In the quiet coastal village of Barangay Tumarbong, Roxas, Palawan, a story of inspiration and triumph has unfolded in the household of Alexis Gervacio Sumbe, 24, a former Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) monitored child.

Alexis is the second child of Mylene and Alexander Sumbe, simple hardworking fisherfolk who dreamt of giving their children a fulfilling and secure life.

Life, though, has not always been smooth sailing for the Sumbe family, and the trials they faced became the fuel for Alexis’s determination to finish her studies.

“Inspiration ko talaga ang family ko, syempre medyo naghihikahos sa buhay kaya naroon yung eagerness kong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” Alexis shared.

(My family is my inspiration. Of course, we face financial challenges in life, so there is this eagerness in me to finish my studies.)

In October 2023, Alexis stood among the 2,123 individuals who dared to take the Licensure Examination for Fisheries Professionals. Out of this multitude, 716 emerged victorious, and Alexis secured the fifth top spot with an impressive average of 85.50%, a testament to her dedication and academic prowess.

The achievements of Alexis are not just a personal milestone but a concrete proof to the transformative power of education and government support.

To date, the 4Ps program has already produced over 40 board top-notchers and boasts a growing number of more than 4,100 board examination passers.

For Alexis, education is not just a personal triumph but a means to give back to her family that has weathered storms, both literal and figurative.

“Kasi ‘yon lang ang maitutulong ko sa pamilya ko, ang maibibigay kong kapalit sa sakripisyo nila,” Alexis reflected on the significance of her achievement.

(It is the only way I can contribute to my family, to give back for the sacrifices they have made.)

Alexis shared that one of the reasons that helped her family to finish her education was when they became a beneficiary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) 4Ps in 2009.

4Ps is the flagship program of the national government on poverty reduction and social development implemented by the DSWD. It provides cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly of children aged 0-18.

“Maituturing na isa sa mahihirap na mamamayan ng Pilipinas ang aming pamilya bago pumasok sa 4Ps. Simple lamang ang aming pamumuhay. Pangingisda ang pangunahing hanapbuhay ng aking ama. Tumutulong naman ang aking ina na nangangalaga ng tahanan at mahusay na nagba-budget upang matugunan lahat ang aming pangangailangan,” Alexis shared a glimpse of their life.

(Our family was considered as one of the less privileged in the Philippines before entering the 4Ps program. Our way of life is simple. Fishing is the primary livelihood of my father.
My mother, on the other hand, helps in managing the household and is skilled in budgeting to meet all our needs.)

Identified as a struggling family, the program provided them with the much-needed financial grant which ensured that Alexis and her siblings had the needed resources to navigate the challenging waters of academic life.

“Ang programang ito ng DSWD ay lubhang nakatulong sa pag-aaral naming magkakapatid. Mabuti itong programa ng gobyerno kaya’t marapat na sa tamang paraan gamitin,” Alexis emphasized, acknowledging the positive impact of the program.

(This program of the DSWD has greatly helped in our education. It is a good government program, so it is fitting that it be used in the right way.)

With the support from 4Ps, Alexis was not only able to complete her undergraduate studies, but also soared to academic heights.

Now, armed with a degree in Fisheries, she is pursuing her Master of Science in Fisheries majoring in Fisheries Biology at the University of the Philippines Visayas in Iloilo.

As they celebrate their youngest child’s success, the Sumbe family stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with determination and the right support, one can navigate the stormy seas of life and emerge victorious on the other side.

As a national poverty reduction and human capital investment program of the government, the 4Ps offers social protection, social assistance, social development, and additional support services in collaboration with relevant agencies, local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders to enhance the health and nutrition, education, and socio-economic well-being of Filipino households in need.

There are 4.4 million household-beneficiaries of 4Ps nationwide whose journey towards an improved quality of life is marked by their sheer determination and strong belief in the importance of education, complemented by modest help from the government. #