3 4Ps beneficiaries top fisheries licensure exam

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) expressed pride in three beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who ranked among the topnotchers in the October 2026 Fisheries Professional Licensure Examination.

The topnotchers were Rain Jay Punayan of La Libertad, Negros Oriental; Halex Pastor of Manapla, Negros Occidental; and Josh Daniel Nombre of Bacolod City.

Punayan placed seventh with an 88% rating.

He graduated from Negros Oriental State University-Bais Campus.

Pastor, a graduate of the State University of Northern Negros in Negros Occidental, ranked eighth with an 87.75% rating.

Nombre placed 10th with an 87.25% rating.

He studied at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

“Ang inyong tagumpay ay bunga ng sipag, tiyaga, at determinasyong abutin ang mga pangarap,” the DSWD-NIR said in a Facebook post.

The agency said the three serve as an inspiration to their families and fellow beneficiaries, as well as to young people who continue striving for a better future.

It added that their achievements show that education and perseverance can open more opportunities despite difficulties.

“{Nawa’y patuloy ninyong gamitin ang inyong kaalaman at kakayahan upang makatulong sa pag-unlad ng inyong mga komunidad at ng buong Pilipinas,” it said.

The Professional Regulation Commission announced that 1,816 of 2,631 examinees passed the Fisheries Professional Licensure Examination held Oct. 1 and 2.

The examination was administered at PRC testing centers in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Rosales, Tacloban and Tuguegarao.