A new journey for a new beginning, these are the words that encapsulate the 18 exiting household beneficiaries as they take their concluding moment in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) during the Virtual Ceremonial Graduation in Las Piñas City via Zoom conference last July 28, 2021. With the theme, ‘Pugay Tagumpay 2021: Pagkilala sa mga Nagtapos na Benepisyaryo ng 4Ps sa Lungsod ng Las Piñas’.
The Ceremonial Graduation featured 18 household beneficiaries from Las Piñas 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 DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas, Honorable Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Las Piñas, Dr. Joel T. Torrecampo, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) City Government Department Head, Junet M. Barilla, 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, Dr. Torremcampo encouraged the Beneficiaries to lead and guide their children to be the next ‘Hidilyn Diaz’ of Las Pinas City. He highlighted that giving hope and inspiration to the children may boost their desire to become successful in their chosen careers in life.
“Ang sama-samang tugon ng bawat Ahensiya ay mahalaga upang magkaroon ng katuparan ang ating mga mag-aaral na ito [4Ps Monitored Children in Las Piñas City] na nakatapos sa ating Lungsod dito sa Las Pinas. Bigyan natin sila ng oportunidad na magkaroon ng panibagong sigla at kinabukasan sa kanilang buhay hari nawa. Balang araw ay magamit nila ito sa kanilang tagumpay at maging isa sa mga tatanghaling Hidilyn Diaz o ng iba pang mga sikat nating mamamayan sa Lungsod ng Las Pinas.” Dr. Torrecampo added.
Hon. Mayor Imelda T. Aguillar 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.
“Sa punto na ito inyo nang narating ang self-sufficiency level, ako ay lubos na naliligayahan sapagkat inyo nang masusuportahan ang inyong mga sarili at makapagsisimula sa pagbabago ng takbo ng inyong buhay.” Mayor Aguillar said.
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 Las Piñas City.
“Kahit tayo ay nasa pandemya, talagang ang mga Programs at Services ng DSWD ay patuloy pa rin po nating ini-implement at ito po ay nagkakaroon ng kahalagahan, relevance, at impact sa ating mga beneficiaries dahil po sa hands-on effort ng ating mga partners, stakeholders, CSOs, NGAs, NGOs at higit sa lahat ang mga namumuno ng Local Advisory Council of Las Piñas City.” Said Regional Director Tomas.
Further, one of the 18 beneficiaries who exited the Program, Wenifreda A.Bansale gave her heartfelt gratitude speech via audio-visual presentation (AVP) to the Program for the continuous support and benefits that her family took during their stay in the Pantawid Pamilya.
“Kami po sa IHELP, kami po ay patuloy na tutulong at magcocommit po kami hanggang wakas, hanggang nandiyan ang Pantawid. Patuloy pong tutulong si IHELP habang nandiyan ang Programang ito [4Ps]. In fact, willing po kaming mag expand ng mga services kung saan kami kailangan”. Pastor Podador said.
The activity was capped off with a closing message from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) City Government Department Head, Junet M. Barilla. She expressed her gratitude to all the partners, stakeholders, employees, and all the individuals behind the implementation of the 4Ps in the LGU of Las Piñas.
The DSWD-NCR Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Graduation Ceremony in Las Piñas City is one of the highlights as the Program celebrates its 2nd anniversary as an institutionalized Program of the Department under R.A. No. 11310 known as “An Act Institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)”.