DSWD XI 4Ps, SLP, partner agencies, LGU representatives, and the graduate beneficiaries celebrate through a group picture-taking the success of the pilot graduation and exit ceremony dubbed, Breakthrough 2022.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), conducted the pilot ceremonial exit and graduation of the 4Ps beneficiaries, particularly in Davao City, dubbed as “Breakthrough 2022: The Pilot Ceremonial Exit and Graduation Ceremony.” The ceremony was held at Felcris Centrale, Davao City, last November 25, 2022, and attended by the first batch of 150 household graduates.

The activity highlighted the recognition of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who were validated to have reached a significant milestone in their economic and social status. Hence, these households will be transitioned to graduation, which included the exited beneficiaries based on Section 34 from the IRR of R.A. 11310 which stated the qualifications of the beneficiaries deemed to exit from the Program. Out of the 150 beneficiaries, 82 were identified as graduates and 68 households were exited from the program. Most of the graduating households were identified as gainfully employed and or self-employed in a variety of occupations and sources of living.

DSWD FO XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong happily congratulates one of the 4Ps graduates in Davao City.

One of the graduates, Mr. Nimel John Laid from Baguio Poblacion, Baguio District of Davao, shared his testimony and left the message, “Ako po at kaming lahat na graduates ay ang nagpapatunay kung gaano kalaki ang naitulong ng 4Ps sa aming mga pamilya. Sa DSWD, daghang salamat kaayo, ma’am/sir, dako kaayo og impact ni sa akong kinabuhi. Sana magpatuloy po ang programa para makasali pa ang mga deserving na pamilya at makaangat din sa kanilang pamumuhay. (We, the graduates, are the living proof of how much help 4Ps had given to our families. To DSWD, thank you very much, ma’am/sir. The program has given my life a great impact. We wish this program continues so that the other deserving poor families will have the chance to uplift their lives.)”

Davao City 4Ps graduate, Nimel John Laid (right) and wife (left) take a picture souvenir with DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong (middle) during the Breakthrough 2022: Graduation and Exit Ceremony.

Aside from the recognition and testimony, the ceremony also called for messages of encouragement for them to persevere in their endeavors and pursue long-term self-sufficiency to overcome the cycle of poverty. Moreover, with the presence of the officials from the Local Government of Davao, through its LSWDO, a symbolic turnover was also presented as DSWD handed over the role of continuing the provisions of programs and services for the graduates to the said LGU.

DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong (left), and Davao CSWDO Assistant Department Head Perla Redulosa (right) present a symbolic turnover of case folders that stand as the responsibility in continuing the programs and services for the 4Ps graduates.

Furthermore, principal stakeholders were also present for the renewal of their commitments to sustain the gains of the household graduates as they move forward to being self-sustaining families. Representatives from other National Government Agencies, who were members of the Regional Advisory Council of the 4Ps, attended and came from the offices of DepEd, DOH, TESDA, NEDA, DOLE, DTI, POPCOM, DPWH, BFAR, DOST, DA, DENR, DAR, and PHIC. Representatives from the congresspersons’ office and the LCE were also present in the said breakthrough activity.

DSWD 4Ps Deputy Program Manager Jimmy Schuck III (left) and DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong (right) recognize one of the program partners, TESDA XI Supervising TESD Specialist, Ms. Araceli R. Guazon (middle).

The activity was also graced by the DSWD 4Ps Deputy Program manager for Support Mr. Jimmy Francis T. Schuck II and DSWD FO XI Regional Director, Atty. Vanessa B. Goc-ong. Both officials expressed their messages of hope and support to the graduates and all the partner stakeholders.

Another highlight of the event was the distribution of the Sustainable Livelihood Program assistance to seven (7) SLP Associations and another 38 identified individuals who were victims of fire and flood incidents in Davao City. A total of Php760,000 worth of funds were disbursed to the said beneficiaries.

SLP Associations and LAG grantees present their checks amounting to a total of Php760,000 that will serve as seed capital funds as well as cash aids to crisis-stricken beneficiaries.

In her inspirational message, DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong expressed, “Dili lalim ang trabaho sa mga nagpaluyo sa programa sa 4Ps ug SLP. Palakpakan nato ang tanang beneficiaries, partner agencies ug tanang personnel ug staff sa DSWD. Sa pagtinabangay nato, natabok nato ang kalisud paingon sa victory o kalambuan. Labi na kay, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga sa DSWD. Congratulations! (The work and efforts of the people behind the programs of 4Ps and SLP were incomparable and undeniably difficult. Let us give a warm of applause to all the graduate beneficiaries, partner agencies and all the personnel and staff of DSWD. Together, as we hand-in-hand help each other, we have successfully crossed and reached victory. Most especially, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga sa DSWD. Congratulations!)”

DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Vanessa B. Goc-ong shares an inspirational message to the audience during the Breakthrough 2022: 4Ps Graduation and Exit Ceremony in Davao City.

4Ps Onse Brand: Breakthrough

The Breakthrough brand of 4Ps in DSWD Field Office XI is its version of the nationally known “Pugay Tagumpay,” a term used for other regions’ graduation activity titles. The word breakthrough is defined by various meanings according to Merriam-Webster and Cambridge. It is a brand that depicts a person’s notable success or an instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle. It also emphasizes the significant progress or development of a person or event.

The brand was used for the pilot ceremonial graduation in Davao City for the first batch of 150 households exited and graduated beneficiaries. These households were part of the identified 3,091 graduates for Davao City, as a result of the validation conducted for the Listahanan 3 List of Non-Poor Households last August and September of this year. 4Ps Onse had validated a total of 74,447 households in the entire Davao Region.

.An overlooking snapshot of the entire audience comprising the 4Ps graduates and exiting household beneficiaries, SLP Associations, LAG grantees, resource speakers, guests, partner-stakeholders, and the DSWD XI workforce

To inspire stakeholders and non-stakeholders from these graduates’ journey in the program, breakthrough also highlights the gains and successes in the implementation of the program, displayed improvement in the well-being of the graduates, the Kilos-Unlad Framework, and the contribution and support of various partners and stakeholders in realizing the achievement of success in the 4Ps.

It was already emphasized by the program that graduating/exiting from 4Ps did not mean that the government will no longer be there to assist the households. Their exit will have the chance and pave the way for other poor households. These graduates were the pride of DSWD 4Ps as their improved well-being is the program’s success and milestone. And this achievement was considered a breakthrough.

4Ps is an investment in the human capital of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18 years.####