When the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 2 (DSWD FO2) entered new partnerships this October, the moment signaled more than a formal agreement. It reflected a shared commitment to widen the circle of support for 4Ps families, and to bring in allies who can help guide parents and youth toward a more empowered future.
Two organizations answered this call, Alalay sa Kaunlaran Microfinance Social Development Inc. or ASKI, and the Solano Network of Youth or SNY. Each organization carries its own strengths, yet both share a belief that communities progress when people choose to uplift one another.
ASKI, a non-stock and non-profit organization established in 1987, has long championed the growth of micro and small entrepreneurs through financial services and social development programs. Through the newly signed Memorandum of Agreement, ASKI committed to serve as both Gabay and Kaagapay for the program. They will lend their expertise during Family Development Sessions, Youth Development Sessions, and Bata Balik Eskwela activities through financial literacy discussions.
Beyond these sessions, ASKI will also extend support through anti-poverty projects, medical missions, and in kind assistance that directly benefit vulnerable families. Their involvement provides a valuable pathway for 4Ps beneficiaries who aspire to manage resources wisely or explore livelihood opportunities, and their guidance can spark greater confidence among households striving for self-sufficiency.
While ASKI strengthens financial and livelihood knowledge, the Solano Network of Youth brings a different form of mentorship rooted in youth empowerment. Formed in 2023 and recognized as a community based youth organization, SNY is committed to developing young leaders and promoting inclusive community participation. The partnership carries special meaning because the organization is led by President Nick Darell L. Santiago, who once grew up as a 4Ps beneficiary himself. His family was recognized as one of the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilyas of the region, and his experience as a child in the program shaped his passion for community involvement. Now, he returns as a leader who can inspire young beneficiaries to believe that their circumstances need not limit their potential.
Through the MOA, SNY will support program activities as Gabay, particularly in sessions and advocacies that focus on education, literacy, numeracy, social inclusion, and good governance. For young 4Ps beneficiaries, the involvement of a former beneficiary who rose to become a community builder strengthens the message that hope, hard work, and opportunity can lead to transformation.
The ceremonial MOA signings gathered representatives from both partner organizations and the Department. Regional Director Lucia Suyu Alan underscored the importance of building strong relationships with civil society partners and noted how collaboration enriches the program’s implementation. Present during the activity were ASKI leaders led by Executive Director for Microfinance Jane M. Manucdoc, SNY President Nick Darell L. Santiago and adviser Keren Tique, along with 4Ps Division Chief Vicenta M. Pamittan and Provincial Link Ma. Belen Ong Foryasen. Their presence highlighted the shared responsibility of supporting the program and ensuring that every partnership results in concrete benefits for families.
With the signing of these agreements, 4Ps families gain more than partners. They gain mentors who can guide them through financial decisions, youth leaders who can inspire their children, and advocates who believe that progress is most meaningful when it reaches those who need it most. The program continues to evolve with the support of local partners, and these new collaborations are reminders that development does not rest solely in the hands of one agency. It is a collective effort built through trust, shared values, and the desire to improve the lives of every family.
In the spirit of these partnerships, one truth becomes clear for the entire region. “Ang pag unlad ng bawat pamilyang 4Ps ay responsibilidad ng buong komunidad, at sa tulong ng mga bagong katuwang, mas lumalawak ang daan tungo sa mas matiwasay na bukas.”
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