The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) has conferred a child beneficiary from Brgy. Batis, San Juan City as Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child.

Conferred as NCR’s Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child is Jefferson Gaufo, 12 years old and currently in Grade 7 at San Juan National High School. He bested the other nine nominees in the Regional Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child conducted by DSWD-NCR.

Jefferson, fondly called as Jeff is the second in the family of five.  His family has been a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since 2010.

He was adjudged for his consistent top performance in class and active participation in school and community activities.  His intelligent and candid responses to questions from the panel of judges attributed for winning the title.

DSWD-NCR Assistant Regional Director, Delia U. Bawan said that the Search for Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary Child aims to recognize exemplary Pantawid children who serve as excellent examples in their households, schools and communities.  It also aims to encourage the children to be active citizens by complying with the conditions of the program and to harness support from the different stakeholders.

“As exemplary child, Jeff will be present in activities of Pantawid Pamilya that are relevant to children’s rights especially rights to health and education and will serve as advocate of children’s rights,” Director Bawan added.

Aside from the exemplary child award, four other titles were also awarded to Pantawid Pamilya children beneficiaries; Ella Marie  Vellezas of Navotas City was awarded as Child of Wisdom, Jeramy Serida of Manila City as Child of Talent, Pamela Cabidoy of Makati City as Child of Faith and Ma. Rona Curia of Paranaque City as Child of Hope.

The exemplary child received a plaque of appreciation and a cash prize of P10,000.00 while the other awardees received a certificate of participation and a consolation prize of P3,000.00.

Jefferson will compete with other nominees from 16 regions in the national search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children.  Awarding will be held on October 30 at Bay View Hotel during the National Children’s Congress.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a rights based program that invests in children by giving financial assistance to poor households with children aged 0 to 14 so they can continue sending their children to school and provide them proper health and nutrition.  The program believes that by promoting the rights of the children to have education and good health care, poor families have their chances to rise out from poverty. ###