STORIES FROM THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps)
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the Philippine government’s largest social protection initiative, designed to alleviate intergenerational poverty through strategic investments in human capital. Started in 2008, 4Ps is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and currently serves 4.3 million poor and near-poor families.
Thrive: Stories from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) gives a human face to the 4Ps’ power to transform lives. Each of the families featured in this book was able to overcome social, economic, and personal challenges, taking full advantage of the opportunities 4Ps offered them. Each photograph in this book tells a story of hope, and is a testament to how the power of hard work, with the support of government social protection initiatives, can help families break free from the cycle of poverty.
THRIVE
STORIES
FROM THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM (4Ps)
Thrive: Stories from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was conceptualized, produced, and published by Ayala Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.
A note on the featured families: The 17 families who appear in this book represent the country’s 17 regions as of April 2024, prior to the signing of the law establishing the Negros Island Region.
Published by Ayala Foundation Inc. 4F Makati Stock Exchange Building, 6767 Ayala Avenue 1226 Makati City Metro Manila, Philippines
Table of contents
Message from the Department of Social Welfare and Development 5 Message from Ayala Foundation
8
About the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) 10
A shoulder to lean on Navarro Family, Pangasinan, Region 46
A roof over their heads Gudoy-Constantino Family, Cagayan, Region II
58
A bridge to better days Rosos Family, Bulacan, Region III 70 Climbing higher, moving farther Cada Family, Quezon, Region IV-A 82
The transformative power of self-confidence Malunes Family, Palawan, Region IV-B
94
Light at the end of the tunnel Azor Family, Camarines Sur, Region V
106
Through sheer will and determination Marcelino Family, Iloilo, Region VI
142
Holding on together Sumali Family, Zamboanga Sibugay, Region IX
202
Leveling up for sustainable livelihood Kasim Family, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM
154 Faith, hope, love Recustodio Family, Lanao del Norte, Region X
166
Shelter from life's storms Amihan Family, Davao de Oro, Region XI
118
Strong families make strong communities Dela Peña Family, Negros Oriental, Region VII and NIR
130
Betting on leadership De Paz Family, Leyte, Region VIII
214
Families thriving with the help of 4Ps
216
Message from Zone 5 Camera Club
178
One family, one direction Rala Family, South Cotabato, Region XII 190
Sailing through rough seas Tandugon Family, Surigao del Norte, Region XIII
217
About ZVCC and photo credits
220 Acknowledgements
MESSAGE FROM THE Department of Social Welfare and Development
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is deeply honored to present this inspiring photo storybook which showcases the remarkable portraits and stories of 17 “4Ps Huwarang Pamilya” beneficiaries from the different regions in the country.
This collection of narratives of poor household beneficiaries embodies the heart of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), one of the DSWD’s flagship poverty alleviation programs, which is a catalyst of hope and empowerment for over 4.4 million Filipino families.
Through its holistic approach, 4Ps not only addresses the immediate needs but also invests in the long-term development of beneficiaries, particularly in their health, education, and livelihood, thereby providing them with the means to break the cycle of poverty in their own families and build a better future.
This photo storybook is a testament to the significant impact of 4Ps on the lives of our fellow Filipinos. It serves as a reminder of the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit that define our program beneficiaries.
We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders, especially the Ayala Foundation Inc. Their dedication and commitment are instrumental in amplifying the voices of our beneficiaries and showcasing the program’s success.
We also extend our appreciation to al the DSWD Field Offices, particularly the 4Ps Regional Program Management Offices (RPMOs), for their invaluable support in capturing these narratives.
As we celebrate the success stories featured in this photo storybook, let us be reminded of the impact that each of us can make in the lives of others.
May this photo storybook inspire others, both beneficiaries and potential stakeholders, to uplift the lives of poor households while creating a sustainable future and eventually breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty among our Filipino families.
Rex Gatchalian Secretary
MESSAGE FROM Ayala Foundation
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is the Philippine version of the conditional cash transfers that have effectively contributed to fighting poverty in many countries. It is primarily an investment in the future, designed to break the transmission of poverty from parent to child by ensuring that the next generation is healthier and more educated than the last.
Thrive features 17 remarkable Filipino families that have exceeded these expectations, by using 4Ps benefits not only as investments for the future, but as opportunities to build thriving lives today.
It is a great privilege for the Ayala Foundation to support the Department of Social Welfare and Development in publishing these stories, beautifully told through images captured by members of the Zone V Camera Club, one of the most respected photography groups in the country comprised of professional photographers and hobbyists.
We are grateful to Secretary Rex Gatchalian and the DSWD team for the opportunity to help tell these inspiring 4Ps stories from the combined perspectives of the participating families themselves, large-hearted social workers, and the interpretive lens of photographers. We are thankful for the time and talent brought to this collaborative effort by Ayala Foundation talents and Zone V Camera Club members whose photos make the lives of the featured 4Ps participants all the more meaningful and resonant to the reader.
The Filipino families featured here represent many others who now experience a better quality of life as a result of their own efforts and the invaluable support of 4Ps. The program’s holistic approach— extending financial assistance while requiring access to health, education, and Family Development Sessions—has not only given participating Filipino families the opportunity to end the cycle of intergenerational poverty, but to also make significant progress toward lifting themselves to a better life today.
It is in our collective best interest to do all we can to help make sure 4Ps operates efficiently, effectively, and at the scale needed to enhance human capital in time to reap the benefits of our demographic dividend, or the next few decades when working-aged Filipinos will comprise the largest proportion of our national population. It is worthy of our very best hopes and efforts toward achieving shared prosperity in the Philippines, one thriving community at a time.
Tony Lambino President
About the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
The Philippines is at the cusp of a demographic transition—from a predominantly young population, where a significant proportion was below working age, to one where the majority falls within the productive working-age group. Historically, such shifts are associated with the demographic dividend a period of accelerated economic growth driven by changes in the population’s age structure. However, realizing these benefits depends on sustained investments in human capital, particularly in education, health, and social protection to ensure that the workforce is skilled, healthy, and ready to contribute meaningfully to economic progress. The Philippine government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, plays a pivotal role in this effort by keeping children healthy and in school, fostering the human capital essential not only for harnessing the demographic dividend but also for empowering families to thrive and secure a better future.
4Ps is the Philippines' largest social protection initiative, designed to alleviate intergenerational poverty through strategic investments in human capital. Rooted in the understanding that education, health, and family stability are essential pathways out of poverty, 4Ps provides conditional cash transfers to over 4.3 million poor and
Box 1: 4Ps eligibility, conditions, and benefits
Program eligibility
• Classified as poor or near-poor based on a standardized targeting system and the poverty threshold issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) at the time of selection
• Have members who are aged 0 to 18 years old or have members who are pregnant at the time of registration
• Willing to comply with the conditions specified by the 4Ps Act Program conditions Cash grants
Health
• Pregnant member must attend prenatal services, give birth in a health facility, and receive postpartum care
• Children aged 0 to 5 must receive regular preventive health and nutrition services, including check-ups and vaccinations
• Children aged to 14 must avail themselves of deworming pills at least twice a year
• One responsible adult member must attend FDS conducted by the DSWD, at least once a month
Education
• Children aged 3 to 4 must attend daycare or preschool classes at least 85% of the time
• Children aged 5 to 18 must attend elementary or high school classes at least 85% of the time
PhP750 per month per household
near-poor families. It incentivizes parents to keep their children in school, ensure they receive adequate healthcare, and participate in monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) (Box 1) The unique FDS component pioneered by the Philippines covers essential topics, such as positive child discipline, financial literacy, disaster preparedness, family planning, and community engagement, equipping parents with knowledge and skills to foster their children’s growth and overall well-being. By reinforcing the importance of education, health, and responsible family life, 4Ps aims to break the cycle of poverty, making the vision of self-sustaining communities a reality.
Launched in 2008, 4Ps draws inspiration from the conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs of Latin America, notably Brazil’s Bolsa Familia and Mexico’s Prospera (formerly Oportunidades), which linked cash assistance to school attendance and health checks as early as the 1990s. Many nations have adopted or adapted these CCT models to address poverty, tailoring them to unique cultural and economic needs. Several countries successfully implemented CCTs on a large scale, expanding over time to include urban populations and groups facing unique challenges, such as Colombia’s support for internally displaced persons or Jamaica’s inclusion of people with disabilities.
In Mexico, for example, the program expanded to include early childhood development and vocational training, while Brazil integrated micro-credit and housing support. Rigorous evaluations have shown that CCTs make a significant difference in the lives of participants, providing stability through consumption smoothing, boosting investments in education and health, and reducing poverty. Across countries, CCTs have been proven to increase school enrollment and improve access to health services, laying stronger foundations for future generations. Studies even suggest that these positive impacts extend beyond immediate needs, with longer-term effects on household well-being.
Effective targeting, guided by objective selection criteria, is fundamental to the success of 4Ps, ensuring that assistance is directed to those most in need. The distribution of recipients across regions aligns closely with poverty levels, reflecting a strategic focus on areas with the highest incidence of poverty. This targeted approach is highlighted in Figure 1, which illustrates how the allocation of 4Ps recipients corresponds to regional poverty rates, maximizing the program’s impact on poverty alleviation.
PhP300 Elementary PhP500 - Junior HS PhP700 Senior HS Per child per month; Maximum of 3 students per household and 10 months per year
Rice subsidy of PhP600 per month per household
Note: As stipulated in the 4Ps Act. Cash grants may be adjusted for inflation every six years based on recommendations from the Philippine Institute
Numerous studies highlight the transformative impact of 4Ps in the Philippines. Early evaluations revealed that the program effectively met its initial objectives, increasing school enrollment and attendance and expanding access to essential maternal and child healthcare services. Recent research further validates the program’s success, revealing its broader benefits, including improved household welfare, heightened community participation, increased awareness of strategies to manage vulnerabilities, and even positive effects on children’s grit and determination. The World Bank provides a summary of 4Ps’ impact (Box 2), illustrating how this program has evolved to become a cornerstone of social protection in the Philippines.
The future of 4Ps
4Ps was institutionalized in 2019 with the passage of the 4Ps Act (Republic Act 11310), formally integrating the program into the national social protection framework. This legislative milestone recognized the program’s contributions and ensured its continuity across administrations, reaffirming the state’s commitment to reducing poverty and inequality. The 4Ps Act mandates continued support for the program and its participating households while providing a foundation for further enhancements and expansions.
Box 2: 4Ps Impact
General Impact
• Contributing to a reduction in poverty incidence by approximately 1.4 percentage points per year
• Increased motivation among household heads and spouses to seek work and start businesses
• 87% of parents in 4Ps report a more optimistic outlook on their situation and their children’s futures
Health
• Reduction in severe stunting among beneficiary children
• Lower maternal mortality rates in the past five years as more mothers deliver babies in health facilities (7/10 live births)
• Decrease in spending on alcohol by 39%, indicating reduced spending on vices in 4Ps households
• Higher consumption of rice and cereals among beneficiaries compared to non-beneficiaries
Education
• Over 17 million children are currently benefiting from CCT
• Near universal school enrolment of elementary-aged children in 4Ps households (98%)
• 6% higher gross enrollment rate for high school students in the program
• Higher spending on education among 4Ps households (PhP206 more per school-aged child per month)
• Decrease in child labor days (7 days less a month for 4Ps households)
• Over 11.4 million graduated from elementary and 3.2 million graduated from high school from 2010 to 2023
Local Economies
• Participating households invest more in productive assets (e.g., livestock and machinery) compared to non-participants
• Higher spending by 4Ps households on food, education, and healthcare, stimulating local economic growth
Source: DSWD and World Bank
Figure 1: Distribution of 4Ps beneficiaries and poverty rates across regions
Source: AFI calculations based on data from DSWD and PSA.
Notes: The share of recipients to population are based on DSWD 4Ps data as of April 2024 and the estimated poverty rates are based on 2023 PSA poverty data. Regional poverty rates reported by PSA were recalculated to adopt to the DSWD reporting of 4Ps recipients that uses the regional classification prior to the addition of the Negros Island Region.
The DSWD has been steadfast in its efforts to enhance the program’s effectiveness and reach. In recent years, the department has expanded its beneficiary base and introduced initiatives to improve the overall experience for participating families. Embracing a continuous improvement approach, the DSWD is actively refining the program’s end-to-end processes, striving to make it more accessible and efficient. By streamlining enrollment, disbursement, and compliance verification procedures, the DSWD reduces administrative burdens, ensuring that grants are delivered promptly.
Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD is exploring the innovation of additional digital payment options, including digital wallets, to facilitate cash transfers. DSWD rolled out its e-Panalo ang Kinabukasan program, a digital financial inclusion initiative, to encourage replacement of traditional cash cards with electronic money or wallets and promote modern and efficient financial services. The program also empowers beneficiaries with basic personal finance management skills such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and protection against fraud and scams. The e-Panalo program is supported by Ayala Foundation, BPI Foundation, Globe, GCash, Landbank, and Maya.
Digital wallets, in particular, promise to make funds more accessible, secure, and convenient for program recipients, especially those in areas with limited banking infrastructure. Beyond immediate access to funds, digital wallets open doors to financial inclusion, empowering beneficiaries to engage in the digital economy and access a range of financial services. This transition aligns with the government’s broader goals of digital transformation and financial inclusion, ensuring that social protection programs evolve alongside technological advancements.
4Ps is a testament to the transformative power of social protection programs that are thoughtfully designed, well targeted, and effectively implemented. The program addresses immediate needs while also investing in long-term human capital development, thereby strengthening the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development and allowing families to thrive.
Seventeen families, 17 stories of hope.
The families featured in this book demonstrate how the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) did not only help them survive difficult times, but thrive and build a better future for themselves.
Representing the different regions of the country, the 17 families in this book have shown grit, resourcefulness, and resilience. They also demonstrate the effectiveness of 4Ps as an intervention that helps families lift themselves out of poverty.
At present, 4.3 million households representing all provinces and cities in the country are part of the program. In the past 12 years, 2.26 million individuals have availed themselves of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
This book is a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of 4Ps families.
Dreams lived, lives transformed
Roque Family
A family of seven, the Roques lived in a fishing village in Navotas City, Metro Manila. The father, Enrique, was a fisherman, and was the sole breadwinner.
Struggling to survive day after day, wife Luzviminda considered it a blessing to be part of the 4Ps pioneering batch in 2008.
While attending Family Development Sessions, Luzviminda became more aware of her potential to help not only herself and her family, but also the community where she belonged. She shared with her children the insights she had gained from the sessions, so they could start dreaming of a better life for themselves.
When eldest son Mark Erhiz decided to stop schooling to help send his siblings to school, his parents convinced him to take short courses instead. Another son, Charles, also did the same, earning a certificate in welding. A believer in continuous learning, Luzviminda also trained in wellness massage or hilot.
Having complied with the education and health requirements under 4Ps, the Roques graduated to the Sustainable Livelihood Program in 2014. This enabled Luzviminda to open a small sari-sari store after training in small business management. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck five years later, and they had to close the store.
Because of the lockdowns, the family’s income was diminished. Enrique could not go out to sea as he previously did before the pandemic, and sons Mark and Charles, who had both finished college and lost their jobs as marketing officers, felt backed into a corner with no options for gainful employment.
But the family refused to be overcome by these challenges. Enrique started gathering alamang or shrimp fry, which Luzviminda fermented into bagoong. The children tried selling bagoong online. Not long after, their product line diversified to include skincare and beauty care items. The family income grew to a combined PhP38,000, which covered most of the educational needs of the three younger siblings, Erickson, Paul, and Braeden.
When Enrique suffered a mild stroke in 2022, medical assistance from government centers brought him back to the path of health.
“Our Social Welfare Development indicator is now at Level 3—Self Sufficient!” Luzviminda proudly declares, as she continues to affirm the life-changing power of 4Ps.
Before the Roque family benefited from 4Ps, Enrique was the sole breadwinner, making a living as a fisherman.
Luzviminda, pictured above with DSWD social workers, was part of the pioneering 4Ps batch of 2008. She credits the program for teaching her to dream of a better life for herself and her family.
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a big blow on the family, but they saw themselves as entrepreneurs to get through the challenge: Enrique started catching shrimp fry, which Luzviminda fermented into bagoong which the couple is pictured cooking.
Luzviminda is proud to say that making and selling bagoong (fermented shrimp fry) has helped augment their income.
Although a mild stroke slowed Enrique down in 2022, he was able to get back on the road to recovery, with the help of 4Ps and the support of other government programs.
The fishing community of Navotas City, situated along Manila Bay, has seen the dramatic transformation in the lives of the Roques. They are also an inspiration to their neighbors, many of whom continue to rely on the sea to earn a living.
Through 4Ps, Luzviminda was able to help herself, her family, and her community. She shared the lessons she learned from the program with her children so that they, too, could dream of better lives for themselves.
Hope and renewal
Dinamling Family
KIANGAN, IFUGAO
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11
Emilia Dinamling has always held on to this biblical promise.
She met her husband in college, and they decided to build a family without plans for the future. Benedicto’s income as a farmer was never enough, especially when their daughter Emelyn Grail was born.
She remembers: “Utang dito, utang doon—ito ang naging takbo ng aming pamumuhay. Sa mga panahong ‘yun ay hirap na talaga ang aming pamilya. Wala na kaming ibang malapitan, at kumapit na kami sa patalim. Nasangkot kaming mag-asawa sa ipinagbabawal na gawain—ang pagsusugal. Noong una, nagbakasakali ako na baka kung manalo kami sa sugal ay ito ang sagot sa aming kahirapan.”
(We became debt-ridden. At a time when we had no one to turn to, we engaged in illegal gambling, which we thought was our ticket out of poverty.)
In 2005, gambling became the Dinamling family’s way of life. At the time, they had three children and moved from place to place, as long as they could gamble. They also went heavily into drinking, spending so much on their vices to the point that, on some days, their kids had nothing to eat and went to school on empty stomachs. The couple also fought constantly.
In 2009, while Emilia was pregnant with their fifth child, she became a respondent in a DSWD survey. Even then, the gambling and drinking continued despite efforts of barangay elders to direct them onto the righteous path.
Two years later, they qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries. At first, Emilia just thought of the money, fulfilling the minimum requirements so they could receive their cash grants. Unknown to the social workers, the Dinamling couple continued gambling and drinking even as they attended their monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS). But it was also during these sessions when they realized the importance of family values, forcing them to reflect on their deeds. It was time to make a change. With the community standing behind her, Emilia later became a parent leader and shared the lessons she had learned as a responsible spouse, parent, and community member.
Because of FDS, Emilia and her husband totally turned their backs on their vices in 2013. She was also recruited as a child development worker and started serving her religious community. With proper planning and savings, the Dinamlings put up a sari-sari store, as the children continue to go to school, harboring hopes for a better future.
The early years in the marriage of Benedicto and Emilia Dinamling were tumultuous. Their inclusion in 4Ps, along with a renewed faith in God, helped the family (pictured above with DSWD social workers) overcome these challenges.
The Dinamlings were formally included in 4Ps in 2011. At first their interest in the program was limited to receiving regular financial assistance. Over time, they became believers in the program, and religiously participated in activities.
The financial literacy sessions taught Emilia how to set aside some of the funds they received from 4Ps. They were able to open a sari-sari store, which supplemented their daily needs. In the photo is Emilia, sitting where her customers typically gather.
All five (four of whom are in the picture) of the Dinamling’s children are currently in school—two are in college, while the rest are in high school. Despite the demands of their school work, they never forget to help with the housework.
Their savings also allowed the Dinamlings to purchase a small parcel of land.
For much of his life Benedicto has been a farmer. But the family’s inclusion in 4Ps has allowed him to develop other skills. At present, he serves his community as a barangay council member.
The 4Ps Family Development
Sessions helped Emilia and Benedicto turn their backs on their vices. She also started serving as a child development worker, and became active in a religious community.
A shoulder to lean on
“Where and who can I turn to?” Ma. Luisa Navarro asked herself whenever one of her children got sick.
For years, her family lived in a small shack made of light materials, without electricity and getting by with just the bare essentials—a bed, a pot, some plates, and drinking “glasses” recycled from instant noodle cups.
Her husband Ronillo made hollow blocks for a living. During the rainy season, work had to stop and they barely had food on the table. Often the family of six had to share a piece of bread to calm hunger pangs at night. On special occasions, the children found joy in receiving hand-me-down clothes from a kind employer for whom Luisa did domestic work.
Even with a college degree, Luisa had a hard time finding work. But she did not stop dreaming for her children to finish school. “In fact, we were mocked by some for even attempting to send our children to college. They scoffed at the idea that a mere hollow block maker and domestic worker had such big ambitions, but we did not mind them,” she said.
2012 marked a turning point in the lives of the Navarros. As 4Ps beneficiaries, they now had a shoulder to lean on during hard times—cash grants that enabled the children’s tertiary education, health insurance from PhilHealth, and other opportunities that came their way.
Because of her active participation in the Family Development Sessions, Luisa became a parent-leader in 2018. Among the programs she helped promote in her community were disaster preparedness with a ready e-balde (emergency bucket of supplies), tree-planting, and gulayan sa barangay (village vegetable farm). Joining financial literacy learning sessions also helped her meet the requirements for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Through SLP, Luisa acquired capital for mushroom production, which augmented their family income.
As life started to get better, yet another trial came their way—Luisa was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer. But she braved her health crisis and underwent chemotherapy and radiation sessions with the full support of her family and the 4Ps health program.
Not long after, elder daughter Clariza finished college and helped her sister Laika Ann and brother Kenneth earn their own degrees. The older children are now working and helping send their youngest sibling Trisha, now Grade 11, to school.
Despite putting up a good fight, Luisa died from cancer in February 2024. Still, her family honors her memory as a loving wife and mother, an entrepreneurial woman, and an active member of their community.
Ronillo
along with his wife Luisa, qualified for 4Ps in 2012.
After battling cancer, Luisa died in February 2024.
Her kids (one of them holding her portrait in photo above) honor her memory by making sure that all of them will finish school.
Navarro,
Life goes on for Ronillo and his children. The challenges they overcame as a family made them resilient, even as 4Ps inspired them to work harder. They also continued to diversify their income sources, which now include raising ducks in their backyard.
Even though the family now has multiple income streams, Ronillo continues to make hollow blocks.
The 4Ps Family Development Sessions helped the family get closer and weather many challenges.
The Navarro family remembers Luisa as a loving wife and mother, persevering against the odds, and always looking for opportunities to make a living—including raising goats.
“[People] scoffed at the idea that a mere hollow block maker and domestic worker had such big ambitions, but we did not mind them.”
MA. LUISA NAVARRO
A roof over their heads
Gudoy-Constantino Family
SANCHEZ MIRA, CAGAYAN
REGION II
Merlyn Gudoy’s children were still young when her first husband died. She considers herself fortunate that her current husband, Leonardo “Narding” Constantino, loves David and June, children from her previous marriage, as his own. The couple has three more children together—Leomar, Mark Leo, and Kristel.
Narding, a carpenter by trade, also worked as a tenant farmer through “bulibol,” an Ilocano word for a percentage agreement with the landlord.
Growing up, Merlyn’s children felt they never had enough. But they all had one wish—to have a good roof over their heads so they did not have to worry about leaks from their cogon grass roof whenever it rained. They also prayed that their makeshift coco lumber walls held fast, especially while they were asleep.
Merlyn sold vegetables in the market but ironically, they were always short on food.
“Patibayan na lamang ng sikmura” (We just had to tough it out), son David says, recalling that there were instances when his classmates had to share a portion of their snacks so that he didn’t go hungry in school. Whenever he could, he helped his step-grandmother sell brooms to have a little bit of cash for his needs.
In 2009, the Gudoy-Constantino family qualified for 4Ps, and they were determined to make the most of this opportunity. “My mother made sure we never wasted a centavo from the grants. 4Ps made it possible for me and my siblings to continue our schooling,” David says.
An active community member, Merlyn served as a parent-leader in her barangay where she later became a health worker. Because of her good standing, she was granted capital for sustainable livelihood and went into hog raising, mushroom growing, vegetable and free range chicken production, and selling animal feed under the Municipal Agricultural Office of the Sanchez Mira local government.
Inspired by their parents’ example, the siblings focused on their studies. David is now a registered agriculturist. Leomar, who passed the board exam for Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, was named Researcher of the Year and later won the Young Farmers Challenge of the Department of Agriculture Cagayan for his work on a bagging machine for mushroom production.
The Gudoy-Constantinos lovingly built their home with their own hands. Now made of concrete and steel, it is a testament to their belief that by working together, families can conquer poverty.
“Sa pagtutulungan at patuloy na pagsusumikap, napatunayan naming walang forever sa pagiging mahirap,” the family agrees. (By helping one another and persevering, we proved that poverty doesn’t last forever.)
Narding Constantino is Merlyn Gudoy’s second husband. Before qualifying for 4Ps, Narding worked as a carpenter and a tenant farmer, while Merlyn sold vegetables at the market.
Merlyn also serves as a barangay health worker. She always finds time to interact with local social workers and other members of the community (as pictured above), updating them on her life’s journey and inspiring them to keep doing their best for their families.
A parent-leader, a barangay health worker, and now an emerging entrepreneur—Merlyn is raising freerange chickens in her own backyard.
Just like Merlyn, her husband Narding is a hard worker. Aside from being a carpenter and a tenant farmer, he also helps the family pursue various livelihood activities.
The Gudoy-Constantino children are also committed to helping their parents’ livelihood ventures succeed. In fact one of their sons won a Department of Agriculture Cagayan award for a bagging machine for mushroom production, a technology they now deploy in their own family business.
Growing mushrooms—with the help of technology developed by Merlyn’s son Leomar—has become an important source of income for the family.
“Sa pagtutulungan at patuloy na pagsusumikap, napatunayan naming walang forever sa pagiging mahirap.”
(By helping one another and persevering, we proved that poverty
doesn’t last forever.)
GUDOY-CONSTANTINO FAMILY
A bridge to better days
Before they were admitted into 4Ps, the Rosos household never had enough to live on. Julia’s husband Ranulfo was a construction worker while Julia took on odd jobs like doing laundry and ironing clothes, to provide for their family of ten.
When they were relocated to Barangay Hinukay from San Jose Tumana at the height of the flooding from typhoon Ondoy in 2009, with only their clothes on their backs. Starting over in an unfamiliar place was a struggle for the parents, who had to walk long distances to reach their workplaces. At 16 years old, their eldest son joined his father to do construction work to help put food on the table, while the others also had to do their share.
In 2012, the Rosos family charted a new path for themselves. The cash grants from 4Ps helped the children continue schooling, until one of the five daughters became a teacher. While the children tried to balance working and studying, 4Ps became their bridge to better days.
Julia recalls: “Nakakabili kami ng medyo marami-raming bigas, mayroong pagkain sa mesa. Naitawid namin nang maayos. Hanggang unti unti, naibili ko na rin sila ng mga bagong gamit sa eskwela—mga bag, notebook, papel.”
(We could buy more rice and other food items. We could get through the day. Little by little, I could buy them new clothes for school, as well as bags, notebooks, and paper.)
Becoming a parent-leader was one of the most important changes that 4Ps brought to Julia’s life. She learned to mingle with others who had the same experience as her family. She realized that they could help one another, which also helped her become more confident as a parent, a spouse, and a woman.
The Family Development Sessions also uplifted the family’s spirit, enabling them to dream bigger. She says: “Gusto kong makapagtapos silang lahat. Unang una, dahil karapatan nila ‘yun. Pangalawa, obligasyon namin ‘yun bilang magulang, ‘di ba? Kaya kahit pa gaano kahirap ang buhay, itinatawid namin ang pag-aaral nila.”
(I want all of them to finish school. First, because it is their right. Second, it is our obligation as parents. So no matter how hard life is, we keep them in school.)
Julia takes much pride in the resilience of her children. “Poverty is not inevitable. Kaya natin malagpasan ang kahirapan (We can all overcome poverty),” says John Renz, second child, now studying to become a teacher.
Marcelo Ian, another son, adds: “I walked to and from school, sometimes without lunch or dinner. My notebooks were recycled and my uniforms were yellowish from overuse, but I moved forward, with the help of 4Ps.”
Today, the Rosos family has much to hope for. They are confident they will have better days ahead.
Before 4Ps, Julia and Ranulfo Rosos had a difficult time providing for their family of 10. When the Rosos family qualified for 4Ps in 2012, they were able to provide food on the table and send their children to school.
Julia takes pride in her children’s achievements. Her kids acknowledge how much their parents have sacrificed for them, that they have vowed to complete their education as their way of honoring them.
Because of health challenges, Julia had to stop working as a laundrywoman and trained as a barangay health worker. She considers this an important contribution to the family and the community.
Ranulfo took on work in local farms to augment his salary as a construction worker. He continues to do various kinds of work, but 4Ps has also made it possible for them to meet their daily needs.
The Rosos family experienced profound changes when they were relocated after Typhoon Ondoy pushed them out of a previous home. With the guidance of representatives from the local Social Work and Development office, she was empowered to make sound decisions that benefited her family.
Julia considers becoming a parent-leader a pivotal moment in her 4Ps journey. Social workers and members of the community encouraged her to help others who went through similar challenges.
“Gusto kong makapagtapos [ang mga anak ko]. Unang una, dahil karapatan nila ‘yun. Pangalawa, obligasyon namin ‘yun bilang magulang, ‘di ba? Kaya kahit pa gaano kahirap ang buhay, itinatawid namin ang pag-aaral nila.”
(I want all of them to finish school. First, because it is their right. Second, it is our obligation as parents. So no matter how hard life gets, we keep them in school.)
JULIA ROSOS
Climbing higher, moving farther
“Sa basura kami nagsimula” (We started with trash) is how Criselda Cada, an Indigenous Mangyan from Mulanay, Quezon, describes her life’s journey. At 19, she left home to work as a domestic worker and married Renato, a farmer from Lucban.
With three children, the Cada couple had a tough life. There were times when they could not pay their electricity and water bills. Driven away by landlords, they transferred from house to house until they settled in Barangay Igang, where they built a makeshift house with a roof made with anahaw leaves and walls from coco lumber cut-ups.
Criselda took on odd jobs, going from jueteng (an illegal numbers game) agent, to vendor, to laundrywoman, to hired hand, just to make ends meet. Together with her children, she scavenged for metal scraps and bottles, while helping her farmer husband plant rice and vegetables.
The Cada family could not imagine a future beyond their daily struggle to put food on the table until they qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries in 2012.
4Ps enabled the Cadas to balance work and family time. They made it a point to go to church, eat, watch TV, and play together. The children also gained confidence as they could now wear decent clothes and go to school regularly.
Criselda recalls: “Dati kaming tinutuksong mabaho.” (People used to call us foul-smelling.) She adds that they have since gone past that painful phase to become a model family in their community.
Criselda became a barangay health worker. During the height of the pandemic, the family shared vegetables from their own backyard through the community pantry. Renato volunteered his tricycle to ferry health workers from their homes through checkpoints.
Children John Paul and Hannah added to the family income by doing extra work and farming after school, thus saving up for their individual needs. Together with Christian, they are active in their community as disaster operations volunteers and members of the Barangay Children’s Association.
“Doble kayod pa lalo tayo” (We must work doubly hard), Renato reminds his family, as they prepare to exit 4Ps.
Now also running her own sari-sari store, Criselda smiles as she thinks about how far they have come— land they can call their own, savings in the bank, and two children in college!
Criselda Cada proudly displays the awards the family received as a Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya (Model 4Ps Family) in 2023.
Renato and Criselda’s son John Paul helps his parents with farm work.
Criselda now works as a barangay health worker (assisting a child during her health checkup in picture) and has come a long way from picking up and selling metal scraps and bottles.
4Ps helps the Cada family balance work and home life. It has also given them the time to serve their local community as leaders and volunteers.
To supplement their income, the Cadas also run a small sari-sari store.
and
are working very hard to make sure their children stay in school. Two of their three kids are currently in college.
Renato
Criselda
The Cada family is well on their way to exit 4Ps, but they know that they will have to continue working hard. “Doble kayod pa lalo tayo” (We must work doubly hard), Renato tells his family.
The transformative power of self-confidence
The Malunes family believes that education is the key to success. Mother Fe did not have the opportunity to go to college, but together with her husband Deogracias, she instilled in her children the love of learning and value of serving the community. No matter how hard life got, the Malunes children remained focused on their goal of receiving an education.
Daughter Jessebel earned a Bachelor of Elementary Education at the Palawan State University–Quezon Campus and passed the licensure exam for teachers. The second and third daughters, Jenelyn and Janessa, both finished their Bachelor of Science degrees in Secondary Education. The fourth in the brood, Janese, completed a Computer Science degree.
Having all four children finish college was a herculean task for the Malunes couple. The children, on the other hand, had to endure much hardship and hunger on many ocassions to hold on to their dreams.
Relief came when the family qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries. Janese, as well as fifth and sixth children Japhet and JB, were monitored by the program on education and health. Fe also served as a parent-leader, allowing her to share her experiences through Family Development Sessions.
Fe keeps faith in the transformative power of self-confidence leading to empowerment. Her family has become an inspiration to others as they continue to serve the community through programs, such as Samahang Itinatag Bilang Aktibong Tagapagbantay (SIBAT) and the Barangay Emergency Rescue Team (BERT).
Fe enumerates the ingredients to a happy and successful family that refuses to give up amidst life’s harshest trials—“Pagtutulungan, pag-uunawaan, pagmamahal sa bawat isa, at higit sa lahat mayroong pananalig at pananampalataya sa ating Panginoon.” (Helping one another, understanding and loving each other, and above all, having faith in the Lord.)
Fe became a widow in 2015. She now devotes most of her time to giving back to the community that embraced her and her children, serving as a representative promoting awareness of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) in her barangay. She also pays it forward by caring for the Indigenous people in nearby Sitio Maruso, and bridging their understanding of their rights as Filipinos.
Fe says: “Maraming salamat sa ating gobyerno sa mga oportunidad na binibigay upang tayo ay makatulong sa ating kapwa, sa ating barangay, sa ating bayan, higit sa lahat sa ating sarili upang umunlad ang pamumuhay.” (I thank the government for the opportunities given to us, so we can help our fellow community members and the country, as we improve our own lives.)
Malunes Family
RIZAL, PALAWAN
REGION
IV-B
Fe Malunes believes in the transformative power of self-confidence, which leads to empowerment.
Fe actively serves the Indigenous community in Sitio Maruso, Candawaga, Rizal, Palawan. Together with her children, she helps members of the Indigenous community gain a better understanding of their rights as Filipinos.
Aside from working with the Indigenous members of their community, she is also an advocate for women’s and children’s rights.
Fe was widowed in 2015. Since then, she has dedicated a big chunk of her time serving her local community.
Fe credits 4Ps for helping her realize what she’s most passionate about—helping others, even as she and her family find ways to improve their lives.
Fe became a 4Ps parent-leader, using the Family Development Sessions as an opportunity to share her life experiences with other families.
“Maraming salamat sa ating gobyerno sa mga oportunidad na binibigay upang tayo ay makatulong sa ating kapwa, sa ating barangay, sa ating bayan, higit sa lahat sa ating sarili upang umunlad ang pamumuhay.”
(I thank the government for the opportunities given to us, so we can help our fellow community members and the country, as we improve our own lives.)
FE MALUNES
Light at the end of the tunnel
Jenny Azor is the mother of eleven children—seven girls and four boys.
With husband Nestor having no permanent job, Jenny juggled work in a poultry factory with the demands of home and family.
Jenny recalls: “Lubhang salat ang aming pamumuhay noon na para bang nasa loob kami ng walang katapusang madilim na lagusan.” (Life was so hard then that it seemed like we were in a dark, endless tunnel.)
Pinning their hopes on education, the Azor family pushed their children to continue schooling despite the hardships.
The situation changed when they qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries. The couple attributed their transformation to the benefits of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) that they attended as a family.
Through the program, they learned how to save, despite their meager resources, and push their limits to escape the cycle of poverty.
These efforts not only enriched their family life but also gave them more confidence and strength to face their problems.
On a personal level, Jenny became more confident of her own capabilities and was able to establish herself not just as a leader in her own family but in the community. Nestor, meanwhile, helps provide for the family by making ice cream with special flavors.
The Azor family will always be grateful for the following milestones:
• Emergency shelter assistance worth PhP30,000 that enabled them to rebuild after typhoon Nina flattened their home in 2016
• Expanded Student’s Grant in Aid for Poverty Alleviation scholarship for son Mark Carmelo who is now a public school teacher
• Cash grants that mostly went to the schooling of children, among them Maria Corazon who served as barangay councilor and became a teacher
• Another son now serving with the Armed Forces of the Philippines
• FDS that boosted Jenny’s confidence to chair the Committee on Violence Against Women and Children and the Committee on Appropriations of their barangay
Now, the Azors can only see light, becoming ever brighter, at the end of the tunnel.
Fe and Nestor Azor proudly display not just the Huwarang Pamilya award they received from the DSWD in 2023, but also the medals and other awards their children received in school.
Mark, one of Jenny and Nestor’s kids, has completed a degree in education, and now works as a public school teacher. He was able to complete his studies with the help of the Expanded Student’s Grant in Aid for Poverty Alleviation.
Nestor didn’t have a permanent job before the family qualified for 4Ps. Today, he helps provide for the family by making ice cream.
Nestor makes interesting ice cream flavors, including seasonal guyabano.
Because of 4Ps, Jenny became more confident, giving her the opportunity to serve as a leader in the community. She regularly interacts with social workers to update them on her 4Ps journey.
4Ps was a transformative experience for the Azors. Aside from giving them access to financial resources, the program also taught them to spend time together as a family. They particularly enjoy having picnics at the beach.
“Life was so hard that it seemed like we were in a dark, endless tunnel,” Jenny recalls.
Today, the Azors can see the light at the end of the tunnel becoming brighter.
Through sheer will and determination
Romel Marcelino’s mother and three brothers died of dystonia, a complex neurological disorder characterized by muscle contractions. Known locally as “lubag” (twisting), dystonia causes uncontrollable twisting and repetitive movements, or engage in abnormal postures and positions.
Living in an off-grid island barangay where the folk healer (arbularyo) wielded influence, lubag patients were considered hexed (nakulam). Because of this, the Marcelino family was marked as “cursed.”
Romel completed a two-year course at the Philippine Merchant Marine School in Manila, with the help of a kind relative. When he decided to start a family with Estrellita, the inability to make both ends meet prompted him to return to his fishing village where he found his brothers showing symptoms of dystonia. His fear of meeting the same fate grew so much that he took solace in drinking, neglecting his duties as a husband and father and self-fulfilling the “curse” of poverty, sickness, and malas (misfortune).
2010 was a turning point in the lives of the Marcelinos as they qualified for 4Ps. Estrellita, then pregnant with their sixth child, was finally able to have pre- and post-natal check-ups. The children also had monthly health checks. As the couple also became active in Family Development Sessions, they gained a better understanding of dystonia and the need to take care of the family’s well-being.
Just as everything was falling into place, supertyphoon Yolanda struck in 2013. The family lost their home and source of livelihood and had to leave the island. A doctor couple took them under their wing, and they started life anew in a nearby barangay.
Five years later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. It was around this time that one after the other, Romel’s brothers passed on, ending years of suffering from dystonia. By then, Romel had become more informed about the disease and knew how to handle it.
Through sheer will and determination, Romel is able to care for his family and his 83-year-old father who has chosen to stay in their island home. He largely attributes his family’s achievements to 4Ps and credits the program for their freedom from ignorance and extreme poverty.
When he became president of the 54-member Barangay Barosbos Managat Association (BMMA), the group established a community-based credit association that grew its PhP100,000 capitalization to PhP2 million! They did this by producing artificial coral reefs, their contribution to protecting the environment. Meanwhile, Estrellita led the local parent-teachers association and was active in other similar organizations.
Through 4Ps, the eldest daughter Stella Mae availed of the Extended Student Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation and graduated cum laude, subsequently passing the licensure examination for teachers. She is now helping send her other siblings to school, one of whom is Ellayza, who is a civil engineer working in Iloilo. The rest of the brood are still in school and are being monitored by 4Ps.
The Marcelinos are in for better things now that they are considered “self-sufficient” level 3 in the Social Welfare and Development Indicators assessment. This means that they have “enough income and resources in meeting the demands of all household members.”
Marcelino Family CARLES, ILOILO REGION VI
With the help of 4Ps, Romel and Estrellita are able to send their kids to school. Two of their six children have completed their education—Stella Mae graduated cum laude with an education degree and is now a teacher, while Ellayza recently passed the civil engineering licensure exam.
The Marcelino family has made great strides in their 4Ps journey. Today, they are considered “self-sufficient” level 3 in the Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) assessment.
Although a graduate of a two-year course at the Philippine Merchant Marine School, Romel has chosen to go back to his hometown to take care of his family and make a living as a fisherman.
Through fishing—coupled by sheer will and determination—Romel is able to provide for the needs of his family, including his 83-year-old father.
Romel cares about the welfare of other fishing families in his community. He served as president of the Barangay Barosbos Managat Association (BBMA), a community-based credit association that also produces artificial reefs.
Under Romel’s leadership, BBMA grew its financial resources. It had an initial capitalization of PhP100,000. Now it has resources worth around PhP2 million and benefits 54 members.
Romel largely attributes his family’s achievements to 4Ps and credits the program for their freedom from ignorance and extreme poverty.
Strong families make strong communities
When Helen and Rustico dela Peña’s firstborn finished high school, he had to augment the family income until he got married. The second and third children also prioritized work over studies so they could help feed a family of eleven. The fourth and fifth children also stopped schooling to earn a living.
The sixth child worked at a barangay day care center and eventually finished college as a Department of Science and Technology scholar. Today, she teaches at the Santa Catalina National High School and continues to help the family with their daily needs.
In 2009, when Rosglorioso, the seventh child, was about to enter high school, the dela Peña family qualified for 4Ps. As a 4Ps monitored child, he excelled in school, maximizing the use of cash grants that helped him earn a degree in Elementary Education. Since he started teaching at the Don Pablo Carmen Blanco Utzurrum Memorial Elementary School in 2018, he has helped send his younger siblings to school.
Education served as the bridge for the dela Peñas to move out of extreme poverty. The next three children finished high school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS). And lately, one of the grandchildren, April Joy, took a course in Criminology. Because of 4Ps, the dela Peñas learned to value education and realized that the future indeed looks brighter than before.
As the youngest among the children, Rostello, enters Grade 10, Helen and Rustico remain active in 4Ps activities, making it a point to participate in PTA assemblies, especially because one of their sons is active in the student government.
With his experience in construction, Rustico helps in classroom maintenance and keeps his family in the loop through the Family Development Sessions.
Together, the family consistently finds new ways to improve their lot. Before the pandemic, they tried hog raising and ran a bakery. They are also active in their community through Couples for Christ and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, and helped establish an association that provides accessible and affordable water for everyone in their village.
Helen said: “Ngayon, nakakakain na kami nang tatlong beses sa isang araw at mayroon pang pangmeryenda, at mas gumaan na ang aming pamumuhay. Layunin din ng programa na turuan ang bawat miyembro sa pagkakaroon ng napananatiling kaunlaran sa tahanan, gaya ng pagkakaroon ng sariling gulayan, pag-iimpok, paghahanap ng mapagkakakitaan … na makakabuti sa pamilya, at ito ay isinabuhay namin.”
(Now, we are able to eat three times a day, plus snacks. Our lives have improved. The program teaches each member how to uplift the family and make themselves more self-sufficient—grow vegetables, save money, and earn a living.)
Dela Peña Family BASAY, NEGROS ORIENTAL
VII AND NEGROS ISLAND REGION
The dela Peñas consider education their ticket out of extreme poverty. Today, seventh child Rosglorioso is a public school teacher, grandchild April Joy is pursuing Criminology, and youngest son Rostello is in junior high school.
Helen serves actively as a frontline barangay health worker in Basay, Negros Oriental.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the dela Peñas also ran a small bakery and shared bread with their neighbors.
The dela Peñas became part of 4Ps in 2009. “Naging katuwang ng aming pamilya ang cash grants na natatanggap namin bawat dalawang buwan mula sa 4Ps,” said Helen. “Malaking tulong ito sa pagpapaaral ng aming mga anak.” (The cash grants we receive every other month help us send our children to school.)
Helen and Rustico started raising hogs with the help of the cash grants they received through 4Ps.
Helen and Rustico’s entrepreneurial spirit led them to start the Lintob Water System Association, which provides clean spring water to 150 households.
Rustico started fetching water from a spring near their house 12 years ago. But knowing his neighbors also needed clean water, he used his skills in construction work to give his neighbors access to the water source.
“Ngayon, nakakakain na kami nang tatlong beses sa isang araw at mayroon pang pangmeryenda, at mas gumaan na ang aming pamumuhay.”
(Now, we are able to eat three times a day, plus snacks. Our lives have improved.)
HELEN DELA PEÑA
Betting on leadership
De Paz Family
MAYORGA, LEYTE
REGION VIII
Irreconcilable differences that ultimately led to a protective order against her estranged husband compelled Marilyn de Paz to single-handedly fend for the family. As debts piled up, she took on odd jobs to support her children and relied on the kindness of other people, especially when the kids got sick. She also needed to make sure that Kristine, Kyla, and Kris's asthma, and Wendy's hypertension were managed properly.
Aggravating the situation were the general living conditions of the family—Marilyn and her daughter Apple had to sleep in a dirty kitchen, while the other daughters sought shelter in a relative’s house.
Undaunted by the challenges, Marilyn worked as a laundrywoman and domestic worker. She also found time to volunteer with organizations like World Vision and DIADEM, on top of serving as a job order employee in the local government unit of Mayorga, Leyte.
That is why the inclusion of the de Paz family in the 4Ps was a life-changing experience.
Marilyn says: “Ang 4Ps ay naging katuwang ko upang makapag-aral at makapagtapos ang aking mga anak.” (4Ps helped me send my children to school.).
Maximizing their cash allowances, Marilyn’s children also pitched in by working during weekends—Kyla did encoding during her spare time, while Wendy swept neighbors’ front yards to earn her lunch money or in exchange for bread and coffee.
Marilyn benefited from 4Ps training sessions and her volunteering engagements helped her gain access to economic opportunities.
She explains: “Maraming kaalaman sa Family Development Sessions (FDS) ang aking natutunan.… Dahil sa 4Ps, nalaman ko rin ang tungkol sa pagpapanatili ng gulayan dahil ito ay itinuturo ng programa. Naging kasangkapan ang 4Ps na maging maalam ako sa pakikinig at pakikitungo sa kapwa o sa ibang tao.”
(I learned quite a lot from FDS. Because of 4Ps, I learned how to grow a vegetable garden. 4Ps taught me to listen well and to relate with other people better.)
Wendy earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and is now Social Welfare Officer 1 at the Mayorga local government unit. She is pursuing a master’s degree. Apple finished a Bachelor of Science in MAPEH, magna cum laude. She also passed the licensure exam for teachers. Kyla finished grade school as valedictorian. Kris, meanwhile, is in ninth grade.
Marilyn was elected as a barangay official without spending a single centavo. The people she helped and inspired with her own life’s journey gifted her with their trust.
Even as a solo parent, Marilyn made sure that her children stayed in school. Two of her children have earned college degrees.
Marilyn considers inclusion in 4Ps a life-changing experience. She says 4Ps helped her send her kids to school.
Marilyn’s life story is nothing short of dramatic—from a single mother who had to work odd jobs to provide for her children, she is now a pillar or her community, having been elected as a barangay official in the last elections.
The 4Ps training sessions, coupled with her interest in volunteering for community activities, boosted Marilyn’s confidence and honed her leadership skills.
As a 4Ps beneficiary, a volunteer, and respected barangay official, Marilyn serves as an inspiration to the women in her community, especially those who dream of a better life.
Marilyn continues to find time to interact with the social workers who inspired her in her 4Ps journey.
“Naging kasangkapan ang 4Ps na maging maalam ako sa pakikinig at pakikitungo sa kapwa.”
(4Ps taught me to listen well and to relate with other people better.)
MARILYN DE PAZ
Holding on together
The Sumali family’s simple and happy life turned upside down when the father Francisco became seriously ill.
Unable to afford hospital fees, they sought help from faith healers or arbularyos. Children Jinmar, Jinrose, and Sundy also cared for their bedridden father, while their mother Chona took over his work at the farm.
“Money was always short. I did not make enough from copra and helping out in the farm,” Chona recalls. With children going to school and a sick husband to look after, she could only hope for things to get a little better.
4Ps provided the Sumali family a respite from life’s blows and a lifeline to the future.
The cash grants not only provided for their daily needs, but enabled them to save a little to invest in their own land and grow pigs to sell.
Chona says that she greatly appreciated the Family Development Sessions, which changed their mindset about family and life in general. She took to heart the knowledge imparted by DSWD social workers— that it was best to have a backyard garden to aid the family in daily sustenance, and even have extra income if the harvest was good.
The Sumalis also made it a point to be prepared with their “e-balde” (emergency supplies bucket) for disaster readiness.
These may seem like small steps, but for the Sumalis, they have made big, bold moves to improve their lives and invest in the next generation.
“We are proud to say that we learned a lot from 4Ps. It allowed us to become a happy family with a relatively comfortable life,” Chona says with a smile.
4Ps ignited the entrepreneurial spirit of Francisco and Chona Sumali. With the help of the cash grants, they were able to diversify their sources of income. One of their income streams is copra production.
Francisco Sumali was seriously ill before they qualified for 4Ps. His wife Chona had to take over his work at the farm. Today, Francisco is back on his feet, and regularly updates social workers on their family life and livelihood.
Chona has always been hardworking—she spends a lot of her time caring for their hogs, tending their garden, and ensuring the quality of the copra they produce.
The Sumalis also invested in raising hogs in their own backyard, which proved profitable.
Chona proudly says that 4Ps helped her family live a happy and comfortable life.
Aside from their work at the farm, the Sumalis also actively participate in 4Ps Family Development Sessions, which they credit for changing their mindset about family and life in general. The couple also makes sure to relax and take strolls at a nearby beach.
“We are proud to say that we learned a lot from 4Ps. It allowed us to become a happy family with a relatively comfortable life.”
CHONA SUMALI
Faith, hope, love
Maricel Recustodio is the first to admit that hers is a complicated tale of faith, hope, and love. She signed up for 4Ps while still with her husband, who left her twice. Forced to raise their five children alone, she washed clothes for a living and later took out a loan to open a barangay snack house.
The small business somehow sustained their needs. But as the children grew, there was not enough income to get by. She also realized that life for her and her children would only get better if they helped each other out.
To inspire her children to finish their studies, Maricel herself decided to go back to school. With the help of the Commission on Higher Education’s Tertiary Education Subsidy Program, Maricel is, as of 2024, in her final year as a Business Administration student.
Two of her children, in the meantime, are enrolled in the Mindanao State University, both doing well in their respective courses—Civil Engineering and Information Technology.
According to Maricel, 4Ps helped her become a good member of the community. She values the assistance provided by the program, as well as the many opportunities that continue to come her way.
“I am focused on seeing my children through college,” she says, adding that this will assure them of stable jobs in the future.
Maricel remains hopeful and is thankful that 4Ps is part of their journey.
Recustodio Family
ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE REGION X
Maricel Recustodio believes that she has to be a good example to her kids. To inspire them to finish their studies, she enrolled in a Business Administration course.
Maricel was able to go back to school with the help of CHED’s higher education subsidy program.
Maricel saved a little bit of cash from doing her neighbors’ laundry, and took out a loan to open a snack house in their barangay. The snack house was able to sustain her family’s needs until expenses started mounting as the kids got older.
As a solo parent, she had to support her family by working as a laundrywoman.
Maricel is now in her final year as a student, poised to earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Major in Finance.
Even as she is preparing to earn a degree, she is also committed to doing whatever she can to see her children through college.
According to Maricel, 4Ps helped her become a productive member of the community. She values the assistance provided by the program, as well as the many opportunities that continue to come her way.
Shelter from life's storms
Romeo Amihan talks about his children with much pride. Son RJ Aaron is now training at the country’s police academy and Roxan, his twin brother, is on his way to becoming a civil engineer. Rudolph, meanwhile, is preparing for overseas deployment, in line with his butchery training course. Mark is set to enter college. The two youngest in the brood, Xyrah Jane and Arwenn, are both high-performing grade school students.
Romeo looks back on how he and his wife started as a couple, rearing young twins and having neither their own home nor any income source. After living with relatives for a while, they invested in a small plot of land in Barangay San Vicente and engaged in farming.
But yields from a small farm could not sustain the needs of a growing family. Romeo’s wife had to go to the United Arab Emirates as an overseas Filipino worker when their children started schooling.
Just when they thought life was getting a little better, a devastating typhoon hit Davao de Oro in 2012. The Amihans lost not just their crops but practically all their belongings, as they ran for their lives when strong winds, rains, and debris pummeled their home.
Living far from the center of town, aid did not come until after three days. With the little strength he had left, Romeo went back to his farm and retrieved whatever he could to calm his children’s rumbling stomachs.
Assistance from government came afterwards. The Amihans qualified for housing support, which helped them get back on their feet. But no sooner had they recovered from the storm when Romeo and his two sons got sick, one with intestinal disease and the other fighting depression.
As the cost of medicines mounted, the family got deeper and deeper into debt. This was when 4Ps came along and Romeo became a co-facilitator helping local DSWD personnel with program implementation. This kind of leadership did not go unnoticed by his neighbors and community members—when he ran as barangay kagawad in 2018, he won.
Emphasizing the need for families to work together, he was also appointed as the town’s Gender and Development officer.
Romeo also led his group as president of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD. He organized and managed programs for proper nutrition and sustainable livelihood, volunteering in other programs that bring families and communities together.
The Amihan family is grateful to 4Ps, which served as their shelter from life’s storms.
4Ps helped the Amihan family become close to one another. For them, spending time together, especially during meals, remains a priority.
Romeo and the rest of the Amihan family are grateful for the continuing support of the DSWD and 4Ps, which has thrown them a lifeline during challenging times.
The main source of livelihood for Romeo is farming, but with the help of 4Ps, he also started raising chickens in his backyard.
Romeo has experienced profound changes in his life since joining 4Ps. Even today, he continues to share milestones with the project officers who helped him through his 4Ps journey.
Aside from tending his small farm, Romeo also serves as a leader for the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood program, organizing and managing nutrition, livelihood, and volunteerism activities.
Romeo always keeps himself busy—whether through livelihood activities, fixing their home, or serving his community through various activities.
The Amihan family is grateful to 4Ps, which served as their shelter from life’s storms.
One family, one direction
(The Rala family are members of the Indigenous T’boli group of South Cotabato. This story is a firsthand account from the family’s eldest daughter, Crystyl Mae.)
My parents are both farmers. We live simply, content that we can eat three times a day. Whatever my parents earn is just enough for our daily needs. We are happy with what we have.
But when my six-year-old brother, the youngest in our brood, suffered heat stroke, we were devastated! Confined at the hospital and unable to speak or move for two months, we thought he would not recover.
I often saw and heard my parents praying, desperately pleading to God to spare their son. My chest felt so heavy whenever I saw my parents in tears, yet fighting to keep themselves together.
I felt their pain as they sacrificed a lot to put our lives back on track. My mother even had to quit work at the farm to take care of my then-paralyzed brother while also taking care of her other children.
But God is good. He answered our prayers, helping us with our daily needs. In 2010, we qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries.
The first cash grant helped us buy piglets, which we bred so we could raise more pigs. This helped cover my brother’s medical needs. Any extra amount was invested in farm equipment.
As a family, we religiously followed the requirements of 4Ps—making sure that we, the children, stayed in school and had regular checkups at the health center, while my parents attended Family Development Sessions.
Our farm then produced more, and we were able to help other IPs in the community. We helped our parents plant corn, peanuts, and vegetables, among others, so that we could save on labor cost. Not long after, we bought our own motorized vehicle for deliveries, as my father decided to leave the big farm he worked for to till his own land.
Now, I can say that life has changed for the better since we got into 4Ps. I am now a college student, taking up BS Education. My sister Rachelle is also studying to become a social worker. Both of us are inspired by 4Ps, and we have made it our life’s goal to teach and to help our fellow IPs.
To show our gratitude to God, 4Ps, and the community who helped us get to where we are now, my parents donated a parcel of land so a church could be built. We allow our neighbors free use of our vehicle during emergencies. Our farm is also being used as a model farm by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry so we can share what we know with other farming families.
Rala Family
T’BOLI, SOUTH COTABATO REGION XII
When Roperto and Rhea Rala’s son was six years old, he suffered heat stroke, which paralyzed him for an extended period. Their participation in 4Ps helped them with their son’s health needs, as he gradually recovered.
Rhea
Roperto and
Rala are members of the Indigenous T’boli community of Barangay Afus.
it a
The Ralas consider
family affair to look after the farm. They help one another during planting and harvesting.
Over time, the Rala family was able to make their farm prosper—they invested in farm equipment and grew a variety of crops, including tomatoes.
The Rala family makes sure to share what they have with their fellow Indigenous people. The T’boli of Barangay Afus are a close-knit community, helping one another whenever the need arises.
4Ps gave the Rala family the platform to share their expertise in farming. They are generous when it comes to sharing their knowledge and experience in farming with whoever is interested in learning about it, including the 4Ps social workers who regularly interact with them.
“Handa na rin ang aming pamilya na grumadweyt sa programa dahil sobra-sobra na rin po ang aming natatanggap na biyaya.
Sana ay marami pang pamilya ang matulungan ng 4Ps na umangat at umasenso sa buhay.”
(Our family is ready to graduate from 4Ps, because we’ve already received a lot of blessings. I hope 4Ps helps more families improve their lives.)
CRYSTYL MAE RALA, DAUGHTER OF ROPERTO AND RHEA
Sailing through rough seas
Merdeza Tandugon’s husband Renee, the family’s sole breadwinner, had just lost his job in Manila. To make matters worse, Merdeza and daughters Kristine Marie and Vanessa Lyka were evicted from their barong-barong (shanty), in the shoreline town of Malimono, Surigao del Norte. If not for a kind couple who allowed them to stay in their old kubo (nipa hut), the family would not have a roof over their heads.
On June 27, 2008, the Tandugon family received the welcome news that they qualified for 4Ps. They considered it a huge blessing to have some money for food and to keep the children in school.
“Hulog ng langit talaga ang 4Ps!” (4Ps is heaven-sent!) Merdeza exclaims.
Two years later, Renee returned to Surigao as a construction worker. Just when things were beginning to look up, Vanessa got sick. Health workers said that not having proper pre- and postnatal care could have been one of the reasons for her blood infection. Most of the pregnant women in their village never get to visit a hospital but deliver through a “hilot” (traditional birth attendant) at home.
“I asked for help from our barangay, town, and DWSD as our bills continued to pile up. Through hard work and the help of 4Ps, we were able to sail through the rough seas somehow,” Merdeza says.
In 2019, daughter Kristine passed the licensure exam for teachers. She now teaches at the Bunyasan National High School, while spending her spare time tutoring children.
With Vanessa now in 11th grade, Merdeza has more time to give back to God as lector and catechist at their local church and to the community as parent-leader. Even Renee is actively involved in community work.
“Life is so much better now. With the help of God, community, and 4Ps, I can say that we as a family can take on any storm and sail through rough seas with our heads held high,” Merdeza declares with pride.
Tandugon Family
MALIMONO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE REGION XIII
As a stay-at-home
Merdeza is a loving wife and mother to two daughters. She enjoys preparing meals for her family in their home in Malimono.
mom, Merdeza keeps herself busy with housework.
The Tandugons’ younger daughter Vanessa is currently in senior high school. Their firstborn Kristine is now a public high school teacher.
Today, the family is back together in Malimono. Renee actively works on various construction projects.
Merdeza does not fail to thank the social workers and DSWD officers who have helped her and her family throughout their time in 4Ps.
Today, Merdeza has more time for her community— aside from serving as a lector and catechist in their local church, she also works closely with DSWD officers and spends time as a parent leader in the community.
“Life is so much better now. With the help of God, community, and 4Ps, I can say that we as a family can take on any storm and sail through rough seas with our heads held high.”
MERDEZA TANDUGON
Leveling up for sustainable livelihood
Asnia Limpao Kasim and her husband Malod worked as tenants in a rice farm owned by a barangay official. To help with her family’s food requirements, Asnia lovingly tended a small vegetable garden. When the harvest was good, she sold her extra produce in the markets of Esperanza and Isulan to help augment their family income, especially since her daughter Saima now went to school in another town.
A volunteer health worker, Asnia worked without compensation, but was happy to serve the community that embraced her after they left the town of Balabagan in search of better opportunities.
When the Kasim family qualified for 4Ps, Asnia also shared her love for gardening with other families, not only teaching them to plant, but also opening her little garden for communal use. This encouraged other families to focus on nutrition and make the most of their rice and other subsidies.
Asnia was steadfast in her belief that she could help others by also helping herself. She actively participated in Family Development Sessions and Islamic gatherings through membership in the Ummahat, a group of women organized by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
After Asnia attended a seminar at the University of Southern Mindanao organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Oxfam, a concoction served by students of the university caught her fancy. They called it Katansi juice (kamote, tanglad, and kalamansi, plus tubo; or sweet potato leaves, lemongrass, and calamansi, with sugarcane), but the servers would only tell her about the ingredients and refused to reveal the process for preparing it.
When she went home, she noted that all the ingredients could be found in her garden, so she started experimenting. After several tries, her mixture still did not measure up. With the help of her husband, co-parents, and leaders, she found the right mix.
Happy with their collective formula, Asnia mustered enough courage to use a portion of her cash grants to produce Katansi. It became a hit among teachers and visitors, because it tasted good, and they believed it was rich in Vitamin C and could boost the immune system. Even the town mayor and foreign guests liked the product, and promoted it by word of mouth.
Asnia offered the product to different clients—LGUs, family, friends, business owners, to name just a few. She used savings from her cash grant worth PhP59,000 to produce more and promote her product.
Today, Katansi is certified by the Department of Trade and Industry and Asnia continues to receive more orders— a fitting start for the next phase in Asnia’s journey under DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Kasim Family
DATU ABDULLAH SANGKI, MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO
Asnia grows different vegetables in their garden. Whenever harvest is particularly abundant, she sells vegetables at nearby markets.
Malod and Asnia Kasim worked as tenant farmers, but they also tended a small vegetable garden near their house.
Asnia opened up her garden to the members of their Ummahat, a group for Muslim women, so she could teach them to grow vegetables.
Being part of 4Ps gave Asnia the opportunity to participate actively in Family Development Sessions facilitated by 4Ps representatives.
With the encouragement of social workers, she mustered the courage to produce a drink called Katansi, using plants available in her garden. Today, Katansi is a DTIcertified product.
Asnia always gives thanks to Allah for how 4Ps has helped turn their lives around.
Asnia was steadfast in her belief that she could help others by also helping herself. She actively participated in Family Development Sessions and inspired women in her community.
“[4Ps] gives us the best fighting chance
escaping the vicious cycle of poverty.”
Families thriving with the help of 4Ps
At present, 4Ps is implemented in 41,746 barangays, covering 148 cities and 1,485 municipalities across 82 provinces nationwide. At least 4.3 million households all over the country are actively participating in the program. The families featured in this book are just 17 of the millions whose lives have been transformed by the intervention.
In June 2024, during the fifth anniversary commemoration of the signing of Republic Act 11310 (The 4Ps Act of 2019), Roxan Jane Arenas, a former 4Ps monitored child, spoke about how the program helped her and her family overcome numerous challenges. She said: “During my elementary years, I walked several kilometers to school with my wornout slippers, tattered bags, and clothes, and one peso as pambaon (monetary allowance)…. However, 4Ps changed the trajectory of my life. I was able to pursue my education and graduated cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, major in Content Education. All my hard work paid off and thank God I was part of the Top 10 during the September 2019 licensure examination for teachers.”
Today, Roxan is a teacher at the Daan Montealegre Elementary School in Cebu, instilling in her students the importance of education. She also continues to attest to the effectiveness of 4Ps.
She says: “4Ps serves as a beacon of hope for millions of poor Filipinos. It gives us hope to continue striving amidst life’s adversities and insurmountable obstacles. Moreover, the program gives us the best fighting chance of escaping the vicious cycle of poverty.”
With the help of 4Ps, Roxan's family as well as millions of other Filipino families are able to thrive.
Roxan Jane Arenas, a former 4Ps monitored child from Cebu, speaks during the fifth anniversary commemoration of the 4Ps Act in June 2024:
of
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian acknowledges the achievements of four former 4Ps monitored children who passed and topped the recently conducted Social Workers Licensure Examination during the 4Ps National Family Congress held in October 2024.
The Secretary personally conveys his congratulations to Sheena Marie Obispo from Region 5 (Bicol) who bagged the first spot in the licensure exam; Brigette Wong from Region 12 (Soccsksargen) in the fifth spot; Sigfrid Garwil Bugas from Caraga Region in the sixth spot, and Marc Danielle Maceda from Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) in the eighth spot.
MESSAGE FROM
Zone V Camera Club
We at Zone V Camera Club are honored to be part of the book Thrive, a documentation of The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This initiative has allowed us to capture images and share the inspiring success stories of some of the most resilient individuals in our society. Through our lenses, we have witnessed firsthand the incredible journeys of the poorest of the poor, who have risen above their circumstances with hope, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to their values.
Our members feel privileged to have been granted access to these deeply personal stories. Each image we captured tells a tale of perseverance and the strength of the human spirit. These stories are not just about overcoming poverty; they are about the triumph of the human will and the power of community support.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ayala Foundation Inc. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their unwavering support and partnership. Their dedication to uplifting lives and fostering sustainable development has been instrumental in making this book a reality.
We also want to express our deepest thanks to the families who welcomed us into their lives and allowed us to document their journeys. Your stories have touched our hearts and will undoubtedly inspire many others.
Now on its 46th year, Zone V Camera Club continues to strive for excellence and to elevate the art and appreciation of photography. Through our work, we aim to touch people’s lives, evoke emotions, and spark conversations that lead to positive change.
As we look back on this incredible journey, we are reminded of the power of storytelling through images. We are proud to have been a part of this project and look forward to continuing our mission of using photography as a tool for social good.
Thank you once again to Ayala Foundation Inc., the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the remarkable families we had the privilege to meet. Your stories are the heart of the Thrive Book Project, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share them with the world.
Leys Masangcay President
About Zone V Camera Club
Zone V Camera Club, one of the country’s premier clubs of photographers, brings together professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts who share a passion for photography.
Established in 1978, the club’s mission is to inspire excellence in the art of photography while fostering camaraderie and knowledge-sharing among members from all walks of life.
The club conducts continuous learning and development programs for its members as well as recreational shoots and fun activities within and outside the Philippines. Monthly themed photo contests are conducted to keep members engaged and sharpen their aesthetics.
Photo
credits (in order of appearance)
National Capital Region
Roque Family
Navotas City
Jose Feliciano A. Dytuco (team leader)
Argyle Blaine T. Camacho
Wilfred D. de Vera
Maria Teresita L. Yam
Alfred Raymund V. Legaspi III
Cordillera Administrative Region
Dinamling Family
Kiangan, Ifugao
Edouard Kobi G. Janairo (team leader)
Brian A. Agana
Andrew M. Magturo
Henry K. Tan
Daniel T. Yu
Region I, Ilocos Region
Navarro Family
Santa Maria, Pangasinan
Lester G. Abes (team leader)
Arlene Donaire Pamintuan
Josine Catherine Luzeen A. Sampedro
David B. Lim
Region II, Cagayan Valley
Gudoy-Constantino Family
Sanchez Mira, Cagayan
Brian A. Agana (team leader)
Crisostomo Z. San Jose
Millicent R. San Jose
Arnel Macariola
Region III, Central Luzon
Rosos Family
Baliuag City, Bulacan
Maria Socorro S. Blanco (team leader)
John Simoun L. Santos
Fria Day S. Delfin
Ruben C. Ranin
Keven Vincent P. Guanzon
Angelo P. Amistoso
Oscar S. Soriano
Region IVA, Calabarzon
Cada Family
Lucban, Quezon
Wilfredo D. De Vera (team leader)
Maria Teresita L. Yam
George V. Cabig
Region IVB, Mimaropa
Malunes Family
Rizal, Palawan
Joseph Adrian L. Santos (team leader)
Macbeth T. Omega
Billy Joe R. Palatino
Emmanuel Antonio C. Araullo
Alfred Raymund V. Legaspi III
Region V, Bicol
Azor Family
Pili, Camarines Sur
Laseos L. Masangcay (team leader)
Arlene Donaire Pamintuan
Maria Teresita L. Yam
Maria Socorro S. Blanco
Region VI, Western Visayas
Marcelino Family
Carles, Iloilo
Bernadette T. Wong (team leader)
Maria Teresita L. Yam
Arnulfo C. Gabilo
Henry K. Tan
Laseos L. Masangcay
Filomeno Ian Z. Ong
Region VII, Central Visayas and Negros Island Region (NIR)
Dela Peña Family
Basay, Negros Oriental
Arlene Donaire Pamintuan (team leader)
Billy Joe R. Palatino
Crisostomo Z. San Jose
Millicent R. San Jose
(Note: Negros Oriental was still part of Central Visayas during production of this book)
Region VIII, Eastern Visayas
De Paz Family
Mayorga, Leyte
Brian A. Agana (team leader)
Filomeno Ian Z. Ong
George V. Cabig
Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
Sumali Family
Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay
Cenen N. Milan Jr.
Region X, Northern Mindanao
Recustodio Family
Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
Cenen N. Milan Jr.
Region XI, Davao Region
Amihan Family
Montevista, Davao de Oro
Cenen N. Milan Jr.
Region XII, Soccsksargen
Rala Family
T’boli, South Cotabato
Kevin Roi G. Lopez (team leader)
Maria Teresita L. Yam
Allin K. Santiago
George V. Cabig
Region XIII, Caraga Tandugon Family
Malimono, Surigao del Norte
Cenen N. Milan Jr.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Kasim Family
Datu Abdulla Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur
Cenen N. Milan Jr.
Acknowledgements
Project Sponsors
Hon. Rex Gatchalian, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development Tony Lambino, President, Ayala Foundation
Editorial and Production Team
Writers: Cel Amores, Paul de Guzman, and Mitch Abdon
Editor: Paul de Guzman
Design and layout: Hannah Marcelo
Photos curated by Zone V Camera Club
With additional curation by Cenen Milan Jr. and Paul de Guzman
Production support from Irish Bernardez-Yazon, Cenen Milan Jr., Patricia Bengzon, Karina Reyes, Joan Peralta, and Derrick Maratas
Cover photo by Maria Socorro Blanco
Cover design by Hannah Marcelo
Special thanks go to the following who provided invaluable support throughout the production of this book:
Vilma B. Cabrera
Undersecretary for National for Household Targeting System and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, DSWD
Marites M. Maristela, CESO III
Assistant Secretary for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, DSWD
Atty. Ana Maria Paz Rafael, LL.M.
Assistant Secretary for Partnerships Building and Resource Mobilization, DSWD
Gemma B. Gabuya
Director IV and National Program Manager Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, DSWD
Marie Grace Ponce, Albert Taule, and Odelon Gines
DSWD Social Marketing Division
Officials and representatives from the different DSWD regional offices
Aprille Tijam, Kenneth Esguerra, and Arnold Torrecampo, Ayala Museum
Love Amoroso, Ayala Foundation
About the Department of Social Welfare and Development
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s vision is an empowered society where the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors have immediate and equitable access to opportunities for an improved quality of life.
As the authority in the Social Welfare and Development sector, the DSWD’s mission is to develop, implement, enable, and coordinate SWD policies and programs for and with the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged.
dswd.gov.ph
About Ayala Foundation
As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation is committed to building shared prosperity in the Philippines, one thriving community at a time. Ayala Foundation implements programs under the following pillars: Community Development, Leadership Development, and Arts and Culture. The foundation has established a Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism platform that provides opportunities for sociocivic action. As its contribution to addressing the national learning crisis, the foundation is also making Big Bets on Early Childhood and Digital Education.
