Cagayan Valley – Some 1,035 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are now considered self-sufficient after exiting the program through a region-wide “Pugay Tagumpay” ceremonial graduation held on Thursday (July 4) at the Ilagan City Community Center in Isabela Province.

During the ceremony, 4Ps beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the host city, Ilagan City, were recognized for their hard work and determination in achieving their desired well-being. 

In her message, Director Rosalie D. Dagulo, the Officer-in-Charge – Deputy Program Manager (OIC-DPM) for Program Services and Interventions of the 4Ps-National Program Management Office (NPMO) highlighted the significance of education and health in achieving the Level 3 self-sufficiency status and breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

“Gusto na natin bigyan ng tuldok ang intergenerational cycle of poverty sa ating mga pamilya. At iyan ay sa pamamagitan nang pagkakamit natin ng edukasyon at pagiging malusog. Puhunan iyan,” DPM Dagulo said.

During the event, 4Ps monitored children who graduated from elementary, highschool, college, and alternative learning system (ALS) were also acknowledged. 

Addressing the exited 4Ps beneficiaries, DPM Dagulo urged them to continue dreaming and desiring to sustain their level of well-being.

“Dala-dala natin bilang 4Ps households ang pangarap na makarating ng pagtatapos ang ating mga anak para sa gayon ay magkaroon sila ng disenteng hanap-buhay na makakabuhay at makakasuporta sa isang pamilya,” the 4Ps official pointed out.

DPM Dagulo likewise assured the continued support of local government units (LGUs) for families transitioning out of the 4Ps program.

“Kung tayo man ay mag-e-exit na sa 4Ps nandiyan pa rin lalo na ang lokal government units para suportahan po ang inyong mga pangangailanganl,” DPM Dagulo emphasized.

She added, “Nararapat din na pasalamatan natin ang suporta ng mga local government units at mga ahensya – regional and national – para sa pagbibigay po ng assistance para maitaguyod natin ang ating self-sufficient status na well-being”.

As part of the Pugay Tagumpay ceremonial exit, the case folders of the exited 4Ps beneficiaries were officially turned over to their respective municipalities for sustained after-care interventions.

The exited 4Ps beneficiaries were given cash aid, food packs, and rice by their respective LGUs.

DPM Dagulo was joined by DSWD Field Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) Regional Director Lucia Suyu-Alan and other officials and personnel from the region.

The event was also attended by 4Ps Party List Representative Jonathan Clement “JC” Abalos, local chief executives, and representatives of the different LGUs in the region.

Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11310, 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households, for a maximum period of seven years, to improve the health, nutrition, and education aspects of their children. #