To strengthen the delivery of Family Development Sessions (FDS) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently distributing FDS Kits and Care Kits to over 14,600 City, Municipal, and Provincial Links (C/MLs and PLs) nationwide.
The initiative was borne out of Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s directive and the agency’s recognition of the logistical challenges faced by field implementers, particularly the lack of learning materials needed for effective facilitation of FDS.
“These sessions are a core requirement of the 4Ps and serve as transformative platforms that empower beneficiaries through lessons on family life, financial literacy, health, nutrition, and active citizenship,” 4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma B. Gabuya said.
According to the 4Ps National Program Manager, the agency allotted budget for the kits distribution to ensure that every C/M/P Link has access to the basic materials needed to deliver sessions that are consistent, interactive, and aligned with the enhanced Family Development Session Seven-Year Transformative Learning Path (7YTLP) framework.
“This initiative ensures that our frontliners in the 4Ps are well-equipped to deliver quality sessions that inspire real change in families. With the FDS Kits, our facilitators can focus more on meaningful engagement rather than worrying about limited resources,” Director Gabuya added.
Each FDS Kit contains essential tools such as manila paper, markers, masking tape, multi-copy paper, umbrella, ballpens, crayons, bristol board, and expanding envelopes, which are key materials used in the conduct of community-based learning sessions. Personal notes from Secretary Gatchalian and Assistant Secretary Marites M. Maristela, CESO III, the Officer-In-Charge of the DSWD Conditional Cash Transfer Group, were also included in the kits.
Meanwhile, FDS Care Kits contain practical items such as raincoats, rain boots, and tumblers, designed to support facilitators who often work in remote or resource-constrained communities.
“These care kits aim to provide practical support to facilitators who often conduct sessions in challenging environments, particularly geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs),” Director Gabuya said.
The kits are being distributed to all DSWD Field Offices nationwide, including the Ministry of Social Services and Development–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM).
As of the writing, more than 4,700 FDS kits have been distributed to program implementers in Cordillera Administrative Region, National Capital Region, and regions CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Caraga, II, and IX, while the remaining kits are expected to be delivered to other regions within November.
“The initiative directly supports the results of the FDS 7YTLP assessment conducted from 2024 to 2025, which identified the need to improve resource availability and logistical support for field staff,” Director Gabuya emphasized.
Through this effort, DSWD reinforces its commitment to upholding Republic Act No. 11310, or the 4Ps Act, which institutionalizes the program as a national poverty reduction strategy. The initiative underscores the Department’s continuing pursuit of service excellence and transformative learning for Filipino families striving toward self-reliance. #