The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has made significant strides in uplifting the lives of impoverished families throughout 2024, leveraging its comprehensive social protection and human capital development initiatives. In Bacolod City, the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) distributed PHP10,000 to individuals with disabilities, showcasing the department’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the marginalized.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized the impact of these interventions, stating that the DSWD’s efforts have notably improved the economic and social conditions of poor Filipino families and their communities. A key component of these efforts is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which has been instrumental since its institutionalization in 2019. The 4Ps, serving over 4.2 million households, has allocated more than PHP77 billion from January to November 2024 to enhance health and education outcomes, aiming to break the cycle of poverty.
The success of the 4Ps is evident with over 30,000 former beneficiaries completing tertiary education between 2016 and April 2024, many of whom have excelled academically and professionally. Additionally, the SLP has supported 67,307 households, offering pathways to micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation, thereby boosting their socio-economic status.
The DSWD’s Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program has also played a crucial role, aiding over 1.6 million households across 14 regions with additional financing from the World Bank. This program empowers communities to address their own development needs, with active participation in identifying and solving local issues. The Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay Cash-for-Work (CFW) initiative under KALAHI-CIDSS has completed 24 sub-projects, providing essential support to 32,499 persons with disabilities and 3,659 families with college students or new graduates.
As 2025 approaches, the DSWD reaffirms its dedication to enhancing its programs, ensuring they are more adaptive and responsive to the needs of poor communities and families facing challenges.