds: 4Ps, Flourishing Families and Communities)”, the DSWD, together with partners and beneficiaries, will celebrate the gains of the program in leading poor families towards improved quality of lives and self-sufficiency.
“Since its launch in 2008 and its institutionalization through Republic Act 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps has helped transform lives and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty among its beneficiary households,” said Gemma B. Gabuya, Director IV and 4Ps National Program Manager.
The two-day activity opened on Tuesday with a dialogue titled “Dicisiete: Dayalogo tungkol sa Pagtataya at Pagtataguyod ng Pantawid Pamilya”, to be participated in by national and local stakeholders to assess the seven-year limit on program participation.
Chosen beneficiaries will also join the dialogue to share their experiences and the impact of the program on their lives.
“As 4Ps celebrates this milestone, the program reaffirms its commitment to inclusive development, shared responsibility, and excellence in public service. Through strengthened partnerships, adaptive policies, and the unwavering dedication of our implementers, the 4Ps will continue to sow seeds of hope and lasting progress across the country,” Gabuya added.
According to Gabuya, a review of transition mechanisms for graduating families, and strengthening integration and convergence efforts with the National Advisory Council (NAC), National Technical Working Group (NTWG), and other partners of 4Ps will also be done during the two-day event.
Based on the latest data, the 4Ps program serves a total of 3,905,641 active household beneficiaries.
The celebration will also be recognizing the 4Ps field implementers, partner organizations, and most especially, the exemplary program beneficiaries whose stories reflect the impact of 4Ps in breaking the cycle of poverty.
“Pantawid Pamilya is not just about a conditional cash grant, but it’s about dignity, opportunity, and building a brighter future for Filipino families where no one is left behind,” Gabuya added.
With focus on the 4Ps movers, the culminating program dubbed as “Pagdiriwang ng Pag-unlad ng Pantawid sa loob ng Labing Pitong Taon,” to be held on Wednesday (Aug. 6) is dedicated in honoring the sacrifices and hard work of the 4Ps implementers, partners, and beneficiaries.
The 4Ps is presently implemented in all 18 regions of the Philippines, continuing to strengthen its mandate of human capital development by providing conditional cash transfers to the poorest households in exchange for compliance with health and nutrition, and education requirements. ###
