DSWD to Gather 5,000 4Ps Beneficiaries at Plaza Independencia

More or less 5,000 families who are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries are expected to join the national family day celebration, and convergence caravan at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City this coming Sunday from 9:00-12:00 in the morning.

Regional Information Officer Leah T. Quintana of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSWD)7 during the Kapihan sa PIA held at the PIA office in Gorordo Ave., Cebu City said that the Pantawid Pamilya Para sa Pagbabago program is also set to launch on said date to drumbeat the progress and change of life of the 4Ps beneficiaries.

The convergence caravan would serve as a venue for those beneficiaries who ought to show case their experiences from first year when they first received the cash assistance given by the DSWD to them, until this very moment when some of their children have already graduated from elementary and maybe from high school or some of them are still in school.

Quintana said that among the 255,543 4Ps beneficiaries in Central Visayas, only 5,000 are expected to join this convergence caravan this coming Sunday.

The provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor have also their respective gathering to be headed by their respective local government units.

According to Quintana, they chose some of the 4Ps beneficiaries who are sure of their attendance to the family day celebration by sending them an advance invitation letter.

She said during the affair, there will be four or five beneficiaries who will be allowed to share their experiences before they became 4Ps beneficiary until now that they are enjoying the privileges given to them by the government.

Each of the 4Ps beneficiary is receiving the minimum of P3,500 cash assistance monthly from the DSWD, which really help augmenting their livelihood. Some of them are also availing some livelihood TRAININGS PROVIDED by the DSWD and even by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as part of the poverty alleviation program of the national government.

Quintana said the occasion will also serve as a festivity for the said beneficiaries where dancing inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) will also present their numbers.

Quintana also stressed the CPDRC dancing jail inmates’ will dance inside the CPDRC compound which will also be shown at a big screen to be placed and hanged at the Plaza Independencia for the crowds to witness.

She also explained that the singing talents of the 4Ps beneficiary’s children will also present their numbers just to let them enjoy this yearly festivity of the poor.

Quintana also said they expect some city and provincial officials to witness this occasion.