Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally visited Social Pension Program beneficiaries from Barangay Hipit and Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of San Nicolas in Batangas on Thursday (January 22).
In Barangay Hipit, Secretary Gatchalian delivered Php3,000 in social pension to 79-year-old Prescila Agojo, a stroke survivor.
In Barangay Poblacion, the DSWD chief also personally handed over Php3,000 each to 85-year-old Amanda Umandap, a mother of 16 children, and 62-year-old Eddie Cueto, a stroke survivor whose wife is also recovering from a stroke.
With the implementation of Republic Act No. 11916 (An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens), qualified indigent senior citizens receive a monthly stipend of Php1,000 from the previous Php500 per month.
Secretary Gatchalian’s visit highlighted the Department’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens, especially those who are incapable of receiving their Social Pension at payout centers, continue to feel the presence of government support at the community level.
Joining the Secretary were San Nicolas Mayor Lester de Sagun and Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG). (CC)
DSWD chief meets with 4Ps beneficiaries, municipal links in Batangas
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian met with 10 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and 4Ps municipal links in a ‘kumustahan’ session at the San Nicolas Municipal Hall on Thursday (January 22).
During the dialogue, Secretary Gatchalian assured beneficiaries that the 4Ps will continue as he doused speculations that the program may be scrapped in 2026.
The DSWD chief said the Department is continuously proposing reforms to enhance the program, and sought feedback from the beneficiaries.
Secretary Gatchalian likewise exchanged views with municipal links on ways to further improve the program implementation at the local level.
Secretary Gatchalian was also given a surprise birthday cake and a belated greeting for his January 21 birth date.
The DSWD chief was joined by San Nicolas Mayor Lester de Sagun and Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG).
The “kumustahan” with the 4Ps beneficiaries and municipal links marked Secretary Gatchalian’s final stop during his Batangas trip, following his earlier engagements with Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Social Pension beneficiaries in San Nicolas. (CC)
DSWD chief seeks feedback from 4Ps beneficiaries, municipal links in Batangas to strengthen program
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday (January 22) met with 10 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from the municipality of San Nicolas in Batangas to directly hear their experiences, concerns, and suggestions as the government plans to further improve the country’s flagship poverty alleviation program.
During the focus group discussion, the DSWD chief encouraged the 4Ps beneficiaries to speak honestly about how the program has helped their families and where it can still be improved.
“Nag-iikot kami since last year, nakikipagusap sa mga beneficiaries kasi gusto namin maunawaan kung ano yung mga pwedeng maimprove sa programa,” Secretary Gatchalian told the Batangas 4Ps members.
During the meeting, the beneficiaries shared candid reflections on the impact of the program on their daily lives.
Joe, a 4Ps beneficiary and a tailor, highlighted the program’s role in sustaining his grandchildren’s education.
“Masaya ako sa natatanggap ng aking apo para sa kaniyang pag-aaral, pangangailangan. Nagiging karaniwan na ang aming pamumuhay dahil sa pagtutulungan namin. Nairaraos. Malaki po ang naitulong ng 4Ps,” Joe said.
Vivian, another beneficiary, shared that the program helped strengthen their family’s relationship.
“Dahil sa programa, mas naging open ang communication naming mag-asawa sa aming mga anak. Gumagawa po kami ng paraan para mapaganda ang kanilang kinabukasan at mapatapos sila ng pag-aaral,” Vivian shared.
Other beneficiaries echoed the same sentiments, with most of them finding 4Ps as a vital added financial support helping them to get through their everyday lives.
Secretary Gatchalian also assured the beneficiaries that the 4Ps program will continue as he doused speculations that the program may be scrapped in 2026.
“Yung agam-agam niyo na aalisin yung programa ay hindi mangyayari kasi ayaw ng Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na alisin ang programa. Naniniwala siya sa 4Ps, pero ang gusto niya, i-improve natin,” the DSWD chief said.
Following the meeting with beneficiaries, Secretary Gatchalian also held a separate discussion with 4Ps municipal links, where he sought feedback from implementers on the ground and discussed ways to further improve program delivery and monitoring.
The DSWD chief reiterated that discussions like these are crucial as the Department studies possible enhancements to the program to ensure that 4Ps remains responsive to the needs of poor and vulnerable families. (CC)
