4Ps celebrates dignity of work this Labor Day

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) joins the nation in honoring Filipino workers this Labor Day, underscoring that its beneficiaries are not just recipients of the government’s aid but also active contributors to the country’s labor force.

Across the country, more than 1.4 million 4Ps members are now part of the workforce, engaged in various sectors that keep communities and the economy moving. From office jobs to farming, fisheries, microenterprises, and other livelihood activities, 4Ps beneficiaries exemplify resilience, perseverance, and pride in their work. 

A significant share, or about 488,000 4Ps individuals, are in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry as farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-workers. Meanwhile, around 587,000 4Ps members are engaged in elementary occupations such as helpers, laborers, vendors, cleaners, and service workers. The remaining are distributed across skilled trades, transport, clerical work, and professional roles, reflecting the diverse ways 4Ps beneficiaries contribute to national development.

Their work not only sustains their families but also strengthens local economies and broader communities.

Still working, still providing at 66

At 66, when many begin to retire, Rosalie Barrun chose to keep moving forward.

A 4Ps beneficiary from Antipolo City, Rosalie, now works as a service crew member in a fast food chain, proving that dignity in work has no age limit. 

Despite raising seven children and caring for a grandchild, she continues to seek opportunities to support her family.

“Mahirap ang buhay sa pagpapalaki ng pitong anak at isang apo na iniwan ng kanilang ina. Ang pagpapalaki at pagpapaaral sa kanila upang mabigyan sila ng magandang kinabukasan ay nais ko para hindi sila makaranas ng hirap tulad ko,” she shared.

(“Life is difficult when raising seven children and a grandchild left by their mother. I want to raise and educate them so they can have a better future and not experience the hardships I went through.”)

Through the Households Economic Resilience Strengthening (HERS) Project of Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office CALABARZON, she underwent job-readiness training that helped her rebuild confidence and secure employment.

“Masaya na mahirap dahil maraming nakakasalamuha, pero kahit na mahirap, basta may trabaho,” she said of her training experience.

(“It’s both fulfilling and challenging because I meet many people, but even if it’s hard, what matters is having a job.”) 

Her story reflects how 4Ps, through capacity-building and partnerships, provided by the 4Ps, enables beneficiaries, even senior citizens, to remain economically active and hopeful.

From beneficiary to public servant 

For Zarah Angel P. Bernas, 4Ps became a bridge from hardship to service.

Growing up in a struggling family in Mina, Iloilo, Zarah took on family responsibilities for her eight siblings early after losing her mother due to Stage 4 breast cancer. 

“I managed our household, attended Family Development Sessions (FDS) as my father’s representative, and carefully budgeted our cash grants,” she shared. “There were days when we survived on rice and salt, but we never gave up.”

With the support of 4Ps, she earned a degree in Elementary Education from West Visayas State University – Janiuay Campus, graduating Cum Laude in 2019, and passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers in the same year.

Driven to support her family, she worked in various roles, from a government intern and LGU staff member to a private school teacher, before joining the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2021 as a Social Welfare Assistant. In 2023, she became a 4Ps Municipal Link, now serving communities facing challenges similar to those she once experienced.

Today, she serves as a 4Ps Municipal Link in Capiz, guiding families through the same challenges she once faced.

Her journey, from beneficiary to government worker, demonstrates how the program transforms recipients into productive members of the workforce and agents of change.

Building a workforce with dignity

Beyond financial assistance, 4Ps invests in human capital through Family Development Sessions, skills training, and employment linkages, equipping beneficiaries with the tools to pursue sustainable livelihoods and employment. 

Stories like Rosalie’s and Zarah’s demonstrate that 4Ps, more than being a safety net, is a pathway to productivity.

This Labor Day, the program highlights a clear truth that 4Ps beneficiaries, composed of millions of individuals, are workers, providers, and nation-builders. – Andrea Christine N. Agay