The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), concluded its Consultation and Planning Workshop with Provincial/City Social Welfare and Development Officers (P/CSWDOs) and Provincial Links (PLs) on September 2- 5 at the Berjaya Makati Hotel.
The workshop brought together P/CSWDOs and PLs from across the 17 regions to strengthen the program implementation through the sharing of best practices, strategies, and innovations at the local level.
In her message during the opening ceremony on September 2, 4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma B. Gabuya underscored the importance of collaboration and sustaining good practices.
“This is the conversation to share with everybody. These are the things that started our innovations, and I hope we will sustain this, and that other provinces or regions will replicate them,” the 4Ps National Program Manager said.
The four-day workshop served as a platform to intensify local-level convergence, empowering provincial governments to address the multifaceted needs of 4Ps beneficiaries and ensure their sustainable progress towards self-sufficiency, or level 3, upon exiting the program.
A major output of the activity was the collaborative development of Provincial Action Plans (PAPs), which outlined strategies to boost household income, promote continuous education for children, and strengthen family health and nutrition.
Director Gabuya reminded participants of the importance of aligning interventions to prepare households for eventual exit from the program and achieving a self-sufficiency level.
“One of the objectives of this consultation workshop is to share our experiences and stories, so we can equip, innovate, and ensure that our beneficiaries are supported before they graduate from the program,” Director Gabuya emphasized.
4Ps Social Services Delivery and Management Division (SSDMD), Chief Oliver Agbon, discussed the Kilos-Unlad Social Case Management Strategy in the Provincial Level Context, which provided guidance for supporting household exit and graduation at the provincial level.
In addition, the event also highlighted the exchange of best practices among P/CSWDOs, where participants showcased innovative local initiatives that have supported 4Ps households. These insights will help enhance the delivery of services and reinforce the role of provincial governments in assisting beneficiaries.
The session also served as a venue for the PLs and P/CSWDOs to assess the implementation of the DSWD – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 series of 2022, which mandates Local Government Unit (LGU) support for 4Ps implementation.
This workshop underscored the crucial role of the DSWD–DILG JMC No. 1 series of 2022, which provides LGUs with a concrete framework for crafting PAPs. By setting clear standards, indicators, and accountability measures, the JMC ensures that local government interventions are well-funded, targeted, and sustainable, making it a vital tool in strengthening 4Ps implementation.
Director Gabuya also reaffirmed the vision of the program, stating, “The purpose of the 4Ps is to ensure that households reach self-sufficiency, that children stay in school, and that families are nurtured in a caring, productive, and resilient environment. This is the vision of Pantawid Pamilya, and we are setting the context in every conversation.”
The Consultation and Planning Workshop was also attended by Director III and Deputy Program Manager for Visayas Affairs and Program Services and Interventions, Atty. Mary Rose G. Oquindo-Pasibi, 59 PSWDOs, 10 CSWDOs, 81 PLs, and staff from the National Program Management Office. #