Sheena Mae Obispo placed first among 7,113 passers in the 2024 Social Worker Licensure Examination, which took place last September 16-18.
Obispo, who is a recent graduate of Bicol University and whose mother became a grantee of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2011, was appointed as Project Development Officer II in the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V on October 1.
“Punong-puno po ng gratitude ang puso ko ngayon at ang buong family ko. Isa lamang po akong ‘tip of the iceberg.’ Ako po ang nakikita ninyo ngayon, ngunit sa likod ng tagumpay na ito ay ang gobyerno, lalo na ang 4Ps, na nagbigay sa amin ng iba’t ibang oportunidad,” she said.
(My heart and my whole family are full of gratitude right now. I am only the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ What you see now is me, but beneath this success is the government, especially the 4Ps, which gave us various opportunities.)
DSWD Regional Director Norman Laurio led the signing of Obispo’s appointment and oath-taking ceremony on October 1, 2024. The day also served as Araw ng Parangal, where the DSWD recognized the outstanding performance of Obispo as a 4Ps beneficiary.
“You have inspired more than 400,000 4Ps beneficiaries across the region and 4.4 million nationwide. DSWD is extremely proud of your achievement,” RD Laurio said.
In a speech, Obispo encouraged other beneficiaries like her and her brother currently pursuing college education to aim high and make the most of the government assistance provided to them.
“Maaari kong ipagmalaki sa harap ng lahat ng ang 4Ps ay higit pa sa ayuda. Ako ay patunay na hindi tayo doleout,” she said.
(I can boast in front of everyone that the 4Ps are more than just help. I am proof that we are not doling out.)
Obispo is from Panoypoy, Camalig, Albay. Her father worked in construction and as a painter, while her mother was a housewife.
The Obispo family utilized the 4Ps aid in starting up a vegetable as well as a fishball stall. (PIA5)
