The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) weeklong celebration for the second year anniversary of the 4Ps Act or Republic Act No. 11310, concluded with the recognition of its exceptional beneficiaries and model implementers on June 11.
With the theme, ‘SaMa Sama tungo Sa Matatag at Sa Matagumpay na Pamilyang Pilipino!’ the culminating activity served as a venue for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the lead implementing agency of 4Ps, to acknowledge the important contributions and convergence of beneficiaries and partner agencies in achieving the goals of the program.
“The activity today is for us to celebrate these milestones and to further offer our commitment to our one and only goal of making our beneficiaries achieve an improved level of well-being,” 4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma Gabuya emphasized in her message.
Through the event, model local government units (LGUs) implementing 4Ps were given the ‘Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan’ or GAPAS award. The award was given to Licab and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija as the top implementing LGUs for the year 2019 and 2020, respectively. Likewise, Pilar in Bohol Province was accorded with the Model Convergence Award.
Moreover, Best Innovative 4Ps Projects of the different DSWD Field Offices were recognized. Most of these were focused on sustainable livelihood, communal and urban gardening, education, skills training, and psychosocial intervention that help in community development. These projects were based on the lessons from their regular Family Development Sessions (FDS).
The Department also cited the five Best Parent Leaders per region, who exerted exceptional effort in making sure that their member-beneficiaries are compliant to the 4Ps’ conditionalities of sending their children to school, undergoing health check-ups, attending FDS; assisting in program implementation; and implementing their own advocacies to benefit their community.
Furthermore, model implementing-DSWD workers from Central and Field Offices were recognized as ‘Natatanging 4Ps Kawani.’
During the event, former 4Ps National Advisory Council and National Technical Working Group members as well as development partners, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund, Asian Development Bank, World Bank Group, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government, were acknowledged for their support to the program.
“I can attest to the hard work of our colleagues to ensure the smooth working relationship between local governments, national government agencies, private sector, civil society, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to guarantee that the shared vision of improving the lives of the program beneficiaries is attained,” Assistant Secretary Rhea Peñaflor stated as she read the message of Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista.
Meanwhile, the fifth edition of the 4Ps Operations Manual, which carries the tasks and responsibilities of the National Program Management Office down to the regional and local implementing partners, was launched to provide quality services and guide the social workers and employees in the implementation of the program.
The Department vowed to continue to ensure that the 4Ps is on track with its goal as the national anti-poverty program of the country as stipulated in the 4Ps Act. ###
