4Ps ‘Pagbabago’ Campaign Launched in Naga City

Naga City (PNA) — Rona Trio, 43, of Barangay Cararayan here, narrated how the 4Ps had freed them from hunger which they experienced before their enlistment to the government’s Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Trio said that at present, they eat three times a day and when her children get sick she has no problem bringing their children in government hospital because they are subsidized.

Meant to promote the life-changing effects of the 4Ps, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched in Bicol the “4Ps Ituloy Ang Pagbabago Campaign” here on Tuesday.

Graced by Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, the campaign, attended by 350 mothers from the 27 barangays of Naga City, highlights the testimonies of change from beneficiaries in terms of access to health, education and livelihood.

The affair includes video presentation of testimonies of the life-changing effects of 4Ps and the conditional cash transfer given to beneficiaries, aside from the testimonies of selected beneficiaries from this city.

With a festive mood, the emcee from time-to-time agitated the mothers to break the ice with the slogan “Ituloy Ang Pagbabago.”

Marilyn Abesa, 13, top 7 in Camarines Sur National High School’s Grade 8, poetically described the 4Ps as “the paddle that aided their family to move forward.”

Abesa is the youngest in the brood of nine and her father works as a crab vendor at the Naga City market, while her mother is a plain housewife.

She was recognized as an exemplary child of 4Ps in Naga City. She said four of them in the family are still dependent on their parents.

Marilyn Balcueva, 45, said the 4Ps have enhanced her social skills, improved her confidence and made her active in the community.

Balcueva receives PHP2,800 every two months, covering her three kids and herself since 2010.

According to the DSWD, as of October 28, the 4Ps has covered 98.09 percent of the 4,436,732 of the total targets for 2015.

It provides every family beneficiary PHP500 per month for health grants, PHP300 for every elementary pupil and PHP500 per high school student for 10-month education grants.

The DSWD requires beneficiaries avail of pre- and post-natal care and attendance during health training provided by professional health workers, regular checkup for children and vaccines, de-worming and attendance of at least 85 percent per month in school. (PNA) FFC/FGS/JME/CBD