The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has emphasized anew the long-term impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) as an investment in human capital as well as in the future of children by helping them stay in school, achieve their goals, and eventually give back to their communities.
The DSWD shines the spotlight on Lydon Earl Miguel, a former 4Ps monitored child who grew up in a poor household in Antique. Lydon Earl is now a proud member of the DSWD family as a municipal link who handles cases of ‘Pantawid’ program beneficiaries in his home province.
“We want the families and children in 4Ps today to see what is possible. With determination, hard work, and the support of the program, they can achieve their goals and even give back by helping others,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, the DSWD’s spokesperson, said on Tuesday (August 26).
For Lydon Earl, it is payback time to the program that has helped him overcome the challenges of poverty and eventually live up to his aspirations.
“Growing up in a big and poor family was not easy as I aspired to finish college. Not at once had it made me think to give up and stop chasing my dreams. Instead, it empowered me to want more in my life. The struggles of my childhood gave me the determination to succeed,” Lydon Earl shared in a social media post, reflecting on his childhood.
The former 4Ps monitored child said his parents had to work away from home, while he and his siblings learned to take care of themselves.
“I forced myself to learn even simple household tasks like cooking our meals, washing my own clothes, and cleaning our house because I thought that was the only way I could help my parents and siblings. These have helped as I sought work from nearby homes to earn a penny for my allowance and food in school,” Lydon Earl said.
In 2009, the Miguel family was enrolled in 4Ps, which Lydon Earl said was a big help in his “desire to reach my dreams.”
“I am very grateful because with the help of 4Ps, I was inspired to do well in my studies and graduate with honors,” Lydon Earl shared.
With the support of the program, the former 4Ps monitored child was able to finish senior high school in 2018.
To sustain himself and help his parents, he learned different skills such as massage, landscaping, and freelance makeup artistry, which allowed him to earn extra income.
“Thanks to my ‘Suking Customers’, I was able to support my studies in college and help my parents financially,” Lydon Earl shared.
In 2022, his family officially graduated from 4Ps, the same year he began serving as a local government unit (LGU) link in Tibiao, Antique.
By July 2023, he formally joined DSWD’s 4Ps as a Project Development Officer II – Municipal Link, first in San Jose and later in Valderrama.
The now 4Ps personnel said serving families who are still in the program brings him fulfillment, especially during community activities.
“Through my learnings and experiences, it gave me the courage to step forward and become part of the program. To give back and help my fellow beneficiaries achieve their dreams,” Lydon Earl explained.
The municipal link added that one of his favorite tasks is facilitating family development sessions (FDS) where he teaches parents practical life skills while also learning from their stories.
“My favorite part of this job is during the conduct of FDS, where I’m teaching parents and guardians valuable life skills and awareness of community. It is also the time when I hear different stories of the beneficiaries that I am able to learn from them too,” Lydon Earl said.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity that I can share and inspire the beneficiaries through my success story,” the former 4Ps monitored child said.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao encouraged other families in the program to draw inspiration from the Miguel family’s journey, stressing that every child in the 4Ps has the potential to succeed if given the right support.
The 4Ps is the flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development implemented by the DSWD which provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education, particularly for children aged 0-18. (YADP)
