Thank you DSWD!

MAYOR BENG Climaco praised the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its continuing support to the humanitarian and pro-poor programs of the local government.

 Mayor Beng Climaco distributes bags of rice, among others to the beneficiaries of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (Bong Serondo)

The mayor also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go, including DSWD Assistant Secretary Jade Jamolod, for being instrumental to all the assistance being rolled out in Zamboanga City by the national government.

“Muchas gracias Asec. Jade. Let us continue to work together para continua ayuda dale curada, comida y busca vida este tiempo de pandemia. Vaya con Dios,” she said.

Just recently, Climaco graced the “graduation” ceremony of dozens of beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which benefited mostly poor families here. 

The ceremony was held at the San Jose Gusu Elementary School covered court where the beneficiaries also received bags of rice, among others, from the mayor and social workers. Climaco was also joined by Councilor Pinpin Pareja. 

Climaco strongly encouraged graduates of the 4Ps to be resilient and to keep the faith amid the struggles in life. 

The graduation ceremony was the second this month. Climaco, who graced the “CS 26 graduation” ceremony of dozens of beneficiaries at the Cabatangan covered court.

She also assured the continuing support of her administration to sustain the program as this is also one of her top priorities. The DSWD has been implementing the 4Ps, the country’s flagship poverty alleviation program, since its inception in 2008. 

Pursuant to Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Law, the beneficiaries will subsequently be adopted by the local government.

The law institutionalizes 4Ps as the national anti-poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum of 7 years. The law also includes provisions that ensure that the 4Ps beneficiaries can transition out of poverty within the 7-year period. 

The Cabatangan ceremony was attended by DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Fatima Caminan; City Social Welfare Officer Socorro Rojas and other officials. (Zamboanga Post)