The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recognizes the role of the 151,781 parent leaders of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the successful implementation of the country’s national poverty reduction strategy.

“Kayong mga parent leaders ay hindi lang basta mga benepisyaryo o grantees, kayo ay aming mga katuwang sa pagpapatupad, paghahanda, at pagpapabuti ng ating programa,” 4Ps National Program Manager (NPM) and Director Gemma Gabuya said during the first Sorsogon Provincial Parent Leaders Congress and Mental Health Awareness Activity held at the Sorsogon City Gymnasium on Monday (June 29).

Director Gabuya, who was the event’s guest speaker, stressed that parent leaders must be equipped with decision-making skills, adept in planning, and filled with passion, as these are the qualities that a parent leader must possess, as an important agent in the development of their families and communities.

“Kahit pa gaano kahirap ang isang tao o may disability man siya, ito ay hindi hadlang basta’t tinataglay niya ang tamang attitude. Ibig-sabihin ay may pagbabago ng pananaw, pagbabago sa sarili na ikaw ay may kakayanan bilang isang parent leader,” the 4Ps national program manager pointed out.

Organized by the Sorsogon Provincial Government, the Parent Leaders Congress gathered 700 parent leaders from various municipalities including Barcelona, Bulan, Bulusan, Gubat, Irosin, Matnog, Prieto Diaz, Sta. Magdalena, Casiguran, Pilar, Donsol, Magallanes, Castilla, Juban, and Sorsogon City.

Of the 151,781 parent leaders nationwide, 15,792 are from the Bicol Region, which has the highest number of parent leaders in the country.

According to Director Gabuya, 2,343 parent leaders in the province of Sorsogon are actively participating and helping in the implementation of the program in their communities.

“Sa loob ng 15 taon, nakapaglaan na ng Php900 bilyon ang national government agency para sa Parent Leaders Program at ang pagtitipon na ito ay itinuturing na isa sa mga bunga at tagumpay ng programa,” Director Gabuya said as she emphasized the commitment of the national government to the Parent Leaders Program.

The 4Ps national program manager also shared that the agency is advocating for the enactment of House Bill No. 10388 or “An Act Strengthening the Effective Implementation of the 4Ps Through Parent Leaders Engagement, and Providing Funds Thereof.”

The legislative measure, according to Director Gabuya, is expected to provide essential resources and support to parent leaders, which later on will benefit the 4.4 million 4Ps household beneficiaries nationwide.

Present during the event were 4Ps Party-list Representative Jonathan Clement Abalos, Sorsogon City Mayor Ma. Ester E. Hamor, Provincial Board Member on Committee on Family and Community Marla Nini Ravanilla, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Blesilda Bontigao, and City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Josie Jadie.

The First Parent Leaders Congress and Mental Health Awareness Activity served as a platform to empower parent leaders and emphasize their vital role in local planning, community mobilization, and facilitating family development sessions. #