Through the years, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) implementation in Region 1 has been soaring high in delivering huge impact to the lives of the household beneficiaries. Behind this is the strong partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) in realizing a shared goal of serving the needy and improving their quality of life through responsive programs and services.
Awarded as the 2023 Model LGU in implementing 4Ps in the Province of Pangasinan, LGU Umingan is committed in serving the 3,096 active 4Ps household beneficiaries. This is evident in the passage of 2024 Annual Investment Plan allocating PhP600,000.00 funds for 4Ps activities such as conduct of 4Ps Graduation Ceremonies and localized 4Ps Searches. During Municipal Advisory Council Meetings, the Hon. Mayor Michael Carleone M. Cruz never fails to remind the members the power of cohesive collaboration saying, “Magtulungan tayo dahil nasa atin din ang solusyon (Let us work together because the solution lies within us).” Hence, the numerous resolutions and ordinances signed by Mayor Cruz for continuous provision of supply-side in health and education in coordination with concerned National Government Agencies and relevant organizations.
In 2022, through the all-out support of LGU Umingan, Sta. Maria Binnadang Group in Brgy. Sta. Maria was hailed as the Regional Winner in the Search for Model Bio-Intensive Garden Gearing to Enhance Resources (BIGGER).
The LGU also deeply appreciates the efforts of the Civil Society Organizations as facilitators of Family and Youth Development Sessions (F/YDS). That is why the Federated F/YDS Facilitators entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with DSWD Field Office 1 on 17 April 2023. This is the first ever organized group of CSO in Region 1, regardless of affiliation or sect that formalized their partnership to be part of the F/YDS implementation.
“Ako mismo ay nasasaktan kapag binabatikos ang programa dahil nakita ko ang layunin nito na paunlarin ang buhay ng mga benepisyaryo at kababayan namin. Natutulungan talaga natin silang baguhin ang kanilang pag-iisip tungkol sa mga natatanggap na cash grants sa programa at gamitin ito para sa maginhawang kinabukasan (I feel affected whenever the program is being criticized because I understand its goal to uplift the lives of the beneficiaries and our constituents. We are able to change their mindset on the cash grants that they receive from the program and maximize these for a better future),” Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Elma C. Bequio expressed. In 2021, based on the Social Welfare and Development Indicator results, there are 3 household beneficiaries with Survival level of well-being, 3,208 under Subsistence, while 197 are already Self-sufficient.
MSWDO Bequio has been with the LGU Umingan for 15 years. She witnessed different adversities faced by the 4Ps household beneficiaries and other constituents but she always chooses to maintain a good attitude and strongly believes that she has the capacity to consistently deliver government programs like 4Ps. “Dinala ako ng tadhana sa opisinang ito. Since 2009, narito pa rin ako dahil gusto ko pa ring tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Ginagawa kong inspirasyon na magpatuloy sa pagsilbi ang mga nararanasang hirap ng aking mga kababayan (Destiny brought me to this office. Since 2009, I am still here because I still want to help the needy. The difficulties in the life of my disadvantaged constituents are my inspiration to keep going),” MSWDO Bequio testified.
Moreover, she also shared what fuels for steadfast commitment uttering, “We have an excellent partnership with the DSWD Field Office 1 through the leadership of Mayor Cruz. We, at the LGU, believe that with the assistance from the DSWD Field Office 1, we will be able to serve all our constituents. No man is an island, so we need partners and stakeholders like DSWD Field Office 1. With this partnership, we can be more to serve more!”
Source: Search Model LGU Implementing 4Ps 2023 Nomination by the Municipal Operations Office of Umingan, Pangasinan
(by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, 4Ps Information Officer – Social Marketing Unit)
