Roxas, Palawan — Under the warm Palawan skies at Ysidore’s Garden, the 2025 Regional Independent Monitoring Committee (RIMC) Meeting and Learning Visit unfolded as a landmark three-day gathering of purpose and partnership. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA, together with RIMC members and local stakeholders, convened to reaffirm their shared commitment to the effective and ethical implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Spanning June 16 to 18, the event was not only a space for technical updates and validation, but more importantly, a platform for reflection, dialogue, and forward planning that will shape the next chapters of 4Ps in the region.
From Discussion to Direction
The first day opened with a warm welcome from Faith T. Crispino, 4Ps Provincial Link, who laid out the activity’s purpose:
“Ang tunay na pagsubaybay ay hindi lang tungkol sa pagbibigay ng kulang, kundi sa pagtanaw sa mas malaking larawan—na ang bawat pamilya ay may potensyal na umangat sa buhay kung bibigyan ng tamang suporta.”
Subsequent sessions unpacked field insights and presented fresh data on program implementation, compliance, and partnerships. Highlights included the orientation on the First 1,000 Days (F1KD) program and a session called Pagtataguyod, which emphasized the importance of using program data to support graduating 4Ps households.
Ernesto David Jr., 4Ps Project Development Officer, reflected:
“Hindi lang basta form ang tinitingnan natin, kundi ang buhay na nasa likod ng bawat bilang. Ang mga datos na ito ay may kwento, at tungkulin nating pakinggan ito.”
RIMC Field Visit: Seeing Through the Lenses of Service
On the second day, the RIMC team traveled to various sites in Roxas, Palawan for ground monitoring—covering health, education, and livelihood components.
In the health facility, joint monitoring with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) showcased how cooperation between DSWD and DOH has strengthened strategies to address non-compliance.
“Hindi na po kami nagtuturuan ngayon. Nagtutulungan na po kami para tugunan ang di-pagsunod sa mga kondisyon, lalo na sa bakuna at prenatal checkups,” shared a health worker from the MHO.
The education monitoring highlighted a similar synergy.
“Dati, hindi namin naiintindihan kung paano nakakaapekto ang attendance report sa compliance nila sa 4Ps. Pero ngayon, malinaw na sa mga guro kung gaano kahalaga ang papel namin sa programang ito,” said a school head from the visited integrated high school.
Meanwhile, during the livelihood monitoring segment, RIMC members met Ruth Mampay, a 4Ps beneficiary whose story illustrates how discipline and resourcefulness can change lives.
“Ginamit ko pong puhunan ang naipon kong cash grants mula sa 4Ps. Pinambili ko ng mga biik para makapagsimula ng babuyan. Nang lumago ito, naibenta ko ang mga alaga at doon ako nakapagsimula ng maliit na karinderya,” she shared.
With hard work and the trust of her former employer, she eventually established and now manages her own restaurant—turning a modest livelihood into a sustainable source of income. Her story stands as a powerful testament to how the 4Ps program, when paired with grit and vision, can plant the seed for long-term self-sufficiency.
BLGU and BIAC in Action: Empowering the Badjao Community
A key highlight of the visit was the courtesy call and focus group discussion (FGD) with Barangay Health Workers and BLGU officials, where they shared the proactive efforts being carried out in support of the Badjao community residing in Sitio Man-ag. Through the collaborative mechanisms of the Barangay Inter-Agency Council (BIAC), the BLGU has successfully addressed several pressing community concerns, particularly those related to proper waste disposal, malnutrition, and the absence of a public comfort room.
In response to these issues, the BLGU took the initiative to lobby funds for the construction of a community CR, which now serves the residents of Sitio Man-ag. They also implemented a fixed schedule for barangay health workers to deliver regular immunization services, ensuring that no child is left behind in terms of health compliance. Saturdays were designated as official coastal clean-up days, involving both Badjao households and barangay volunteers in efforts to maintain cleanliness and environmental stewardship.
Furthermore, the BLGU introduced skill-building activities and livelihood support for the Badjao families, encouraging them to become active participants in community development. One particularly inspiring initiative involved the transformation of a previously vacant wall. With permission from the private landowner, the BLGU and community members turned the area into a vertical vegetable garden using recycled plastic bottles—demonstrating creativity, sustainability, and bayanihan spirit in action.
These efforts not only addressed basic needs but also reflected the impact of strong grassroots governance. The BLGU’s partnership with BIAC created an inclusive space where marginalized voices—such as those of the Badjao—could be heard, empowered, and mobilized toward lasting change.
Synthesis and the Road Ahead
On the final day, findings from all monitoring activities were synthesized in a debriefing session. Themes such as localized innovations, community ownership, and documentation challenges surfaced as key areas of focus.
“Mas malalim pa po ang papel ng RIMC—hindi lang tayo tagamasid, kundi katuwang sa paghubog ng mas makatao at makatarungang programa,” said Phoebe Faith P. Obligar, PDO II.
The DSWD team and RIMC members collaboratively drafted actionable recommendations and laid down timelines for future engagements and site validations.
The activity culminated with a message from Gerald Antonio, 4Ps Social Welfare Officer:
“Lahat tayo may papel—mula sa national office hanggang sa barangay health worker. Ang tunay na tagumpay ng 4Ps ay kapag ang mga benepisyaryo mismo ang nagsabing: ‘Hindi na kami umaasa, kundi lumalaban na kami para sa kinabukasan namin.’”
A Commitment Rekindled
The 2025 RIMC Meeting and Learning Visit was more than just a compliance review—it was a reaffirmation of DSWD’s core values: integrity, malasakit, at pagbabago. With open dialogue, site immersion, and shared accountability, the gathering proved that when communities, local leaders, and systems work together, poverty reduction is not just a goal—but a journey made possible.
