LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—Some 115,729 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household beneficiaries in Central Visayas that have achieved self-sufficiency will soon graduate from the program.
This is based on the latest Social Welfare Development Indicator (SWDI) conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region, according to regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero.
“I congratulate each one of you because you complied with what you have sworn to do, which started on the day you enrolled in the program. You gave your time, effort, sacrifice, and dedication for you to comply with all the program conditions, and now you will graduate from the program,” Lucero said, in her opening message during the Saulog 4Ps ceremonial graduation on March 17 in Lapu-Lapu City.
The 4Ps graduates have already attained significant change in their life status and reached the self-sufficiency level. Self-sufficient households meant the beneficiaries should have enough income by the time they graduate from the program; can cope with their daily needs; and have achieved SWDI Levels 1 and 2 for survival and subsistence respectively, Lucero explained.
Cebu province, including the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City counted 79,205 4Ps households, while Bohol province has 36,524 4Ps households that graduated from the program, the SWDI report said.
Lucero added that the SWDI determines and monitors the progress of the 4Ps households’ well-being and facilitates case management for a sustainable transition out of poverty.
To celebrate the significant changes and achievements of the 4Ps graduates, the DSWD Central Visayas Field Office with the different local government units started conducting the “Saulog 4Ps” ceremonial graduation this March.
Lucero lauded the perseverance and determination of the 4Ps partner-beneficiaries who graduated from college and are now employed in different private companies, national government agencies (NGAs), and local government units (LGUs).
Some are already working as barangay officials and barangay workers, overseas Filipino workers, teachers, police officers, seafarers, and BPO workers, and some are in the service sector. Others engaged in livelihood activities such as raising livestock, vending food, providing personal care services, farming, and fishing.
“I encourage all of you to continue to persevere and work hard and do not forget the lessons that you have learned through the monthly Family Development Session (FDS) because it can be used in achieving your dreams,” Lucero said.
Bernita Tubio, a 4Ps graduate from Dauis, Bohol, in her testimony said that she’s a proud mother of three children who are already college graduates and two of them are now seafarers. Since January 2025, Bernita has worked as a Barangay Health Worker (BHW) in her community.
“I still have four other children who are determined to finish their studies. I am thankful to the government through the 4Ps because it helped me send my children to school,” she said.
According to Lucero, the Saulog 4Ps ceremonial graduation is also a convergence of support and commitment to continue with the various programs and interventions of government agencies, local and national, and the civil society organizations to sustain the level of well-being after they exit from the program.