CABAGAN, Isabela — A total of 345 households graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Cabagan, Isabela, with 16 college graduates recognized during the ceremonial graduation on August 28, 2026.

Of the 16 college graduates, three finished cum laude while three others graduated magna cum laude, highlighting the educational achievements of children from 4Ps households.

One of the graduates, Charlene Gazzingan Frogoso, a magna cum laude recipient, said the program helped her family cope with financial challenges while she pursued her education. “Para sa aming pamilya, ang 4Ps ay hindi lamang simpleng financial assistance. It was help when things were difficult. It was support when there were expenses that felt too heavy,” Frogoso said in her message during the ceremony.

Frogoso’s family became a 4Ps beneficiary in 2023. She said the assistance helped her family manage expenses related to her education and other household needs. As the families transition out of the program, she reminded fellow graduates to make use of the opportunities they received and work toward greater self-reliance.

“Ang tulong ay maaaring matapos, pero ang pangarap natin ay hindi kailangang matapos,” she said.

The transition of the 345 households was also supported by the Local Government Unit of Cabagan. Each graduating household received 25 kilograms of rice, while the municipality provided ₱10,000 to each magna cum laude and ₱5,000 to each cum laude graduate.

In total, 16 Latin honor graduates (including 10 recognized during last year’s 4Ps ceremonial graduation) received cash incentives from the LGU.

Cabagan Mayor Mila Mamauag also pledged the continued support of the local government to help the families sustain the progress they have made and access available services and opportunities beyond 4Ps. Moreover, Isabela Provincial Administrator Atty. Christopher Mamauag assured the graduates of the provincial and local government’s support in securing employment opportunities.

The 345 households are among the 1,467 4Ps beneficiary households in Cabagan. From 2011 to 2026, a total of ₱538.68 million in 4Ps grants has been disbursed to beneficiary households in the municipality.

DSWD Field Office 2 Assistant Regional Director for Administration Celso Arao Jr. emphasized that graduation from 4Ps is not simply the end of assistance but a transition toward self-sufficiency.

Said household exits are guided by established program criteria, with beneficiaries undergoing a six-month transition period to prepare them and their families for life after 4Ps and help ensure that the gains they have achieved are sustained.

The transition also involves coordination with the LGUs and other partners to identify appropriate interventions and opportunities that graduating households may access based on their needs.

The activity was also attended by Vice Mayor Ferdinand Fuggaban, members of the Sangguniang Bayan and other local officials, Local Advisory Council partners, and personnel from DSWD Field Office 2.