The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducted Pilot Graduation Ceremony on March 8, 2021 which was held at the Executive Hall, Mandaluyong City with the theme, “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, Kaakibat ng Matatag at Matagumpay na Pamilyang Pilipino Tungo sa Pagpapaunlad ng Pamayanan”.
The graduation ceremony featured the initial 21 household members from Mandaluyong City who have successfully exited from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The said Program members were assessed to be self-sufficient households based on the latest result of Social Welfare Development Indicators (SWDI) administration, assessment findings using the Kilos Unlad Case Management Tools, and revalidation output of the assigned case managers.
The graduation ceremony was graced by the DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Honorable Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos, National Program Manager Gemma B. Gabuya, DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas, OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operations Edna J. Sacedor, Regional Program Coordinator Joel D. Cam and Area Coordinator Aileen R. Salsinha.
The ceremony was also attended by the Program partners and stakeholders from the different National Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sectors and DSWD Regional Directors from various regions who witnessed the ceremonial graduation of the 21 beneficiaries on the aforementioned activity.
National Program Agency representative, DTI Division Chief NCRO Area 3 Ms. Elma Viray and Civil Society Organization, International Holistic Engagement for Life and Progress Pastor Edna Medrano were among the Program Partners who gave their inspirational message to the graduating Program household members.
The Program household member grantees from Mandaluyong City who graduated from the program include; Amado B. Mendez, Belinda D. Barbo, Mario J. Rollepa, Rowena U. De Castro, Lourdes C. Campano, Elena B. Abobo, Teresa C. Guettap, Rosalinda N. Aspacio, Cermi Jean V. Soliman, Elizabeth S. Evagalio, Mar. Teresa R. Cuevas, Beverly C. Carrascal, Prescilla G. Mejia, Rowena M. Pilarija, Florita B. Sevilla, Benita C. Luche, Marisol D. Gimao, Zenaida B. Febrada, Regina A. Geal, Juliana S. Dumalagan and. Analyn A. Diotoy
The ceremony also highlighted the signing of Specific Implementation Agreement (SIA) using the City Ordinance No. 2980 Series of 2021, a resolution granting an Authority to the Honorable City Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos to enter and sign the Specific Implementation Agreement between DSWD-NCR and City of Mandaluyong for the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to ensure the inclusion of 4Ps agenda in the LGU’s social welfare programs for expanded and continued aftercare services to the exited Program household members.
Mayor Carmelita A. Abalos presented City Ordinance No. 817 Series of 2021 also known as “An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Expanded Benefits of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Beneficiaries in the City of Mandaluyong” which aims to give 4Ps household members beneficial access to the guaranteed and continued preferential access to City Social Welfare Programs, grant City Scholarships, employment assistance, medical assistance and other interventions and services.
Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista encouraged 4Ps household members to serve as an “inspiration” to their communities as well as their fellow Program members.
“Kayo ang magiging mukha ng Programa. Sa tuwing maririnig nila ang Programang 4Ps, una nilang maiisip ang benepisyaryong nagsusumikap, may pangarap, mga pamilyang kaisa ang pamahalaan na maiangat ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay taliwas sa mga negatibong balita tungkol sa Programa. Patuloy ninyong palawigin ang inyong kaalaman at manatili sa inyong kaisipan ang lahat ng inyong natutunan sa Programa lalo na mula sa Family Development Sessions. Hangad namin ang inyong pag-unlad at hindi bumalik sa kahirapan”, he said as he closed his speech.
The DSWD-NCR Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Pilot Graduation Ceremony in Mandaluyong City is one of the highlights of the Pantawid Pamilya as the Program is celebrating its 2nd year of institutionalization as a National Poverty Reduction Strategy of the government this April 2021 by virtue of the R.A. No. 11310 known as “An Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)”.
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