Full of new hopes, and brand-new dreams, these are the words that summarized the Virtual Ceremonial Graduation of the 22 household beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Muntinlupa City on September 23, 2021. With the theme, ‘Pugay Tagumpay 2021: Pagkilala sa mga Nagtapos na Benepisyaryo ng 4Ps sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa.’
The Ceremonial Graduation featured 22 household beneficiaries from Muntinlupa City who have successfully exited the Program.
The said Program members were assessed to be self-sufficient households based on the latest results of the following: Social Welfare Development Indicators (SWDI) administration; assessment findings using the Kilos Unlad Case Management Tools; and revalidation output of the assigned case managers.
The activity was graced by the National Program Manager Director Gemma B. Gabuya, DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas, Honorable Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi, Honorable City Vice Mayor Artemio A. Simundac, Representative, Lone District Cong. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, Social Services Department Head Analyn A. Mercado, OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operations Edna J. Sacedor, OIC-Regional Program Coordinator Keren T. Jemina, Area Coordinator Glynice Morta-Yu, and different Program partners and stakeholders who also joined virtually.
In the activity, Muntinlupa City Representative Cong. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” B. Biazon commended the efforts of the families who strived hard in achieving self-sufficiency level of well-being. He highlighted that 4Ps beneficiaries should not permanently rely on the Program since the goal of the Program is to temporarily assist and promote the welfare of the families by investing in education until such time that they achieve an improved socio-economic status.
“Kinilala ng mga Administrasyon ang kahalagahan at kontribusyon sa pag-ahon sa kahirapan ng programa. Bagaman ang programa ay institutionalized, ang layunin nito na ang mga beneficiaries ay hindi magtagal sa programa. Ang nais natin makita ay ang pag-gradweyt ng mga beneficiaries at makatayo sa sariling pamamaraan at hindi umaasa sa programa. Kaya naman pinangalanan itong ‘Pantawid Pamilya’. Hindi nito layunin na permanenteng maging beneficiaries ang mga pamilyang kasapi nito. Kaya nakakatuwa na sa araw na ito may mga pamilya na lalabas na sa programa. Nakamit na nila ang layunin ng 4Ps.” – Cong. Ruffy Biazon said.
Hon. Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi commended the graduating household beneficiaries who achieved the self-sufficiency level of well-being. She emphasized that these achievements are the product of every beneficiary’s untiring effort and commitment to the Program’s conditions and policies.
“Ngayong kayo’y magsisipagtapos na sa Programa, tiwala kami na kayo ay may kakayahan nang matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan at inaasahang patuloy na magiging produktibo at responsableng mamamayan ng ating Lungsod”, said Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi.
Further, DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas stressed that the activity was made possible through the convergence effort of the different Partner Stakeholders and the LGU of Muntinlupa City.
Meanwhile, one of the 22 beneficiaries, Roche P. Tindoc who exited the Program, was featured in the audio-visual Presentation (AVP) showcasing the positive impact of the Program interventions and assistance through Cash Grants, FDS, Seminars and training in Urban Gardening.
“Malaki po yung naitulong ng Pantawid (4Ps) sa buhay naming. Unang-una po sa sarili ko, marami po kasing mga seminar na ibinibigay sa amin. Lalong-lalo na po sa mga FDS, gaya ng livelihood seminars at Urban Gardening. Yung mga bagay na po na iyon ay malaki talaga ang naitulong sa akin at sa aking pamilya”. Said Ms. Roche.
The activity was capped off with a closing message from the City Department Social Services Division (SSD) Analyn A. Mercado as she expressed her gratitude to all the partners, stakeholders, employees, and all the individuals behind the implementation of the 4Ps in the LGU of Muntinlupa.