BAGO City, Negros Occidental – “Kailanman hindi tatalikod ang DSWD sa inyo (DSWD will never turn back on you),” said Asec. Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre as she relays the message of Sec. Erwin Tulfo before the 200 exiting 4Ps household beneficiaries of Bago City who are set to graduate today.
“Hindi titigil ang gobyerno sa pagsuporta sa iba pa ninyong mga pangangailangan. Graduate man kayo sa program, pero ang DSWD andyan pa rin patuloy na gagabay sa inyo (The government will not stop supporting your other needs. You may graduate from the program but DSWD will still here continue guiding you),” she said.
Macapobre also said the DSWD along with the help of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bago City will assess graduate households if they are qualified for the livelihood assistance under the Department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) as part of the aftercare program.
“Tandaan ninyo, hindi titigil si DSWD dahil meron kaming SLP. In case may emerhensya sa inyong pamilya, pwedi kayong lumapit sa City Social Welfare and Development Officer kasi siya pweding mag-endorse to our office para matulungan kayo (Remember, that DSWD will not stop because we have an SLP. In case of emergency in your family, you may ask help from CSWD Officer because he/she can endorse you to our office to help you),” added Asec. Macapobre.
The Assistant Secretary emphasized that 4Ps graduates should not be worried instead they should be happy because not all of them (4Ps household beneficiaries) have crossed the poverty threshold. She also said that these 200 household graduates are better because they were able to surpass from Level 1 (survival) to Level 3 (self-sufficient) and not far breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
“Ang pagtawid hindi lamang pera sa bulsa kundi sa kaalaman, pakikibahagi, cooperating with community activities, may anak na nakapagtapos at nakapagtrabaho (In crossing the poverty line doesn’t mean money in the pocket but it is the knowledge, sharing, cooperating with community activities, children who graduated and have jobs),” she said.
Asec. Macapobre assured exiting households that as soon as they have graduated, another set of beneficiaries will replace them and avail of the same program benefits like receiving cash grants.
“I am hoping that same with you, they will value the program and experience changes in their lives dahil ito ang main goal ng present administration na lahat tayo ay aangat ng sabay-sabay,” she ended./mgc (Photo credit to Mark Coloso)