LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – A total of 823 beneficiaries in Ilocos Norte graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a ceremony on Tuesday, December 13.
 
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo led the graduation ceremony conducted at San Nicolas National High School in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.
 
In his message, the DSWD chief assured the families who have achieved self-sufficiency that the government’s assistance does not end the moment they graduated.
 
They can still avail such services through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and financial assistance such as educational and medical.
 
"Hindi po rito nagtatapos ang tulong ng gobyerno sa inyo dahil nag-graduate na kayo. Marami pa po ang maaaring maitulong sa inyo ng DSWD tulad ng pangkabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) at tulong pinansyal gaya ng pampaaral at medikal," said Tulfo.

Moreover, he also mentioned that there will be half a million new beneficiaries in the updated 4Ps by the year 2023.
 
The new beneficiaries will come from poor single parents, persons with disabilities, farmers, fisherfolk, among others.
 
“Pag-graduate po ninyo, may papalit po sa inyo kaya huwag kayong malungkot dahil may pamilyang papalit sa inyo na kailangang tulungan ng gobyerno. As a matter of fact, mayroon pong kalahating milyon na mga Pilipino na ipapasok po na 4Ps bago matapos ang taon. Kukuha po tayo sa sector ng mga solo parent, PWDs, magsasaka, at ng mga mangingisda,” added Tulfo.
 
With an aim to inspire the graduates, Hazel Achuela, a former beneficiary of the program and an agriculture board topnotcher, told them not to lose hope amidst the challenges in life.
 
“Kaya sana sa mga graduates ng 4Ps, huwag po tayong mawalan ng pag-asa. We share different kinds of stories but as long as we are alive, there is hope,” said Achuela.
 
During the graduation ceremony, some local chief executives and officials were also present for the ceremonial signing of the Sustainability Plan.
 
This assures the 4Ps graduates of access to programs and services of the local government for the continuous development of their lives. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/AJMG-Intern PIA Ilocos Norte)