To commemorate the 18th Anniversary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially opened the “Imahe at Liwanag sa Pagyabong at Pag-unlad ng Pamilyang Pantawid” Gallery Exhibit on Monday, July 20, inviting members of the DSWD Executive and Management Committees, partners, and employees to revisit the Program’s remarkable journey through nearly two decades of stories that embody hope, resilience, and transformation.
Held at the DSWD Central Office, the exhibit was formally inaugurated through a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by the Office of the Secretary Group Chief-of-Staff and Undersecretary Evelyn C. Aribon, Assistant Secretary for Operations and Concurrent Officer-In-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG) Marites M. Maristela, Assistant Secretary for Support to Operations and New Initiatives under CCTG Atty. Elaine F. Fallarcuna, and 4Ps Director IV and National Program Manager Atty. Mary Rose G. Oquindo-Pasibi, followed by a guided tour of the exhibit’s thematic galleries.
Welcoming guests to the exhibit, Assistant Secretary Marites M. Maristela reflected on the significance of commemorating the Program’s 18-year journey through the stories of the families it has served.
“This exhibit is more than a gallery of photographs. It is a celebration of the stories that define the Pantawid Program—stories of resilience, perseverance, hope, and transformation,” Assistant Secretary Maristela said.
She explained that the exhibit’s title reflects the Program’s enduring commitment to empowering Filipino families. While “Imahe” captures the milestones, challenges, and achievements of Pantawid families over the past 18 years, “Liwanag” symbolizes the hope made possible through the collective efforts of beneficiaries, field implementers, local government units, partner agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and communities working together toward a common goal.
Designed as a visual narrative, the gallery guided visitors through four thematic chapters—Pangarap, Pagtataya, Pagtataguyod, and Pagbabago—illustrating the evolution of the Pantawid Program from laying the foundations of human capital development to empowering families toward self-reliance and sustainable progress. Together, these sections demonstrated how lasting change is achieved through sustained investments in education, health, social protection, and strong partnerships.
Throughout the exhibit, visitors encountered powerful stories from communities across the country. The gallery featured indigenous children discovering the joy of learning while their parents attended Family Development Sessions, youth beneficiaries developing leadership and life skills through Youth Development Sessions, Municipal Links traversing difficult terrain to ensure no family is left behind, as well as inspiring stories of former beneficiaries who became licensed teachers, exemplary 4Ps children who excelled in academics, families who established sustainable livelihoods, and communities transformed through housing assistance, digital inclusion initiatives, and convergence efforts with government and development partners.
Among those who found the exhibit particularly meaningful was Richard Abante of the 4Ps Grievance Redress Division (GRD), who previously served as a Municipal Link. Looking back on his years in the field, Abante shared that the gallery reminded him of how the Program has evolved and the lives it has transformed over the years.
“Ang aking natunghayan ngayon ay ang pagdiriwang ng 18 years ng 4Ps. By looking at the gallery, it brings me back to the memories na ako ay isang Municipal Link ng 4Ps. Taong 2012 hanggang ngayon, nakita natin ang malaking pagbabago at sa tingin ko ay nawala na ang stigma na dole-out ang 4Ps, at ipinakita natin sa buong mundo kung gaano katibay ang Pilipino,” Abante said.
(What I witnessed today is the celebration of 18 years of 4Ps. By looking at the gallery, it brings me back to the memories when I was a Municipal Link of 4Ps. From 2012 up to the present, we have seen significant changes, and I believe the stigma that 4Ps is merely a dole-out has diminished, while showing the world how resilient Filipinos are.)
For Abante, the exhibit also serves as a tribute to the dedication of the thousands of individuals behind the Program’s implementation and the collective efforts that have helped uplift the lives of Pantawid families across the country.
“Ngayon, nakitaan din natin ang tagumpay ng bawat Pilipino sapagkat ito ay malaking pagpupursigi ng ating mga kagawaran at mga katrabaho sa DSWD. Kaya muli, maraming maraming salamat at happy 18th anniversary, 4Ps. Tagumpay natin ito,” he added.
(Today, we have also witnessed the success of every Filipino because this is the result of the great efforts of our departments and colleagues in DSWD. Once again, thank you very much, and happy 18th anniversary, 4Ps. This is our shared success!)
Delivering Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s message on his behalf, Undersecretary Evelyn C. Aribon emphasized that the gallery serves as a powerful reminder that behind every milestone of the Program are families whose dreams, determination, and sacrifices continue to inspire its mission.
“The exhibit we open today tells that story. Behind every photo is a family that dreamed of a better life, a child who stayed in school, and parents who did their part to create more opportunities for the next generation,” Secretary Gatchalian said in his message, which was delivered by Undersecretary Aribon.
In his message, Secretary Gatchalian noted that over the past 18 years, the Program has served 4.4 million Filipino families and continues to assist nearly 3 million active households, serving as a vital investment in the health, education, and well-being of poor Filipino children. He added that almost 1.6 million Pantawid families have already achieved self-sufficiency, while the Program has produced 39,879 board examination passers, including 257 topnotchers, 99 of whom earned topnotcher honors this year alone.
Secretary Gatchalian also highlighted another milestone for the Program this year—the approval of its enhanced organizational structure. With the creation of 5,627 plantilla positions across the country, he said the Department is better positioned to reinforce its capacity to deliver more responsive, efficient, and sustainable services to Filipino families nationwide.
The Secretary likewise recognized the invaluable contributions of DSWD personnel, local government units, national government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and, most especially, 4Ps implementers, whose dedication and commitment have been instrumental in the Program’s continued success. He expressed hope that the exhibit would inspire everyone to continue building programs that strengthen families, expand opportunities, and create pathways toward a more inclusive and prosperous society.
As the gallery tour concluded, visitors were reminded that behind every photograph is a story of perseverance, partnership, and hope. From children taking their first steps toward a brighter future through education to families who have achieved self-sufficiency after years of determination, the exhibit illustrated how sustained investments in human development can create lasting and meaningful change.
Through the “Imahe at Liwanag sa Pagyabong at Pag-unlad ng Pamilyang Pantawid” Gallery Exhibit, the Department reaffirmed its commitment to continuously strengthen the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and sustain partnerships that empower Filipino families to build resilient, self-reliant, and productive lives. As the Program marks its 18th year of implementation, the exhibit stands not only as a celebration of its milestones but also as a testament to the enduring spirit of millions of Filipino families striving for a better future. – Ana Dominique S. Pablo