CABARROGUIS, Quirino – In a concerted effort to address the incidence of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Not Attending School Children (NAS) in the province, the Provincial Operations Office (POO) of Quirino, in close collaboration with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Quirino, conducted a Consultation Meeting with partners and the formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) on May 30,2025 to spearhead targeted interventions for learners in difficult circumstances.

The primary objective of the meeting was to discuss sustainable, community-responsive strategies to reintegrate children who are currently not attending school, with a particular focus on those experiencing challenges due to gender-based violence, family issues, chronic illness, and other community-related factors.

A major highlight of the event was the formal launch of Project GABAY (Guidance and Breaking Barriers for the Youth), a school reintegration and sustainability initiative that emphasizes family and community-centered support interventions. The project aims to create a protective environment through which children can return to school and complete their education, while addressing root causes that hinder school participation.

Majesty Siazon-Damil, Acting Provincial Link, in her message, emphasized the complexity of a child’s decision or inability to attend school, pointing out that this issue is often rooted in a multifaceted set of problems.

“A child’s absence from school is rarely due to a single factor. It is often a reflection of broader challenges including family dysfunction, economic hardship, mental health issues, and other community-level barriers. This is why an integrated and inclusive approach is essential,” she said.

To strengthen the initiative, the POO also led the creation of a TWG, composed of representatives from DepEd Schools Division Office, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Offic, Local Government Units through MSWDOs, Provincial SK Federation and relevant partners such as Provincial Population Commission, TESDA, DOLE and Police Provincial Office.

The TWG is expected to steer the development and implementation of localized action plans from the Municipal Local Government Units, aligned with the goals of Project GABAY.

In his remarks, PSWDO Head Agaton Pagbilao acknowledged the pressing concern, said that “addressing the issue of out-of-school youth is not simple, but through unwavering collaboration and sustained effort, we believe Quirino can significantly reduce the incidence of school non-attendance.”

Project GABAY is poised for rollout across the various municipalities of the province, in close partnership with the TWG and LGUs, to ensure localized and impactful implementation.

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