22 APRIL 2025, QUEZON CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) successfully conducted the 1st National Advisory Council (NAC) Meeting for 2025 at the DSWD Central Office, with key resolutions aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and reinforcing agency convergence for beneficiary support.

At the top of the agenda was the approval of the Pugay Tagumpay Graduation Strategy under DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 02, series of 2025, a comprehensive framework that outlines clear outcomes for 4Ps beneficiaries across different phases of the program. The strategy places emphasis on early and sustained engagement with local government units and defines the role of national agencies, aiming to develop comprehensive program packages to ensure access to employment opportunities for the exiting households.

The enhanced graduation strategy is set for endorsement by April 25, with final adoption targeted for May. 

As the program approaches its first seven-year maximum duration for beneficiaries, Director IV and National Program Manager Gemma B. Gabuya reminded the ten-agency member council that the move aims to ensure that beneficiaries transition sustainably out of the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

“Eventually, kapag mayro’ng anak na naka-graduate sa isang pamilya, kahit isa lang, there is a potential or the chance na tumulong sa mga susunod na anak, and eventually break that intergenerational cycle of poverty,” Director Gabuya said.

(Eventually, when even one child was able to finish studies, there will be a potential or a chance to also help the younger children in their family, and eventually break that intergenerational cycle of poverty.)

Director Gabuya also emphasized the critical role of convergence in supporting 4Ps graduates even after the program. “Hindi naman ibig sabihin na once graduate ang beneficiary ay wala na ang gobyerno, [sa] 4Ps lang mawawala, she added.”

(It doesn’t mean when a beneficiary graduates from the program they wouldn’t need support from the other government agencies. They will only graduate from the 4Ps.)

In a separate resolution, the NAC also committed to address the issue of child labor, as the Department of Labor and Employment pledges to work closely with DSWD to assist over 3,000 children. DOLE is expected to submit a validated list of affected children by April 28 and report on intervention efforts by June.

Recognizing the need for better data integration, service coordination and monitoring across sectors, the NAC also called for the formation of a Sub-Technical Working Group on Information Technology, where member agencies assign IT focal persons to work on a unified Convergence Information System and finalize Data Sharing Agreements by May. 

The Council also approved the adoption of the NAC and National Technical Working Group (NTWG) mission statements, as well as the establishment of the Four Convergence Clusters for the 4Ps  — a move expected to streamline program implementation among partner agencies.

Further resolutions were introduced to secure budget allocations for supplemental support programs, following commitments made during the recent Regional Directors’ Consultation Workshop. The Council emphasized the importance of utilizing local inter-agency convergence mechanisms to strengthen service delivery to 4Ps beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by nine national government agency members: DSWD, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and one Civil Society Organization (CSO): Save the Children Philippines (SCP).

The NAC, as the governing and advisory body for the implementation of 4Ps,  is composed of representatives from key national government agencies and partners, tasked with providing strategic guidance, policy recommendations, and coordination support to ensure the program’s objectives are effectively met. #