As the country observes Filipino Food Month this April, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) underscores its support for local food systems and for beneficiary families engaged in farming, fishing, and other agriculture-based livelihoods, recognizing their roles in ensuring food security and community resilience.
Also known as Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino, the annual observance was established through Proclamation No. 469, s. 2018 to promote, preserve, and appreciate Philippine culinary heritage while highlighting the importance of local agricultural production in sustaining food availability and nutrition.
At the heart of this celebration are the farmers and fisherfolk whose labor sustains not only Filipino households but also the nation’s cultural identity. As such, the 4Ps, beyond providing conditional cash grants, continues to support Filipino farming communities, who are the backbone of the Philippine economy, as well as create a more holistic approach to family development through community-based food production, such as Gulayan sa Barangay.
Supporting farmers through cash grants and family development
With more than 3 million beneficiaries in 82 provinces across the country, the 4Ps serves about 850,700 families engaged in farming, fishing, and forestry-based livelihoods to support their children’s education, health, and their overall family development towards self-sufficiency.
One of those farmers assisted by the program in improving the level of well-being is Juliet Badong, a mother of eight and a former 4Ps member from Maddela, Quirino, whose journey reflects the program’s enduring impact.
Raised in a farming family, Juliet built her life alongside her husband, Ruben, also a farmer. Together, they raised eight children, instilling in them discipline, faith, and perseverance.
But before becoming part of 4Ps in 2012, life was a daily struggle. With all eight children in school, their income from farming was often insufficient to cover even the most basic needs.
“Ramdam na ramdam namin ang bigat ng kahirapan (We deeply feel the heavy weight of poverty),” Juliet shared, recalling the years when providing food and education for her children seemed almost impossible.
Their inclusion in the 4Ps marked a turning point. The cash grants became a steady source of support for their children’s education and daily needs. More importantly, the Family Development Sessions (FDS) equipped Juliet with knowledge on responsible parenting, financial management, and values formation.
“Pinahalagahan namin ang bawat halaga ng sentimo ng cash grant na aming natatanggap at inilaan talaga ito sa pangangailangan ng aming mga anak sa paaralan. Hindi na kami gaanong nangangamba tuwing kakapusin dahil may programang nakaalalay,” she said, emphasizing how the assistance was carefully allocated for school expenses and essential needs.
(We truly valued every cent of the cash grant we received and made sure it was used for our children’s school needs. We no longer worry as much when money runs short because there is a program supporting us.)
However, life tested her resilience in 2016 when her husband passed away. Left to raise eight children alone, Juliet leaned on the lessons from the program, her faith, and her determination. She worked tirelessly, tending to the farm, serving as a pastor, and ensuring her children stayed in school.
Despite limited resources, Juliet persevered. Over time, her sacrifices bore fruit. Her children began carving their own paths: one became an agripreneur, another a skilled technician, one joined the military, and another entered public service. Their success became a testament to the power of education, guidance, and opportunity.
After 13 years in the program, Juliet’s family reached self-sufficiency and exited 4Ps in November 2025, an achievement that underscores the program’s goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
“Ako at ang aking pamilya ay patunay na ang kahirapan ay maaaring malagpasan (My family and I are proof that poverty can be overcome),” she affirmed.
Stories like Juliet’s are mirrored in communities across the country, where 4Ps beneficiaries are also cultivating hope through collective action.
Promoting community-based food production
As part of the program’s 7-Year Transformative Learning Path (7YTLP), local food production initiatives, such as the Gulayan sa Barangay at Paaralan, are integrated. The Gulayan sa Barangay (GSB), while not a nationwide requirement, is a nationwide initiative under the 4Ps that encourages family- and community-level food production.
Across various regions, 89.16% of the total number of active 4Ps beneficiaries continue to actively engage in Gulayan sa Barangay and backyard gardening initiatives, cultivating vegetables in available spaces within their homes and communities.
In the Zamboanga region, the program encourages local communities to set up a family garden through the Kayamanan sa Gulayan initiative to provide a steady source of fresh vegetables for families while encouraging community participation in sustainable food production.
Emie Rose Rerez, one of the 4Ps beneficiary from Zamboanga Peninsula, shared that “Ang klase ng aking gulayan ay communal farming… Sa pagkakaalam din natin, noong panahon ng pandemya ay sadyang mahirap ang buhay dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. Marami ang naging apektado at isa kami doon.”
(My type of gardening is communal farming… As we all know, during the COVID-19 pandemic, life was very difficult. Many were affected, and we were among them.)
With this initiative, improved access to nutritious food has been established among 4Ps families, while family expenditures have been reduced through backyard gardening, highlighting its practical impact on daily living.
“Malaking tulong ang gulayan sa aming pamilya dahil ito ang source of income namin, lalo na sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim ng gulay, ay napapaaral ko sila at nasusuportahan namin ang aming pamilya”, dagdag ni Emie.
(The vegetable garden is a big help to our family because it is our source of income, especially for my children’s education. Through planting vegetables, I am able to send them to school and support our family)
The integration of these localized initiatives into the 7YTLP framework strengthens the program’s developmental approach by embedding community participation and practical skills-building into the family development process.
The 4Ps remains committed to supporting poor families, particularly those engaged in agriculture and fisheries, by linking them to appropriate government services, agriculture and livelihood programs, and community-based interventions.
As the nation celebrates Filipino Food Month, the 4Ps joins the call in recognizing farmers and fisherfolk as vital contributors to food security and national development, underscoring the shared responsibility of sustaining local food systems and strengthening Filipino families
By supporting farmers and fisherfolk beneficiaries, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering self-reliance, the program contributes to a future where no Filipino family is left behind. – Andrea Christine N. Agay