MANILA: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday said 2,260 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in San Jose Del Monte (SJDM) City, Bulacan have officially graduated from the program.
The 4Ps recipients officially achieved their self-sufficiency status through a ‘Pugay Tagumpay’ ceremonial exit held at the Sports Complex in Barangay Minuyan Proper in SJDM City on June 4.
In her message to the graduating beneficiaries, DSWD Assistant Secretary for 4Ps and National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) Marites Maristela underscored the importance of the program and the beneficiaries’ commitment to improving their economic condition and status.
‘Bagama’t ang 4Ps ay nagbigay daan para masuportahan ang mga pangangailangan sa edukasyon at kalusugan ng inyong pamilya sa pamamagitan ng cash grants, higit namin pinagpupugay ang partisipasyon ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya sa pag-abot ng maunlad na pamumuhay (While the 4Ps program has paved the
way to support your family’s education and health needs through cash grants, we especially commend the participation of each family member in striving for a better life),’ she said.
Maristela said the true essence of ‘Pugay Tagumpay’ is the readiness of each 4Ps family to stand on their own feet and the enduring impact of the program on their lives.
The beneficiaries, she said, were taught to dream and became diligent in fulfilling the program’s conditions.
‘Because of this, our children are also learning to help lift their families out of poverty, which we hope will end the cycle of poverty for future generations,’ she added.
Maristela said the 4Ps beneficiaries who exited from the program are proud to have children who were able to graduate from various levels of their education composed of 1,307 elementary finishers; 1,054 high school graduates; and 234 college graduates, some of whom had Latin Honors and have passed various licensure and board examinations for professionals.
The Pugay Tagumpay ceremo
ny was attended by DSWD Central Luzon Field Office Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, SJDM City Mayor Arturo Robes, and other local officials.
The city government of SJDM has also extended assistance to some 4Ps graduates including college scholarships, livelihood assistance packages, and life insurance plans.
Another batch of more than 2,000 exiting 4Ps beneficiaries from the city have yet to officially participate in a Pugay Tagumpay later this year.
Source: Philippines News Agency
