Over 5,000 Antique 4Ps beneficiaries graduate from program

By Mariela Angella Oladive

A total of 5,394 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from 18 towns in Antique officially graduated from the program following simultaneous ceremonies held last week.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 (DSWD-6), 4,670 households exited after achieving self-sufficiency or improved well-being, while 724 households graduated after they no longer had eligible children under monitoring.

The activity, themed “Pagkilala sang Kadalag-an nga Naangkon sang tagsa ka Benepisyaryo sang 4Ps,” recognized households that reached an improved level of well-being and are no longer covered by the conditional cash transfer program.

The number of graduates per municipality were as follows: Anini-y and Barbaza, 129 each; Belison, 122; Bugasong, 180; Caluya, 194; Culasi, 393; Hamtic, 778; Laua-an, 148; Libertad, 46; Pandan, 268; Patnongon, 482; San Jose, 763; San Remigio, 301; Sebaste, 142; Sibalom, 880; Tibiao, 131; Tobias Fornier, 151; and Valderrama, 157.

One highlight was the testimonial of Michael Mandeoya, a former monitored child who is now a licensed professional teacher and serves as the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson of Patnongon.

“In God’s grace, I am the first degree holder in our family and last March 2025, I successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. Another achievement unlocked with the help of the 4Ps,” he said.

As part of the transition, case folders of exited households were formally turned over to their respective local government units (LGUs) for continued support and monitoring through post-care interventions.

Rona Mae E. Cabañas, municipal social welfare officer of Anini-y, said the LGU has allocated PHP 300,000 in livelihood support for 30 exited households, prioritizing those who have not yet received similar assistance.

4Ps provincial link Jeffrey G. Gabucay commended the beneficiaries for their commitment and determination to improve their living conditions through the program.

“Being a 4Ps beneficiary is not just a privilege, but also a responsibility. The improved level of well-being and changed perspective of the beneficiaries are living testaments to the success of the program,” he said.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Regional Program Management Office, partner agencies in health and education, former Assistant Regional Director for Operations Joel Galicia, and local officials.

The 4Ps, implemented by the DSWD, is the national government’s flagship poverty reduction initiative that provides conditional cash grants to poor households to improve access to health, nutrition, and education services.