Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday (October 30) paid tribute to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household-beneficiaries for their resilience in withstanding challenges brought about by poverty while staying together as a family.
“Kung mayroon talagang pamilya na karapat-dapat na bigyan ng parangal, kayo ‘yun—-mga pamilya na kasama namin ngayong hapon—-dahil pinakita ninyo na kahit na anong hamon ay kayang-kaya natin kapag magkakasama ang pamilya,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message during the National Family Congress (NFC) at the Swiss-Belhotel Bluelane in Santa Cruz, Manila.
Anchored on the theme “Pamilyang Pantawid: Matatag sa Hamon, Patuloy sa Pag-unlad”, the celebration, according to the DSWD chief, captured the spirit of every family who has persevered in life.
“Despite the many challenges posed by poverty, we have witnessed how your strength, positivity, and unwavering dedication have become a beacon of hope and inspiration—not just for your communities, but also for the future generation,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that the agency, through the 4Ps, is empowering families to break free from the cycle of poverty, enabling them to create better opportunities for their children, and fostering an environment where every family member can thrive.
“Gayundin, sa ilalim ng 4Ps, layunin nating patatagin ang mga pamilya sa gitna ng pagsubok, tiyakin ang kanilang kalusugan at edukasyon, at higit sa lahat, palakasin ang kanilang kakayahan upang patuloy na umasenso,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
The DSWD chief added: “Sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang aktibidad ng NFC—-tulad ng mga seminar, workshops, at ang ating natatanging parangal para sa Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya—-ipinakikita natin ang kahalagahan ng bawat isa sa inyo bilang mga haligi ng pagbabago.”
As one of the highlights of the event, Secretary Gatchalian awarded 16 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya from the different regions who demonstrated positive Filipino values and maintained family ties despite the challenges brought about by poverty.
Winners from the 16 regions received a plaque of recognition and cash incentive of Php10,000 each, on top of the other prizes provided by their respective DSWD Field Offices.
The DSWD chief also acknowledged the achievement of four former 4Ps monitored children who passed and topped the recently conducted Social Workers Licensure Examination.
Sheena Mae Obispo from Region 5 (Bicol) bagged the first spot in the licensure exam; followed by Brigette Wong from Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) in the fifth spot; Sigfrid Garwil Bugas from Caraga Region in the sixth spot; and Marc Danielle Maceda from Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) in the eighth spot.
“Silang apat ay mga ehemplo na kahit na anong hamon, basta pinagtrabahuhan, pinagsakripisyuhan, walang imposible,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Sheena Mae, the newly registered social worker, said her family instilled on her and her siblings the value of education, inspiring her to finish her studies during the time that she was sick.
“Noong time na po yun ay sakitin ako at bawal magtakbo-tabko at bawal maglaro. During those times po, si Papa, kinakarga nya po ako hanggang sa school. Bundok po kasi yung sa amin, tapos ilog, pero okay lang po sa kanya yun kahit ang tagal ng lakaran. Talagang aabutin sya ng oras. Pero ihahatid nya po ako tapos susunduin nya ulit ako,” Sheena Mae narrated.
Sheen Mae expressed her gratitude to the DSWD and 4Ps for the assistance as well as for helping her discover herself, which led her to take social work.
“Sa DSWD po, sobrang thankful po talaga ako at grateful sa opportunity na binigay sa amin kasi talagang magsustain kung wala kang external resources o kung wala ka man lang ma-expect na pwedeng tumulong sa iyo. Yung DSWD po kasi, aside sa 4Ps, ang laki rin po ng naging help sa akin sa pagdiscover ko sa sarili ko,” said Sheena Mae.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act No. 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transter to poor households for a maximum period of seven years to improve their children’s health, nutrition and education.
