ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA—A new beginning awaits for 2 family-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the municipality of La Libertad, Zamboanga Del Norte as they are now owners of housing units gifted by the local government of the said municipality.

The Pabahay Program is a convergence initiative that aims to address gaps in housing and as well as an intervention of the Municipal Action Team (MAT) for the prevention of gender-related cases in the area.

2 families who are also beneficiaries of the country’s conditional cash transfer program, the 4Ps, are lucky to have been chosen as recipients of the housing projects.

Myrna C. Ruiz, a beneficiary from Barangay Poblacion, shed a tear during the turn-over ceremony as she shared that never had she imagined herself to receive such a blessing. Meanwhile, another beneficiary from Barangay New Bataan expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the people behind the project especially in the leadership of the Municipal Mayor Hon. Liza M. Mejias, the facilitation of the MAT, and the support from the 4Ps program.

In a conversation with the local chief executive, the Regional Program Coordinator of the 4Ps, Flordeliza A. Atuy, emphasized that the DSWD is grateful for the strong partnership and the immense support of the LGU for the 4Ps.

“The LGU of La Libertad has always been supportive of the endeavours of the 4Ps in elevating the level of well-being of our beneficiaries and we are very proud that the LGU, through its local chief executive, Mayor Mejias, has visions for her constituents to help every 4Ps household escape poverty,” Atuy said.

The construction of these housing units started on October 11, 2023 and turned-over last April 18, 2024. The completion of this was celebrated with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and house blessing. Each housing unit costs Php 542,000.00

The Barangay Local Government Unit, members of the Municipal Action Team of La Libertad, members of the Municipal Inter-Agency Committee (MIAC) and the Local Government of La Libertad are all involved in the selection process of project recipients.

Identified potential recipients are mainly solo parents and low-income earning families with vulnerability on GAD-related issues such as but not limited to lack of access to affordable yet decent housing, especially for female-headed household and lack of access to decent housing especially to a large family size affecting the child’s growth and development, creating stress at home and negative consequences to its inhabitants to both men and women.

The identification of project recipients are based on the criteria that are taught during the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) such as maintenance of a backyard garden, sanitary toilet, compost pit. Additionally, all school age children of the family must be enrolled and attend school, the family must have a 100% attendance rate to the FDS and other community activities involving 4Ps, the family must either own or have identified at least a 50 sq. meter vacant lot, and the family must now have any derogatory record in the barangay.