For the first time, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries will gather simultaneously on Sunday, September 28,  in various venues nationwide for a National Family Day and Convergence Caravan.

 The main event will be in the National Capital Region where almost 10,000 beneficiaries will gather at the Philippine Sports Arena, Pasig City while around 5,000 beneficiaries from each region will join their respective activities.

 With the theme, “Pamilyang Pilipino para sa Pagbabago: Tumatawid na sa Kaunlaran”, the convergence caravan is in observance of the National Family Week, a yearly nationwide celebration held every fourth week of September.

 DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that the theme of the event highlights the Department’s belief that given proper support and right opportunities, the poor will be able to improve their own lives.

 She explained, “We want our beneficiaries to be proud of their efforts to surpass the challenges they face. We want them to claim that the improvements in their lives are the fruits of their own hard work, and we from the government just help them.”

 She added that the event will also be a good avenue for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to meet, interact, and learn from one another.

 “Oftentimes, they only hear of statistics or numbers of beneficiaries from other towns. This gathering will give them the chance to put a face to the numbers and see their fellow beneficiaries,” she said.

A highlight of the activity is the recognition of the winners of Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya,  a yearly search for exemplary family-beneficiaries of the program.

The Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya winners will serve as models of diligence and determination in working for an improved quality of life.

Also during the event,  DSWD will  launch the “Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago” Campaign, which brings into the fore the message that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries have stepped up and worked hard at achieving positive changes in their lives.

Sec. Soliman related that in many of her regional visits and interactions with Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, she was pleased to listen to their inspiring stories of hope and positive changes in their lives.

These stories will be shared during the Sunday event.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of children 0-18 years old from eligible poor households.

It provides cash grants of as much as P1,400 to qualified households provided they comply with the program conditionalities of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for check-up, and attending the Family Development Sessions.

As of August 2014, there are  4,166,638 beneficiaries nationwide registered in the Pantawid Pamilya. ###