Mandaue City, Cebu – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VII acknowledged the support of the National Nutrition Council Region VII in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The certificates of appreciation were presented by DSWD 7 RD Shalaine S. Lucero during the graduation rites of 4Ps beneficiaries held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex, Mandaue City on 29 November 2022.
NNC 7 is an active member of the expanded regional advisory council (ERAC), the regional body that provides policy directions and recommendations on program implementation. The interagency body promotes regional ownership among agencies and local implementers to guarantee the availability and provision of necessary support services and access to basic services for qualified household beneficiaries.
The 4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy of the Philippine Government that provides grants to extremely poor households to provide and improve health, nutrition, and education, particularly 0-14 aged children. The program aims to foster the necessary behavior for parents to adequately perform their duties and responsibilities, particularly in investing in their children’s future.
As of November 2022, there were 336 household graduates from Cebu Province assessed as level 3 or self-sufficient households categorizing them as graduated households with transition plans and LGU referrals to sustain their level of well-being. These households have a total of 846 monitored children.
DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero in her message during the graduation rites congratulated the graduates and thanked them for their support in the program. She further informed the graduates that their slots in the program will be replaced with new eligible families, who will be granted the same benefits, services, and opportunities.
Mr. Ronald E. Castro, DSWD Central Office Division Chief of the 4Ps Social Services Delivery and Management Division also graced the event. Mayor Arthur E. Despi Municipal Nutrition Committee Chair of the Municipality of Bantayan, Cebu also attended the graduation rites wherein their town garnered third highest 4Ps graduates of 31 households with Dumanjug having second highest graduates of 42 households, and Malabuyoc earning first place with 52 graduating households.
The graduation ceremony was closed with a graduation song titled Tagumpay Nating Lahat Cebuano 4Ps version.
Don’t forget to follow the National Nutrition Council 7 official Facebook page and its other social media pages for more updates on the ongoing nutrition activities in Central Visayas. // ND II James Aaron S. Perez, RND
