Graduating 4Ps members troop to Manila for career job fair

Some graduating beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) trooped to the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Friday to join a massive job fair targeted at the beneficiaries of the social welfare program.

According to a Luisito Santos’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, job seekers continued to arrive at the “Trabaho sa Bagong Pilipinas” job fair that opened at 10 a.m. but they trooped to the venue an hour before it closed its doors at 5 p.m.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said at least 12,000 graduating 4Ps members are expected to benefit from the job fair.

“There will be an assessment for 4Ps beneficiaries who are able to secure their employment during the job fair. They will fill up forms and once their assessment turns positive, their application will be processed in the NCR regional office,” Florentino Loyola Jr., DSWD Assistant Secretary for Specialized Programs under the Operations Group, said in a news release.

“All eligible beneficiaries will be given a slip in the SLP [Sustainable Livelihood Program] booth which they will present to the regional office during the payout,” Loyola Jr. said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the families graduating from the program.

"Sa ating mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps na narito ngayon, lubos akong nagagalak na makasama kayo at nais ko kayong batiin sa inyong nalalapit na pagtatapos sa 4Ps. Ito ay inyong tagumpay—simbolo ng inyong pagsisikap, pagtitiyaga, at determinasyong tumayo sa sarili ninyong mga paa," Marcos said in his speech. 

(To our beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps here today, I am very happy to be with you. I want to congratulate you on your upcoming graduation from the 4Ps. This is your victory—a symbol of your effort, perseverance, and determination to stand on your feet.) 

"Nilalayon naming mas dumami pa ang ating mga kababayang may kakayahang tugunan ang kanilang sariling mga pangangailangan. Dahil ibig sabihin nito ay higit na marami pa ang mag-aambag sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa," he added. 

(We aim to increase the number of our citizens capable of meeting their own needs. Because this means that many more will contribute to the development of our country.) 

Upon registration, the DSWD said 4Ps beneficiaries from the National Capital Region (NCR) will undergo orientation on the services offered by the participating government agencies. They will be provided with P3,000 cash assistance to cover their pre-employment expenses including medical examinations and transportation allowance following the orientation program.

Meanwhile, those who will be hired on the spot may be given additional financial assistance of P5,000 under the SLP.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation program of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor to respond to their immediate needs.

Among the conditions qualified households should meet for continued eligibility in the program are: pregnant women must avail of pre-and post-natal care, and be attended to during childbirth by a trained professional; parents or guardians must attend the family development sessions, which include topics on responsible parenting, health, and nutrition; children aged 0-5 must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines; children aged 6-14 must receive deworming pills twice a year; and children-beneficiaries aged 3-18 must enroll in school, and maintain an attendance of at least 85% of class days every month. — Sundy Locus/Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News