More than four million poor families in the Philippines benefit from the government’s flagship conditional cash transfer initiative, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Behind this nationwide effort are the Parent Leaders (PLs),  the steady hands that connect 4Ps beneficiaries with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), ensuring that support and information reach even the farthest barangays.

In most communities, these Parent Leaders are women, over 143,100 female PLs across the country who have become the nurturing force of the program. Yet, among them stand about 13,700 men, quietly defying expectations and stepping into roles often associated with care and compassion.

Two of these men, Felipe Fulgencio of Antique and Sammy Talingting of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, embody how fathers, once seen solely as haligi ng tahanan or pillars of the home, can rise to become haligi ng komunidad, the pillars of their community.

Felipe: The farmer who found his voice

In Barangay Bugo, San Remigio, Antique, 54-year-old Felipe N. Fulgencio once lived an ordinary life as a farmer. But in 2008, during a barangay meeting about a new government initiative called 4Ps, his life took a turn he never expected.

When his name was called as one of the first four Parent Leaders in their barangay, Felipe admits he was unsure how to lead. There were no mobile phones then, no motorcycles to reach far-flung sitios.

“Hindi naging madali sa akin ang obligasyon o mga gawain ng pagiging PL ng panahong iyon. Dahil hindi pa uso ang mga sasakyan, motor at teknolohiya, noon pahirapan sa pagpalaganap ng impormasyon sa mga benepisyaryo lalong- lalo na hindi ko kabisado ang mga pag uugali ng bawat benepisaryo kaya mahirap kausapin at akayin kung may pagtitipon o sesyon,” Felipe recalled. 

What started as a humble role turned into a lifelong mission. Felipe became the voice of his community, organizing meetings, attending training sessions, and helping the DSWD conduct Family Development Sessions (FDS). He eventually became president of the Parent Leaders’ Association in San Remigio, a position he held for four years.

His dedication opened doors to places he never imagined. He learned much from the trainigns and workshops held across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao islands.

“Dahil sa 4Ps lalo na ang pagiging PL malaki ang naibago sa aking buhay at sa aking pamilya… Ordinaryo o matataas na opisyal ng bansa lalo na sa DSWD ay aking nasalamuha. Kaliwa’t kanan ang seminars at trainings ang aking natamo na siyang nagbigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob at kumpiyansa sa aking sarili,” he shared.

Felipe’s family graduated from the 4Ps program in 2023, a milestone that marked both an ending and a beginning. Three of his children have finished college — two agriculturists and one a teacher — while his youngest is about to graduate.

Even after graduation from the program, Felipe continues to give back. Now a Barangay Kagawad and a Local Farmer Technician, he serves as a trainer in agricultural programs and still helps facilitate 4Ps FDS sessions. 

“Bilang tanaw na utang na loob sa programa, patuloy pa rin akong tumutulong at gumagabay sa mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps lalo na sa kanilang FDS,” Felipe said. 

He added: “Sa pamamagitan ng pagbabahagi ng tamang impormasyon, pagsasagawa ng FDS, at pagtutulungan sa barangay, mas napalalakas ang tiwala ng mga pamilya sa programa. Bukod dito, nakikipagtulungan ako sa mga barangay officials at iba pang sektor tulad ng simbahan at paaralan upang matiyak na maayos ang pagpapatupad ng 4Ps sa aming lugar lalo na maparami ang susuporta sa programa”.

Sammy: The fisherman who anchored hope

For a single father who goes out to sea to harvest crabs from traps, Sammy Talingting starts his day as early as 3 a.m. He has to prepare breakfast for his three children before sending them to school — then heads out to sea to check his crab traps.

His daily routine began in 2011, when his common-law wife, Nena (not her real name), had to leave him and their children. 

Despite the huge responsibility of being a single parent, Sammy decided to move forward for his children. He regained confidence when his family was identified as 4Ps partner-beneficiary.

As a father, Sammy aspires for his children to have college diplomas — an achievement he never had the chance to acquire because his parents did not have the capacity to support his education.

Through the program, he found not just financial aid, but a renewed sense of belonging and purpose. Sammy became a 4Ps Parent Leader, guiding 31 of the 270 4Ps households in his barangay. Eventually, he became the chairperson of their federation of Parent Leaders. 

 “Ang 4Ps dili lang kini nakatabang sa pagpa-eskwela sa among mga anak, nakatabang pud kini nga madugangan ang among kaalam pinaagi sa Family Development Session (FDS) (The 4Ps did not only helped in children’s education but also in adding knowledge through the FDS),” Sammy underscored. .

As a leader, he encourages beneficiaries to fulfill their co-responsibilities to receive their grants, ensuring that children attend school, undergo deworming, and that pregnant women and young children receive mandatory health check-ups. 

He also reminds parents to participate in the monthly FDS, which he believes is vital in strengthening families and communities.

Not only did 4Ps boost his dreams for his children’s education, but it also fueled his passion for community involvement. He is a confidante of his fellow 4Ps beneficiaries and all of them look up to him as their Parent Leader. 

Men in service: from home to community

Felipe and Sammy have shown that leadership and compassion can take many forms. Through their dedication as Parent Leaders, they have redefined what it means to serve, balancing the responsibilities of family, livelihood, and community.

Through their stories, they show that fatherhood extends beyond providing for one’s family. It is also about being present, guiding others, and building stronger communities.

In a country where 4Ps continues to transform lives, these two fathers stand as proof that the strength of a true leader lies not only in his hands, but in his heart — the same heart that makes them haligi ng komunidad. #