By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With its goal to finally break what it calls the intergenerational cycle of poverty, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-National Program Management Office (4Ps-NPMO), has reiterated its advocacy for the self-sufficiency of 4Ps beneficiaries.
This was stressed during a multi-stakeholder forum on Thursday (27 June 2024) at the Lucky Chinatown Hotel in the City of Manila.
“Makikita natin na iisa lang ang ating misyon, to break the vicious cycle of intergenerational cycle of poverty. Maraming mga insights kaninang sinabi [ang mga resource persons] na maaaring tutukan ng ating mga partners kung ano ang mga kakulangan para ang isang household na tatawid ay magkaroon ng higher level of well-being,” DSWD National Household Targeting System and 4Ps Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera said.
The forum with the theme “4Ps: Towards Beneficiaries’ Self-sufficiency” was aimed at discussing and strategizing on how to further enhance the program’s impact and sustainability among the representatives from both national and local government, private sector partners, and with the beneficiaries themselves.
Cabrera underscored that the forum provided a platform for the DSWD and its partners to determine gaps that needed to be addressed in pursuit of the self-sufficiency of the 4Ps beneficiaries.
She thanked the partner stakeholders for assisting the DSWD in continuously improving the 4Ps as she cited the latest digital financial literacy initiative with financial service providers.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong tulong at sa inyong paggabay sa ating beneficiaries during the digital financial literacy activities,” Cabrera said.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that the “e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan” financial digital initiative aims to educate, inform, and encourage beneficiaries to utilize digital applications for managing their finances, especially for the beneficiaries living in remote areas.
“Huwag kayong magsawang tumulong sa amin para at least matulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan in the vulnerable sector. So, at this point, I wish to thank you all for coming over [to the forum],” Undersecretary Cabrera added.
For her part, 4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya highlighted the critical role of collaboration among all stakeholders in achieving the program goals of self-sufficiency for its beneficiaries.
“Kung ano man po ang mga milestone na na-achieve ng program, you are part of that. Kasama po kayo [mga partners]. Kaya sa araw na ito, we will again reminisce and celebrate ang ating mga contributions. Nandito tayong lahat, sabi nga, we talk about partnership, we talk about convergence, we talk about whole of nation approach,” Gabuya pointed out.
The 4Ps national program manager also urged the beneficiaries to actively play their part in the overall effort to fight poverty.
“They [4Ps beneficiaries] will be the ones to stop the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Iyon po ang long term goal ng programa. [Ang] short term, makapag-aral ang mga anak ng mga mahihirap. We have to invest in their education and health because naniniwala tayo na the more the children are in school, the greater or the higher chance of getting out of poverty,” Gabuya explained.
During the forum, select 4Ps beneficiaries from five regions who have excelled in their respective professional board examinations, alongside a diverse range of stakeholders such as development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and local government, shared their insights and experiences on the program.
The forum is part of the 5th anniversary celebration of Republic Act No. 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Act of 2019 which paved the way for the institutionalization of the 4Ps.
The forum was attended by the member agencies of the 4Ps National Advisory Council, National Technical Working Group, development partners, provincial social welfare and development offices, and 4Ps beneficiaries.
The DSWD, through its 4Ps-NPMO, continues to call for support from its partners in helping 4Ps beneficiaries achieve their desired well-being through the provision of conditional cash grants for the education, health, and nutrition of their children.
(el Amigo/mnm)
