PAGADIAN CITY — Some 76,000 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Zamboanga del Sur continue to fight poverty.

Since 2009, the program has been empowering families and supporting households in the province by providing financial aid and improving access to health, nutrition and education.

“The DSWD program has been a huge help in our lives. Because of it, our lives have improved. My children graduated with honors and are now employed,” Medal N. Banda, regional winner of DSWD’s ‘Modelong Ama’ (Model Father) 2025, shared how the program helped his family.

More than just financial assistance, the program includes Family Development Sessions (FDS), which serve as a platform that allows parents to improve their marital relationships and parenting roles and also addresses health and nutrition, education and psychosocial needs. This session promotes responsible parenthood.

Among the core topics of FDS is capacity training, which aims to enable parent leaders to support their communities and promote the well-being of their families.

DSWD social welfare officer Whella Bandojo-Dela Cerna highlighted the program’s approach, which goes beyond financial assistance.

“Our goal is for every household of our Pantawid beneficiaries to have children who graduate. We advise beneficiaries to use their grants wisely. The program is truly intended for the children and their future,” she said.

The 4Ps key initiative in empowering Filipino families is breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting sustainable development in communities.

According to the Household Targeting System of Poverty Reduction (Listahanan), as of December 2024, there are 104,994 identified poor households in Zamboanga del Sur, representing 50.58% of the province’s population.

Since 2021, a total of 18,192 individuals have graduated from the program, contributing to ongoing efforts in poverty reduction and the continuous development of the community.