As the government commits to reducing poverty incidence among Filipinos to nine percent, it has adopted a whole-of-government approach under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028. To achieve this, all national agencies and local government units are directed to steer the economy toward high growth, job creation, and inclusive development. Key programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) play a vital role in this strategy by uplifting families from poverty and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
This October 17, 2025 in celebration of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP)—established under Presidential Proclamation No. 717, series of 2014—the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joins the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) in honoring the strength, resilience, and determination of Filipino families who continue to rise above hardship through the 4Ps, the government’s flagship poverty reduction program.
With the theme “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families,” this year’s observance underscores that real and lasting progress begins when communities work together and people are empowered to create change.
From Despair to Diplomas: The Story of the Menor Family
For Joe-Ann and Romeo Menor, life in Alcala, Cagayan, was a relentless uncertainty. As corn and tobacco farmers, their income was at the mercy of the weather. When droughts and storms hit, followed by the daughter’s illness, the family found themselves buried under debt and despair.
The moment they were enrolled in the 4Ps, change wasn’t just financial; it was also fundamental. Through the Program’s Family Development Sessions (FDS), Joe-Ann and Romeo gained more than just cash grants; they found knowledge and hope. They learned about responsible parenthood, gender equality, and the importance of education.
“Para sa amin, ang tunay na tagumpay ay nasusukat hindi lang sa personal na pag-unlad, kundi sa kabutihang naihahatid sa kapwa. ‘Menor’ sa kalsada, ibig sabihin ay bagalan muna. Pero sa buhay, natutunan naming hindi na kailangang magmadali. Kaagapay namin ang 4Ps at ang Panginoon sa bawat hakbang. Mag-menor man o bumilis ang takbo ng aming buhay, tiwala kaming darating din ang kaunlaran (For us, true success is measured not only by personal growth but by the positive impact we have on others. ‘Menor’ on the road means to slow down. In life, we’ve learned that we don’t need to rush. We have the 4Ps and God with us every step of the way. Whether our lives move slowly or quickly, we trust that progress will come.) Joe-Ann emphasized.
Today, their children are excelling in school, with the eldest, Michael, now a licensed teacher and agriculturist. Meanwhile, Joe-Ann has grown into a respected community leader, a testament to her family’s transformation. She now actively empowers other women and farmers in the neighborhood, turning their personal success into collective progress.
The flame of entrepreneurship in the City
In Quezon City, Arlene Fernandez faced a different kind of trial. After a devastating fire left her family homeless, the additional challenge of caring for a child with special needs made rebuilding their lives even harder.
Arlene’s fortune turned when she became one of the 25 beneficiaries who received a livelihood grant, a result of the partnership between 4Ps and the CDO Odyssey Foundation. The grant allowed Arlene to start a small food stall that sells frozen goods and eventually evolved into a thriving business offering complete rice meals.
Within six months, she earned Php 48,000 and was recognized among the project’s top achievers.
Diving for a brighter future in Zamboanga Sibugay
Far south, on the coastal island of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mudzna Jamil of the Sama Banguingui tribe once lived in isolation and uncertainty. When the 4Ps reached their community, it opened doors she knew never existed.
Mudzna was not just a recipient; she became an agent of change. Encouraged by her peers, she stepped up as a parent leader, championing health and education within her Indigenous community. Through the FDS, she ensured that mothers accessed free medication, prenatal care, and that every child received consistent schooling.
The cash grants allowed her family to diversify their livelihood, enabling them to start seaweed farming and small-scale fishing. Today, their once fragile home stands strong, their children have become scholars and professionals, and their family has helped inspire others in their tribe to dream beyond poverty’s limits.
“Walang pangarap ang di natutupad” kung buong puso mong tatanggapin ang hamon ng pagbabago at maipanalo ito dahil sa pagsusumikap. Sa karagatan, hindi lamang ang pagkatuto sa paglangoy kundi ang pagtuto kung paano mas sumabay sa agos at hampas ng bawat alon ng pagsubok. Ahon sa pagbabago at sisid sa maginhawang bukas. Maraming salamat 4Ps. Binago niyo ang aming buhay (No dream is impossible to achieve if you wholeheartedly embrace the challenge of change and strive to overcome it through hard work. In the vast ocean, it’s not only about learning how to swim, but also about knowing how to move with the current and face the crashing waves of life’s trials. Rise with change and dive toward a brighter future. Thank you, 4Ps. You have changed our lives), shared Mudzna.
A shared journey towards empowerment
The inspiring journeys of Menor, Fernandez, and Jamil families- spanning the agricultural plains of Cagayan, the urban sprawl of Quezon City, and the coastal islands of Mindanao- embody the transformative power of the 4Ps. It is far more than a conditional cash transfer program. It has become a pathway to empowerment, nurturing, education, strengthening families, and building active citizens who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
From 2022 to July 2025, a total of 1.4 million self-sufficient households have already graduated from the 4Ps. #