In a world where poverty often dictates what a person can and cannot achieve, a rare few manage to break out of the mold.

For Engineer Rico Quiñones Elao, who recently clinched the number one spot in the March 2026 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination with a 94.10 percent rating, the help to break out came in the form of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

His parents, Teotimo and Florencia, labored tirelessly under the scorching sun as farmers to feed their six children- Pia, Peter, Bien, Ronnie, Rico, and Noel. Knowing the weight his parents carried, a young Rico would plunge his own hands into the soil to help them survive.

“Mamakyaw og trabaho maghapon sa uma kauban sa akong ig-agaw aron maka-income para adunay mabalon sa eskwelahan (I would take on farm work for the whole day with my cousin just to earn money so I could have something to bring to school for my allowance),” Rico said to DSWD.

4Ps: Opportunities to a better life

In 2010, the Elao family’s journey shifted when they became 4Ps beneficiaries under Set 3B. Barely scraping by to meet their daily needs, the conditional cash grants played a crucial role in helping the family meet their basic needs and sustain their children’s education, particularly for the three youngest children—Ronnie, Rico, and Noel—who were closely monitored under the program.

The 4Ps helped Teotimo and Florencia hold on to one powerful dream: to send all their children to school and give them a chance at a better future. Their sacrifices became the foundation of hope for the entire family.

More importantly, the 4Ps program became the bridge that freed Rico from the constant, heavy worry of financial struggle. The conditional education and health cash grants provided meant that basic school supplies, notebooks, and their basic necessities were no longer impossible luxuries.

Rico was finally able to focus entirely on learning, trusting that the program had his back. The path forward, however, still had its trials as at 16, Rico was struck with severe dengue and endured a prolonged confinement at the Barili District Hospital. The health scare drained the family’s meager resources, introducing massive emotional and financial strain.

Yet, anchored in their tight-knit bond and the consistent support of the 4Ps program stabilizing their basic needs, the family pulled through.

Not just a dream, but a reality

As Rico pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the Cebu Technological University (CTU) Dumanjug Extension Campus, his academic expenses increased. His older sister, Pia, who works as the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) in Barili, stepped up to help fund his tertiary schooling.

Even with support, the pressure to succeed was immense. Rico admitted to moments of heavy doubt.

“Adunay panahon nga ganahan nako mo give up pero unsay purpose sa pag eskwela kung dili nako kini tiwasun? (There were times when I wanted to give up, but what is the purpose of going to school if I will not finish it?),” Rico asked himself.

Instead of quitting, Rico excelled in academics and even in extracurricular activities. Rico won national academic contests and graduated Magna Cum Laude in July 2025.

That same year marked another milestone as the Elao family officially graduated from the 4Ps program after achieving a level of self-sufficiency. Today, his brothers Ronnie and Noel are also in college, continuing what 4Ps helped them start.

Topping the Ranks

When the March 2026 results were released, the farmer’s son from Alegria stood at the very top of the national rankings. It was a sweet victory that proved the transformative power of combining personal grit with crucial social interventions.
Looking back at the arduous journey that led him to where he is, Engineer Rico recognizes that his victory is a shared one.

“I humbly share this success with my family, whose sacrifices inspired me; my mentors, who guided me; and the 4Ps, which stood with me [in] every step of the way,” Rico said.

For vulnerable sectors still battling the cycle of poverty, his journey stands as a living proof that social welfare programs do more than provide temporary aid—they equip families with the tools to rewrite their destinies and secure a comfortable, dignified future.

“I hope my story serves as a reminder that with determination, hard work, and the right support, no dream is too far to reach- regardless of one’s circumstances,” Rico concluded. (KB/KM)