DSWD EXECS ATTEND 1ST PUBLIC HEARING ON BILL TO STRENGTHEN 4PS THROUGH PARENT LEADERS

By Junex Doronio

MANILA –The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) participated in the first public hearing on House Bill No. 10388, also known as “An Act Strengthening the Effective Implementation of the 4Ps through Parent Leaders Engagement, and Providing Funds Therefor,” held on July 8 and 9 at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City.

4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya, who led the DSWD team that attended the hearing, expressed gratitude to congressmen for inviting them in the public hearing in Eastern Samar.

“The DSWD is thankful that it was invited to participate in this public hearing. It provided the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), most especially the parent leaders, to share their insights on the proposed bill. If it becomes a law, this proposed measure will be more beneficial to the 4.4 million grantees nationwide, most especially the parent leaders,” Director Gabuya said on Friday (12 July 2024).

The HB 10388 aims to provide resources and support to the parent leaders, assistant parent leaders, and parent groups as they perform their mandates in the implementation of the DSWD anti-poverty flagship program.

The public consultation on HB No. 10388 was led by the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation and was presided over by the bill’s principal author, Assistant Minority Leader and Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) Party List Representative Jonathan Clement ‘JC’ Abalos.

Rep. Abalos was also joined by the bill’s co-authors Minority Floor Leader and 4Ps Party List Rep. Marcelino Libanan, and Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Party List Rep. Arlene Brosas.

Prior to the public hearing, the legislators were able to observe the regular program activities of the 4Ps such as the Family Development Sessions (FDS), distribution of the Enhanced Support Services Intervention (ESSI), livelihood cash assistance, and cash card distribution. 

The legislators also visited the livelihood projects of the Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) to gain a better understanding of how the program is implemented on the ground.

A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the parent leaders and associate parent leaders was also

held to learn about their actual experiences.

The two-day activity was conducted in partnership with the DSWD, Borongan City’s Local Government Unit, and ESSU.

The hearing was also attended by DSWD Field Office-8 (Eastern Visayas) Regional Director Grace Subong; ESSU President Dr. Andres Pagatpatan, Jr.; and the 4Ps city/municipal links and parent leaders and assistant parent leaders in the area.

(el Amigo/mnm)