Cabagan, Isabela — The Cabagan Municipal Gym was filled with emotion as hundreds of families gathered to celebrate a milestone once thought unreachable, their graduation from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
For the beneficiaries, the ceremony was not merely the conclusion of a national assistance program. It also highlighted the strong commitment of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabagan to carry forward the gains of 4Ps through concrete local actions, particularly in employment, livelihood, and post-service interventions.
A total of 498 households were formally recognized during the event, including 17 college graduates. Of these, 11 graduated Cum Laude and will receive cash incentives from the LGU of Cabagan in recognition of their academic excellence. The recognition underscored the municipality’s efforts to encourage educational achievement among 4Ps beneficiaries.
Since the implementation of 4Ps in Cabagan, more than ₱495 million has been released to beneficiaries, supporting families’ health and education needs while preparing them for long-term self-reliance.
𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬
One of the most moving moments of the ceremony was the testimony of Eunice Angolluan Tolentino of Barangay San Bernardo, a former 4Ps beneficiary whose journey resonated with many families present.
“My story did not begin with success; it began with struggles. And today, those struggles have become my greatest testimony,” Tolentino shared.
She became a 4Ps beneficiary while in Grade 8. With the support of the program, she completed senior high school with honors, pursued a degree in education, finished with Latin honors and is now a Licensed Professional Teacher.
“The support from 4Ps was more than financial assistance. It was encouragement, hope, and a reminder that my dreams were worth pursuing,” she said.
𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
While the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a national initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the LGU of Cabagan has institutionalized post-service support through an Executive Order prioritizing the employment of qualified 4Ps beneficiaries within the municipal government.
Under this policy, former 4Ps beneficiaries are given priority consideration for available positions in the municipal government, allowing them to gain stable employment and practical work experience. As of this writing, 27 former 4Ps beneficiaries have already been employed by the LGU of Cabagan, demonstrating the tangible impact of the policy.
In addition to employment prioritization, the LGU provides other post-service interventions, including rice subsidy, livelihood and skills training, employment facilitation, and access to educational and medical assistance. Local policies also protect former beneficiaries from exploitative lending and illegal gambling, further supporting their transition to self-sufficiency.
Cabagan Municipal Mayor Hon. Mila A. Mamauag reiterated that graduation from 4Ps does not signal the end of government support, but rather a shift toward locally driven empowerment initiatives.
𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬
The graduation ceremony was attended by Vice Mayor Hon. Ferdinand Fugaban, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, department heads, DepEd representatives, barangay officials, and members of the Municipal Action Team (MAT). Also present were civil society organization partners, including Michael Angelo Manpower Exponent Inc. and Tam-an Banaue Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Tam-an BMPC), reflecting the importance of private sector and cooperative engagement in expanding employment and livelihood opportunities for former beneficiaries.
𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬
As families received their certificates, the atmosphere inside the gym reflected both gratitude and readiness for the next chapter. The event underscored that while national programs lay the foundation, local leadership, strengthened by partnerships with civil society organizations, ensures continuity and sustainability.
The 4Ps Graduation in Cabagan stood not as an end, but as a beginning, where empowered families are supported by an LGU committed to providing opportunities long after program completion.