The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) expects its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to achieve self-sufficiency after seven years of assistance.
“Self-sufficiency means they can already stand on their own without government aid,” said DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen.
In 2023, DSWD-10 recorded 253,449 4Ps beneficiaries, receiving a total of P1.02 billion in assistance. As of May 2024, the number of beneficiaries has increased to 255,649.
The 4Ps, according to Jamen, is a national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfers to poor households. The program is divided into three phases: survival, subsistence, and self-sufficiency.
“After seven years, we should see our beneficiaries becoming self-sufficient,” Jamen said.
Currently, 39,603 households have reached self-sufficiency, and 29,051 have graduated from the program. Jamen considers this a testament to DSWD-10’s effectiveness in providing assistance to impoverished families.
One success story is Evelyn Caballero of Barangay Balulang. A 4Ps beneficiary for five years, Caballero waived further assistance after her two children graduated from college and became self-sufficient. Her family now owns three taxi units, and she runs her own parlor.
“God has blessed us,” Caballero said, expressing gratitude for the support 4Ps provided during tough times.
Jamen cited Caballero’s story as an example of a household achieving self-sufficiency. He also reminded beneficiaries of their obligation to send their children to school, a primary condition for receiving assistance. Failure to comply could result in the loss of benefits.
