A total of 56 4Ps household beneficiaries (35 exiting and 21 graduating households) marched during the first graduation ceremony in Balungao, Pangasinan bringing with them their learnings from the program as they receive a Katibayan ng Pagkilala.
In her testimonial, graduating beneficiary, Ms. Connie Torralba, from Brgy. San Aurelio 2nd uttered, “Hindi dapat tayo 4Ps forever. Kailangang ipakita natin sa iba na umaangat tayo sa buhay. Walang mananatiling mahirap dahil ang 4Ps ang naging kaagapay natin para tumawid sa kaunlaran. Mananatili ang 4Ps sa puso ko dahil ito ang nagbigay lakas sa aking pamilya para talikuran ang kahirapan. Ipagpapatuloy ko pa rin ang aking pagiging Parent Leader para suportahan ang aking mga miyembro. (We should not remain a 4Ps beneficiary forever. We should show others that our quality of life is improving. No one will remain poor because 4Ps served as our companion towards development. 4Ps will remain in my heart because it gave strength to my family to leave behind poverty. I will still continue being a Parent Leader to support my members).”
Mayor Maria Theresa R. Peralta said, “The 4Ps beneficiaries are my bragging rights. I am sure they have proven their worth,” as she warmly accepted the graduating households after being endorsed by DSWD Field Office 1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo represented by Human Resource Management and Development Division Chief Clarivel Banzuela.
These graduating households will continue receiving programs and services of the LGU which will answer their needs to sustain or even improve their level of well-being. The exiting and graduating households were identified by the case managers anchored on Republic Act No. 11310 or 4Ps Law. Graduating households have reached self-sufficiency who voluntarily waived from the program. A household shall exit from the program when they meet any of these criteria: the last monitored child turns 19 years old and finishes high school; reaches 7-year duration in the program; no longer poor based on Listahanan result; voluntarily waives from the program; and commits offenses leading to delisting.
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Susana Ballano congratulated the graduating households and encouraged them to serve as inspiration to many to continuously exert effort to improve their level of well-being. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II / Pantawid Pamilya)
