The ceremonial graduation recognized households that achieved improved levels of well-being and are self-sufficient after years under the government’s flagship anti-poverty program.

Leading the event was Ballesteros Mayor Hon. Robert H. Ogalino, MD, together with Vice Mayor Hon. Vincent G. Unite, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, local government officials, 4Ps Division Chief Vicenta Pamittan, Provincial Link Carla Balauag, other DSWD staff and partner stakeholders.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the testimony of former Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) scholar Je-Anne P. Pacis, now a licensed professional teacher.

Pacis shared how she grew up as the eldest among six siblings in a family of farmers and experienced financial hardship while pursuing her studies. “Nang mapabilang ang aming pamilya sa 4Ps, naging malaking tulong po ito sa aming pamilya. Ang cash grants ang naging sandalan namin sa mga panahong halos hindi na namin alam kung saan kukuha ng panggastos sa pag-aaral,” Pacis said.

She later enrolled at Cagayan State University and became a recipient of the ESGP-PA scholarship program for qualified 4Ps beneficiaries. Pacis graduated in 2018 with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biological Science and passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers in the same year. She now works as a teacher at Quezon Colleges of the North.

During her speech, Pacis encouraged fellow beneficiaries not to lose hope despite poverty and challenges.

“Mahirap maging mahirap. Pero kapag sinamahan ng pananampalataya sa Diyos, tiyaga, sakripisyo, at pagsusumikap, darating din ang araw na matitikman mo ang tunay na sarap ng tagumpay,” she said.

Also delivering a message during the event was Felipa Dela Cruz of Barangay Centro West, a parent leader and the 2019 Most Outstanding Barangay Health Worker in Ballesteros, who represented the graduating households.

Meanwhile, Pamittan, representing DSWD Regional Director Lucia Suyu Alan, said the graduation ceremony serves as proof of the positive impact of the 4Ps on families and communities.

She emphasized that the success of exiting households demonstrates how government investments in education, health, and family development can help beneficiaries improve their lives and become self-sufficient.

The local government likewise reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting exiting beneficiaries through post-service interventions and livelihood opportunities to sustain their gains beyond the program.