Malate, Manila – The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on December 1, 2018, the winners of the National Search for Exemplary Children during the celebration of the “Araw ng Kabataan” held at the SM North Skydome. Adeli D. Tan of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro was awarded as the 4th runner-up of the Search out of the 16 other children beneficiaries who joined the competition.

The title was won by Jay Mark C. Gac-ang of Lanao Del Norte, followed by Maria Kaitlinn Cayne S. Lubrico  of Iloilo as the 1st runner-up. Meanwhile, Kristine Nicole S. Bumadilla of Pangasinan was announced as the 2nd runner-up and Justin Dale Dela Cruz from the National Capital Region (NCR) as the 3rd runner-up.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista attended the event and congratulated all the exemplary children. In his message, he recognized the role of children in the society as well as the government’s role in advancing children’s rights.

He reminded the audience of the significant events leading to the annual celebration of the children’s month more than 30 years ago.

“The 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilya is one of the government’s programs to protect and promote the rights of children. In 2012, the program launched the Search for Exemplary Children to recognize children-beneficiaries who are role models in their families, communities, and in the society,” shared Sec. Bautista.

The Araw ng Kabataan is an annual event of the Pantawid Pamilya as part of the National Children’s Congress (NCC) which was celebrated in line with the National Children’s Month celebration in November.

NCC is a one-week activity for to conduct different workshop and activities focusing on forming a “mapagkalingang komunidad para sa kabataan” held on November 25-30, 2018 at Greenhills Elan Hotel. The five (5) exemplary children from the Regional Search and Jecille Arah M. Costales, the national exemplary child 2017, joined the other provincial exemplary children nationwide during the activity with the theme entitled, “Bata, Magkaisa Tungo sa Bayang Mapagkalinga”. ###