The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII conducted the 2019 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Regional Family Day with the theme, “Pamilyang Pilipino, Taas-noo sa Buong Mundo” in Ormoc City on September 30, 2019.
The event is one of the Department’s strategies to celebrate and highlight the importance of families as basic units of the society, and to understand the rights and responsibilities of each member.
“4Ps teaches the family beneficiaries to become models who strive hard to help themselves and their communities, and it aspires to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by improving the disposition of all the members of the family towards life, so they can eventually stand on their own feet,” shared by Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan.
The Family Day highlighted the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya and Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children which intend to acknowledge and showcase the stories of partner beneficiaries who have been able to demonstrate positive Filipino values and create a valuable impact in their respective communities despite the challenges brought about by poverty.
“Ang 4P ay hindi lamang tungkol sa cash grants. Ang pinakamahalagang naibibigay sa amin ng programa ay ang iba’t ibang mga oportunidad tulad ng FDS kung saan marami kaming natututunan gaya ng Responsible Parenthood na humihikayat sa amin na patuloy na magsumikap para sa kinabukasan ng pamilya at hindi sumuko sa anumang hamon ng buhay,” expressed by 4Ps mother grantee Genalyn Labong.
The Labong Family from Brgy. New Minarog, Motiong, Samar, was chosen as the 2019 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. Finalists were Acala Family (Brgy. Talolora, Tanauan, Leyte), Campilan Family (Brgy. Laca, Padre Burgos So. Leyte), Pacayra Family (Brgy. Putong, San Julian Eastern Samar), Talaña Family (Brgy. Catmon, Naval, Biliran) and Sorio Family (Brgy. Roxas, Mondragon, Northern Samar).
Frankie Cainong from Mercedes, Eastern Samar, was awarded as the 2019 Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child. He bested five provincial nominees namely, Jesha Marie Pamugas (Mayorga, Leyte), Gem Glyzel Bargaos (Pintuyan, So. Leyte), Jemieca Talaña (Naval, Biliran), Anthony Kyle Erano (Catarman, Northern Samar), and Lymsky Gabiana (Motiong, Samar).
The winners will serve as 4Ps ambassadors during Family Development Sessions and in any activity where they could share their knowledge and experiences as partner beneficiaries.
During the event, the Department also recognized key stakeholders for their contributions to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Partners in the field of health and education, namely, Nurse Feliberto Francisco Sison (Motong Rural Health Unit, Motiong Samar) and Teacher Christopher Mañozo (Ramon T. Diaz National High School, Gandara, Samar) were awarded as Best Stakeholders.
Another milestone celebrated that day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between DSWD and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) represented by 802nd Infantry Brigade Commanding Officer Lope C. Dagoy to strengthen peace-building initiatives and delivery of social services through the Family Development Sessions (FDS) of 4Ps.
The 4Ps Family Day 2019 was graced by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, Councilor Lalaine Marcos, Department of Education RO VIII representative Robert Jardin, Save the Children Program Coordinator Zenona Gread, and representatives from the 78th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is an investment on the education and health of children from poor families through a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) strategy wherein program beneficiaries receive cash grants upon compliance to conditions including the 85% school attendance rate, regular health center visits, and attendance to FDS.
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