A senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has confirmed that the family of the viral sampaguita vendor was a 4Ps household-beneficiary for 10 years and has since exited from the program.
Director Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager (NPM), told the DSWD Thursday Media Forum on January 23 that the ‘sampaguita girl’ named Jeny and her two siblings were former 4Ps monitored children who were separated from the program because they were no longer eligible to receive grants as they are already above 18 years old.
“Pumasok sila as elementary at nakapagtapos na naman sila ng high school before they exited the program,” Director Gabuya told reporters at the Media Forum.
“Marami kaming naibagay na programa sa pamilya kasi unang-una sila ay naging homeless kasi nandun sila sa kariton kasi nasunugan sila so nagbigay ang 4Ps ng isang taon ng pang-rent ng bahay,” the 4Ps-NPM added.
From 2014 to 2024, Jeny’s family received cash grants from 4Ps and other interventions, including Php15,000 grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Enhanced Support Service Interventions (ESSI) worth Php15,000, and 6,500 Alternative Family Home (AFH) assistance to pay for their house rent.
Before Jeny and her family exited from the program, Director Gabuya said the DSWD assured Jeny’s family that they will be properly referred to the City Social Welfare and Development Department of the Quezon City local government unit (LGU).
“Bago naman sila nag-exit ay inihabilin naman natin sila sa local government ng Quezon City…hindi ibig sabihin na wala na sa 4Ps ay wala nang services, tuloy-tuloy pa rin pero this time, ating mga partner agencies,” Director Gabuya pointed out.
The 4Ps is the flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development implemented by the DSWD. The program provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, particularly for children aged 0-18. (AKDL)
Tagalog Version
Viral sampaguita girl, kinumpirma ng DSWD na dating 4Ps member ang pamilya
Kinumpirma ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) na dating benepisyaryo ng 4Ps ang pamilya ng viral sampaguita vendor sa loob ng sampung taon bago ito mag-exit sa programa.
Sa ginanap na Media Forum sa DSWD New Press Center nitong Huwebes (January 23) sinabi ni Director Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager (NPM), na former monitored children ang viral ‘sampaguita girl’ na si Jeny at dalawa pa nitong kapatid. Sila ay nakapag-exit na sa programa dahil lagpas na sa edad na 18 taong gulang.
“Pumasok sila as elementary at nakapagtapos na naman sila ng high school before they exited the program,” sabi ni Director Gabuya told reporters.
“Marami kaming naibigay na programa sa pamilya kasi unang-una sila ay naging homeless kasi nandun sila sa kariton kasi nasunugan sila so nagbigay ang 4Ps ng isang taon ng pang-rent ng bahay,” sabi pa ni Director Gabuya.
Dagdag pa niya, mula 2014 hanggang 2024, ang pamilya ni Jeny ay nakakatanggap ng cash grants mula sa 4Ps at iba pang interventions, kabilang ang Php15,000 grant mula sa Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Enhanced Support Service Interventions (ESSI) na Php15,000, at 6,500 Alternative Family Home (AFH) assistance para sa pagbayad ng renta ng bahay.
“Bago naman sila nag-exit ay inihabilin naman natin sila sa local government ng Quezon City…hindi ibig sabihin na wala na sa 4Ps ay wala nang services, tuloy-tuloy pa rin pero this time, ating mga partner agencies,” sabi ni Director Gabuya.
Ang 4Ps, ay inilunsad noong 2008 at naisabatas ng taong 2019 batay sa Republic Act No. 11310 o 4Ps Act, na nagbibigay ng cash grants sa mahigit sa 4 million households at nagbibigay ng subsidy sa mga anak upang makapagtapos ng elementary at senior high school. Nagbibigay din ang programa ng health at nutrition grants.# (MVC)
