SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Mimaropa recently conducted a graduation ceremony for 407 exiting beneficiaries of 4Ps from the municipalities of Rizal, Magsaysay, and Calintaan, marking the beneficiaries’ attainment of self-sufficient status and concluding their time as benefactors of the program.
DSWD 4Ps Provincial Link Kathryn Bulla explained that the ceremony also served as a formal endorsement of the exiting beneficiaries to their respective local government units (LGUs) for their after-care.
“Kaya po may ganitong event kasi kasama po ito doon sa formal na endorsement sa kanila sa LGU kasi…maaaring may mga vulnerability pa rin itong mga households na ito. Para naman yung gains na na-achieve nila sa program ay hindi masayang,” Bulla added.
The Provincial SWD Officer Rosalinda Lamoca assured that the Provincial Government is ready and equipped, and pledged to provide relief and support for the exiting beneficiaries.
“Alam ko po, posibleng kayo ay hindi na mangailangan, pero kayo naman po ang hihingan namin ng tulong kasi kayo po ang magiging katuwang namin sa pag-agapay sa pagpasok ng mga bagong 4Ps beneficiaries…Kami po ay nagangako na hindi naming kayo pababayaan. Kayo po ay aming tutugunan at gagabayan sa patuloy na pagtupad, paglalakbay tungo sa tagumpay ng ating buhay,” Lamoca added.
4Ps beneficiaries received educational grants ranging from Php 300.00 to Php 700.00 per child, with a maximum of three children per family, Php 750.00 for the family’s health needs, and a Php 600.00 rice allowance. These benefits were given to the beneficiaries every month for a maximum of seven (7) years.
In addition, the beneficiaries are entitled to PhilHealth coverage and are priority recipients of DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and its other appropriate programs.
“Priority sila kasi ‘yon ‘yong aim [ng program] na matulungan silang magkaroon ng kumikitang kabuhayan, [at] maging sustainable ang [kanilang] pamumuhay. Kasi hindi naman permanent yung [4Ps]. Para [kapag] dumating ‘yong time na kagaya nito na mage-exit na sila, kahit papaano kaya nilang tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa,” the Provincial Link added.
Marilou Leido, an exiting beneficiary from Magsaysay, shared that the program helped her provide for the schooling of her children and improve their health which was impaired due to poverty.
“Sa pag-aaral [ng aking mga anak], maipagmamalaki ko silang honor student. Nagtapos po ang aking panganay ng high school ng with high honor at ngayon at 3rd year college na sa kursong BS Education major in Mathematics at ang bunso ko pong anak ay nagtapos po nitong last graduation sa high school na with honors at ngayon ay 1st year college na sa PCIC sa kursong civil engineering,” Leido proudly shared.
She also said that their family was also able to start a small business, selling 'kakanin' or native delicacy, and a sari-sari store. Alongside her job as a Barangay Health Worker and her husband’s work on the farm, these livelihood opportunities are what sustains their family today.
The program targets poor and near-poor families, including farmers, fisherfolks, homeless, families, indigenous peoples (IPs), informal settlers, and those who are living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
Bulla emphasized that the 4Ps aim to combat inter-generational poverty by investing in children’s education and health. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa-OccMin)
