The local government of Catarman, Northern Samar, is preparing an “aftercare” plan for more than 3,000 members of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) who will exit the cash grant initiative next year.
Mayor Diane Rosales convened the local advisory committee on Monday, where she announced that there will be a massive “Pugay Tagumpay” program next year for the exit of 3,213 families.
During the meeting, the town mayor and the head of the municipal social welfare and development office (MSWDO), Irmina Delorino, discussed the support that will be provided to the exiting 4Ps members, as they will no longer receive cash assistance under the program.
“We don’t want to hear complaints in the future about why there is no clear plan for their exit. We want to help them understand that assistance from 4Ps is not forever, and they have to work on improving their living conditions,” Rosales said during the meeting.
The exiting 4Ps members have been receiving cash assistance monthly under the program in the past seven years.
Under Republic Act 11310, the government provides cash aid to beneficiaries aimed at reducing poverty by investing in the health and education of children from poor families.
To help the municipal government in the aftercare program are the Department of Trade and Industry, tasked with assisting the graduating 4Ps members on microbusiness training, and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, tasked with providing skills training.
The Catarman Public Employment Service Office is committed to extending pre-employment coaching workshops, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development–Sustainable Livelihood Program will work on financial literacy, procurement, and business training.
Another partner is the Ormoc Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which will provide training on savings and product service orientation.
From the current 4,706 beneficiaries in Catarman, only 1,493 will remain listed under 4Ps in 2026. However, some 332 families are expected to join 4Ps next year, based on the MSWDO list taken from the community-based monitoring system. (PNA)
