4P’s For 4 Pieces: An End To The Cycle of Scarceness

Generosity can be the door for mountains of opportunities and these opportunities can lead to
one’s prosperity. There are times when you feel like you’re hopeless, weak, and unable to move
forward because of giant hindrances blocking your way, hindrances such as poverty. Life is
tough and sometimes cruel, leaving you with no other choice but to give up and endure the
excruciating pain but life is not always muds and thorns there are also sunshine and rainbows
that will help you kill the giant hindrances for you to move forward and soar higher than you can
ever imagine. The one who will give you wings to fly with stunning colors, just like what the 4P's
do.
The ‘Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’ or 4P’s, is an initiative made by the government that
gives out conditional cash benefits to the ones in need or impoverished. Families included in
this program can benefit in many ways, health check-ups, growth monitoring, vaccines, pre, and
post-natal care, and Family Development Sessions(FDS) so that every child can live in a
healthy and better household.
There are lots of 4P's family beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao. For instance, over 1200
families of the 51 barangays of Ozamiz City saw light amid darkness right after receiving their
cash assistance and rice subsidy from 4P's.DSWD Ozamiz City Team Leader Sanjevee Tan
said that a total of P600 per month is given to active beneficiaries of 4P's. Aside from that,

DSWD Field Office X, Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Email: fo10@dswd.gov.ph Telephone Nos.: (63) (88) 858-8134 Telefax: (63) (88) 858-6333
Website: www.fo10.dswd.gov.ph
Facebook: DSWD Region X Twitter: @dswdfo10
beneficiaries also receive P500 every month for their health grant, an education grant of P300
for every child enrolled in elementary and P500 for every child enrolled in high school.
4P's beneficiary Orlando Sayson, 47, of Brgy. Sinonoc, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental shared
about how the program changed his family's life. He is a carpenter with a daily income of P300.
Before, life is tough for his family because sometimes his salary is not enough for them to
purchase their primary needs. But with the program, they are given a chance to be uplifted from
that kind of situation. According to tatay Orlando, "Dako jud kaayo ug natabang sa amoang
pamilya ang 4P's,tungod ana nga programa ug mapasalamaton kaayo ko kay minindot-nindot
amuang kinabuhi(4P's is a big help to my family, because of the program I am very thankful
because our lives got better)".
With the helping hand of 4P's, life becomes and better especially for those individuals that
thought that they can't make it to school because of financial problems, just like what happened
to Junlie B. Dapar,15, residing in Prk. Valensula, Sinonoc, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, and
a Grade 10 student of Sinonoc National High School. She is a blissful beneficiary of 4P's
because according to her, being one of the beneficiaries of 4p's feels like she's one step closer
to her dreams.
With her well of emotions covered with tears, Junlie added, "Abi nako ug dili ko makatungtung
ug high school, gusto nako mueskwela pero paminaw nako imposible tungod kay dako jud mi
ug problema sa kwarta. Pero nabag-o ang tanan tungod sa 4P's.Karon kay Grade 10 na ko ug
hapit na magcollege(I thought that I would not make it to high school, I want to study but at that
time it's impossible knowing that we have a huge problem in terms of money. But everything
has changed because of 4P's. I am now in Grade 10. Soon, I will be a college student)".
"After I finish my studies, I will be a public school teacher and eventually help my family, I
promise to give them a beautiful life", Junlie added. Carlita B. Dapar, Junlie's mother admitted
that she is grateful for the opportunity given to her daughter. Having Junlie finish her studies
with the assistance of 4P's marks the beginning of a better life for her family. They will possibly
escape one of the giant hindrances of life-poverty.
Junlie believes that finally, she can conquer the hindrances blocking her way, she is confident
because she has 4P's as her fighting back up. With a determined spirit, an overwhelming
passion, a strong faith in God together with the outstanding assistance of 4P's, Junlie believes
that her future is brighter than the brightest sun shining.
Without a doubt,4P's benefits the youth more. Just like Jose Rizal has quoted “The youth is our
nation's future.” As they provide important aspects for one’s livelihood, which are education and
health so that the child can grow up to become effective citizens in our society. Education being
the most important out of all, with the things they learn, they can attain knowledge and wisdom
and will be given more opportunities along the way. He who does not receive education to learn,
develop, and acknowledge their surroundings, will be left behind clueless in many given
circumstances, and that many doors of opportunities will be closed to them. The 4Ps program is
an opportunity itself. With the helping hand of 4P's, we can bridge the youth to a fulfilling and
promising future.
Genuine acts like the 4P's are very life-changing. It is not only benefitting the poor of today but it
will grant a huge impact on the future as it may put an end to the cycle of poverty. With the
DSWD Field Office X, Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Email: fo10@dswd.gov.ph Telephone Nos.: (63) (88) 858-8134 Telefax: (63) (88) 858-6333
Website: www.fo10.dswd.gov.ph
Facebook: DSWD Region X Twitter: @dswdfo10
opportunity and benefits given, hope is filled within the family, they are assured that everything
will turn out fine, they can dream for prosperity and look forward to the future. With 4P's as an
escort, people will incredibly live their lives.
Essentially, life has muds and thorns but there are also sunshine and rainbows that will help you
kill the giant hindrances, the one who will give you wings to fly with stunning colors, just like the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program does. Indeed 4P's gives every Filipino families 4 amazing
pieces, namely the piece of hope, the piece of assurance, the piece to dream, and the piece of
a brighter future. Four amazing pieces that will forcefully put an end, an epilogue of the cycle of
scary scarceness.

DSWD Field Office X, Masterson Ave., Upper Carmen, 9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Email: fo10@dswd.gov.ph Telephone Nos.: (63) (88) 858-8134 Telefax: (63) (88) 858-6333
Website: www.fo10.dswd.gov.ph
Facebook: DSWD Region X Twitter: @dswdfo10