BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – At least 1,149 families from Bayambang town graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday.
The families are part of the second batch of 4Ps who graduated here that marked the effectiveness of the program that lifted the families out of extreme poverty.
Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao, who graced the graduation ceremony held at the Pavilion 1 of St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer here, said graduation is a fulfillment of the goal Revolution Against Poverty in alleviating poverty incidence in the municipality.
“Sana magsilbi kayong (graduates) inspirasyon sa mga natitira pang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps upang sila ay magpursigi at magtrabaho para sa kanilang magandang kinabukasan,” Quiambao told the graduates.
DSWD National Program Management Director Gemma Gabuya said the goal of the program is for the beneficiaries to overcome adversity by improving the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged zero to 18 years.
“Ito ang sinasabi kong tagumpay, sapagkat napagtapos ninyo ang inyong mga anak sa elementarya at sekondarya gamit ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program dahil sila ang susi para mahinto ang kahirapan upang maiahon ang inyong pamumuhay,” said Gabuya.
The activity was also highlighted with the awarding of winners for the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya and Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children.
For the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, Camacho family from Brgy. Paragos bagged the title while Parocha family from Brgy. Hermoza and Junio family from Brgy. Ataynan were recognized as 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.
For the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children, Karylle Angeline Diaz from Brgy. Langiran was recognized as the most exemplary while Reagan Laza of Brgy. Manambong Norte and Mark Angelo Pagalan from Brgy. Manambong Sur were adjudged as first and second runner-up, respectively.
Likewise, Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Team (BPRAT) chairperson, Dr. Rafael Saygo presented a sustainability plan as the local government’s support to the graduates to ensure that they will have a sustained and improved living and will no longer go back from being one of the poorest of the poor. By ELSHA MARIE S. ARGUEL
