By PIA-Bohol | 02:15 PM November 22, 2025
PILAR, Bohol — How do you ensure the benefits of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) continue to empower families even after they exit the program? For the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Visayas, the answer was to bring the services directly to the people.
On Tuesday, the Pilar Gymnasium became a one-stop hub of government programs as family members from the cluster towns of Sierra Bullones, Alicia, San Miguel, and Pilar joined the Panagtagbo sa Paglambo alang sa Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps alang sa 4Ps) caravan — a day-long showcase of frontline government services designed to help 650 households sustain the gains they achieved under 4Ps.
“This is the best template we have seen. It allows families to decide which services they need and teaches them how to access them,” said Migueliza Felias, DSWD Social Welfare Officer III.
The caravan allowed families to register for government programs and access services, including PhilHealth membership and ID printing, National ID registration, primary healthcare, hospital services, livelihood training, scholarships, e-Gov PH online services, and more.
Felias explained that the idea for the initiative came from a similar service caravan organized by the Association of United Development Information Officers (Audio) for the Eskaya indigenous community in Pilar.
Bannered by online registration facilities provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the event enabled families to update records and receive IDs from PhilHealth and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The national ID registration was highlighted as crucial since 4Ps subsidies cannot be disbursed without it.
“This is very important. Without the National ID, the government cannot release subsidies,” said 4Ps member Marcelina Laroza of San Miguel, who availed of the PSA and PhilHealth services.
Other participating government agencies offered information materials, seedlings and seeds, livestock dewormers, farming technologies, social services, livelihood programs, health and sanitation tips, housing assistance, and school supplies for children.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) team leader Engr. Raul Calamba said nearly 200 families registered for livelihood trainings, many of which include training allowances and starter kits.
Pilar Department of Education (DepEd) District Supervisor Daisy Orcullo highlighted that school participation has increased while dropouts have decreased. Out-of-school youth can enroll in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), reaffirming education as a proven poverty reduction strategy.
Additionally, the Bohol Provincial Government, through Governor Erico Aumentado’s Educational Development Center, distributed school bags and supplies to kindergarten and preschool children in three Pilar barangays.
According to DSWD, 16 national agencies, two provincial offices, and the Pilar LGU joined the caravan, providing information, referrals, and opportunities to households preparing to transition out of 4Ps.
“This outreach even included house-to-house visits to distribute dewormers, IEC materials, and livestock care information,” said Leniefe Aton, information officer of the Philippine Carabao Center at Ubay Stock Farm.
For beneficiaries like Juliet Caduyac of Abachanan, Sierra Bullones, the event was a lifeline. Holding a native tree seedling and documents from PSA, PhilHealth, and DSWD, she said, “Daghan kaayong salamat sa higayon nga makakuha sa libreng serbisyo para namong mga kabus.”
Felias emphasized the need to continue such initiatives: “We still have about 20,000 families exiting the program. We want them to be fully equipped with information and opportunities so they can sustain themselves after leaving 4Ps.”
