The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-National Program Management Office (4Ps-NPMO), has reiterated its advocacy for the self-sufficiency of 4Ps beneficiaries during a multi-stakeholder forum on Thursday (June 27) at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel in the City of Manila.
The forum with the theme “4Ps: Towards Beneficiaries’ Self-sufficiency” was aimed at discussing and strategizing on how to further enhance the program’s impact and sustainability among the representatives from both national and local government, private sector partners and with the beneficiaries themselves.
In her message, DSWD National Household Targeting System and 4Ps Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera said the forum provided a platform for the DSWD and its partners to determine gaps that needed to be addressed in pursuit of the self-sufficiency of the 4Ps beneficiaries.
“Makikita natin na iisa lang ang ating misyon, to break the vicious cycle of intergenerational cycle of poverty. Maraming mga insights kaninang sinabi na maaaring tutukan ng ating mga partners kung ano ang mga kakulangan para ang isang household na tatawid ay magkaroon ng higher level of well-being,” Undersecretary Cabrera said. (… There were several insights shared that can be used by our partners to determine the gaps that hinder our beneficiaries from attaining a higher level of well-being.)
Undersecretary Cabrera thanked the partner-stakeholders for assisting the DSWD in continuously improving the 4Ps as she cited the latest digital financial literacy initiative with financial service providers.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong tulong at sa inyong paggabay sa ating beneficiaries during the digital financial literacy activities,” Undersecretary Cabrera said. (Thank you for your help and guidance to our beneficiaries during our financial literary activities.)
The “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” financial digital initiative aims to educate, inform, and encourage beneficiaries to utilize digital applications for managing their finances, especially for the beneficiaries living in remote areas.
“Huwag kayong magsawang tumulong sa amin para at least matulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan in the vulnerable sector. So, at this point, I wish to thank you all for coming over ,” Undersecretary Cabrera said. (Do not get tired of working with us to help our countrymen in the vulnerable sector. … I wish to thank you for coming over.)
In her opening remarks, 4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya highlighted the critical role of collaboration among all stakeholders in achieving the program goals of self-sufficiency for its beneficiaries.
“Kung ano man po ang mga milestone na na-achieve ng program, you are part of that. Kasama po kayo . Kaya sa araw na ito, we will again reminisce and celebrate ang ating mga contributions. Nandito tayong lahat, sabi nga, we talk about partnership, we talk about convergence, we talk about whole of nation approach,” Director Gabuya pointed out.
(Whatever milestones that we have achieved, you are part of that. Today, we will again reminisce and celebrate our contributions. We are all here to talk about partnership, convergence, whole-of-nation approach.)
The 4Ps national program manager also urged the beneficiaries to actively play their part in the overall effort to fight poverty.
“They will be the ones to stop the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Iyon po ang long term goal ng programa. short term, makapag-aral ang mga anak ng mga mahihirap. We have to invest in their education and health because naniniwala tayo na the more the children are in school, the greater or the higher chance of getting out of poverty,” Director Gabuya explained.
(They will be the ones to stop the intergenerational cycle of poverty. That is the long term goal of the program. The short term is for their children to go to school.)
During the forum, select 4Ps beneficiaries from five regions who have excelled in their respective professional board examinations, alongside a diverse range of stakeholders such as development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and local government, shared their insights and experiences on the program.
The forum is part of the 5th anniversary celebration of Republic Act No. 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Act of 2019 which paved the way for the institutionalization of the 4Ps.
The forum was attended by the member-agencies of the 4Ps National Advisory Council, National Technical Working Group, development partners, provincial social welfare and development offices, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
The DSWD, through its 4Ps-NPMO, continues to call for support from its partners in helping 4Ps beneficiaries achieve their desired well-being through the provision of conditional cash grants for the education, health, and nutrition of their children. #
