Parent leaders have become popular for their active participation in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), but many are still wondering how they have acquired the title.
During the 35th episode of the DSWD’s online program, “4Ps Fastbreak,” on Wednesday (June 18), Director Gemma Gabuya, 4Ps National Program Manager, explained the selection process for 4Ps parent leaders which is through a voting process after they have formed their respective parent groups.
“Sila [4Ps members] ay ino-organize at nagfo-form sila ng group, at mayroon silang eleksyon. Primarily ang role ng parent leader ay siya ay malaking tulong o katuwang ng ating mga municipal links para mas maayos at mas mapaigting pa ang ating program implementation,” Director Gabuya said in response to a featured question on how to become a 4Ps parent leader.
In order to be chosen as a parent leader, Director Gabuya pointed out that a 4Ps member should have good moral standing, leadership, efficient communication and social skills as well as spare time in order to competently perform the role as a liaison officer facilitating the relay of information from household-beneficiaries to the 4Ps, and vice-versa.
“Syempre kailangan nandoon yung mapapasunod niya yung kanyang mga kasamahan at mayroon siyang social skills. Yung relationship niya sa kanyang mga kasamahan ay maayos din…at wala rin siyang negative report na makakasira sa programa,” the 4Ps program director stressed.
When asked to clarify if parent leaders are paid for their services, Director Gabuya said being a parent leader is voluntary work. However, there are some who receive honorarium or allowances from their respective local government units (LGUs) for the cost incurred from conducting house-to-house visits or school visits to help address grievances of their members.
Director Gabuya confirmed that the DSWD provides capacity building activities to parent leaders to help them become more effective in their roles.
Launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act (RA) 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven years to improve their children’s health, nutrition, and education.
The ‘4Ps Fastbreak’ is hosted by Information Officer Venus Balito of the Strategic Communications group’s Digital Media Service (DMS) and is aired every Wednesday, 11 am, using the DSWD’s Facebook platform. (AKDL)