Gemma Gabuya, director of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has underscored the role of the media in disseminating accurate information and enhancing public awareness about the government programs.
“Kapag nagtutulungan ang gobyerno lalo na itong mga private sector at media na napakalaking bahagi ay talagang mas mapapaintindi natin sa public [ang 4Ps program] (When the government collaborates especially the private sector and media that has significant role, we can truly make the public understand the 4Ps program better),” Gabuya said in her message at the close of the three-day orientation on the DSWD’s programs at the St. Giles Hotel in Makati City on Thursday.
Gabuya said the orientation aimed to counter negative notions by providing deeper understanding of the program to the media partners.
“I know na ang media ay malaki ang tulong sa program kung paano natin naipapaintindi at ipapa-appreciate ang programa at paano natin matutulungan ang beneficiaries na kumbaga alagaan itong programa. Ibig-sabihin iyong sila mismo ang magpatotoo na hindi nasayang ang pera ng gobyerno. Iyon ang gusto naming message (I know that the media plays a significant role on how we communicate and generate appreciation for the program, as well as how we can help the beneficiaries take care of it. It means that they themselves should affirm that the government’s money is not wasted. That is the message we want to convey),” Gabuya said.
4Ps social marketing division chief Marie Grace Ponce clarified the 4Ps is not a dole out but “financial support primarily aimed to keep their (household beneficiaries) children healthy and studying in school.”
“There are lots of misconceptions caused by false information as indicated by some individuals like those who consider the cash aids being received by household beneficiaries as mere dole-outs,” she added.
Contrary to criticism, recipient Jennifer Galicia said the 4Ps has really brought big positive impact on her family.
“Ramdam na ramdam po namin ang naging pagbabago. Doon pa lang sa mga baon nila sa eskuwela, nakayanan na namin. Dati talagang sa pagkain pa lang kulang na ang kita ng asawa ko na nasa construction (We really felt the change. Our children have now pocket money going school. Back then, we really couldn’t even sustain our food through the income of my husband who works in the construction),” she said.
Galicia added that she is now able to engage in a small business such as cooking and selling food in the neighborhood.
The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program of the Philippine government that caters to 4.4 million household beneficiaries nationwide. (PNA)