According to studies, one of the reasons why Filipino families are poor is because not one of its members is a college graduate. This goes to say that when one has a tertiary education degree, s/he is more likely to find a job and escape poverty.

Most of the beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are either undergraduates or some, have not even finished high school level, mostly because of poverty. And in contrary, those who already exit the program or whose level of well-being already have elevated, are notably those families whose child or children have finished college.

Klepsan G. Rendal, 38, mother of 3, is one of the beneficiaries of 4Ps from the municipality of Labason, Zamboanga Del Norte who, unfortunately, due to impoverished situation, was not able to get a college degree. Together with her husband who is also a non-degree holder, they strive to keep their small family from starvation.

Many times, she would sob in the corner knowing that they can only provide salt as viand for dinner, sometimes dried fish, rice porridge, or papaya, just so her children can fill their little, hungry stomachs.

As a mother, this breaks her heart to pieces.

“Ang ganitong sitwasyon ay hindi lamang pisikal na paghihirap kundi pati emosyonal na pagsubok para sa amin bilang magulang,” Klepsan shared.

[Situations like these do not only test our physical strength but more so our emotional stability as parents.]

They do not have a house of their own. They live under the roof of their parents. When things go wrong between their parents, they are forced to move in a different house.

As if the situation is not the worst yet, one of her children suffers from asthma while Klepsan has a heart condition.

“Lubhang nakakapagod at nakakababa ng loob,” Klepsan added.

[It’s exhausting and demoralizing.]

They did not just inherit poverty; they are its victims. Klepsan is afraid that her children would inherit the same misfortune and the cycle continuous. A thought of giving up started to creep like a poisonous snake in her heart. Maybe this is her life, and she is not destined for more.

Not until 2023 when they were identified as poor by the Listahanan, a project by the DSWD that identifies who and where the poor are. Poor families identified by the Listahanan are referred to 4Ps for possible inclusion. Rendal family was registered as beneficiaries of the program, shortly after.

As beneficiaries, they are eligible to receive cash grants to support the health and education of their children if they comply with the program’s conditions as stipulated in the Republic Act 11310 and the program’s implementing rules and regulations.

With this support from the government, Klepsan noticed significant changes in her family.

From rice porridge made tastefully palatable with rock salt, they are now able to eat a decent meal that supplies good nutrition to her children. Furthermore, the 4Ps program also introduced ways for them to cultivate green and leafy vegetables through their learning from the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS).

“Nakabili na kami ng kanilang mga gamit sa paaralan at nakapagbigay ng mas maayos at masustansyang pagkain sa aming pamilya.”

[It enabled us to afford school supplies and provide nutritious diet for our children and family.]

The FDS serves as an avenue for the program to help 4Ps mothers and parents become empowered citizens by instilling knowledge and valuable information. According to Klepsan, she learned many things from the FDS such as parenting, financial management, value of saving money, which greatly catapulted improvements in their family.

“Ang mga kaalamang ito ang naging pundasyon ng aming unti-unting pag-angat.” Klepsan confirmed.

[Awareness on these things are the foundation of our progress in life.]

One of the mostly emphasized mindsets that is inculcated to the beneficiaries is the value of education especially in improving oneself. That opening your mind to more awareness and understanding life beyond poverty will change your way of life. This lesson impacted Klepsan so much that she began imagining what could have been if she got a hold of a diploma and finished a degree.

Her husband noticed this personal change with Klepsan and supported her re-fueled dream. It took a little spark of motivation for her to realize that she could be more and achieve more if she wanted to.

But reality poses a threat to this dream. How can she afford a college education?

In one of the home visits conducted by the assigned Social Worker with Rendal family, Klepsan discussed her plans and its challenges with their Municipal Link. Good thing that the program has a very good partnership standing with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) especially in prioritizing 4Ps beneficiaries for their Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES which provides P20,000 for State and Local Universities and Colleges, and P27,000 for private higher education institutions per academic year.

Klepsan applied for the said CHED program and was lucky to have been picked as one of the recipients. For the second time, hope began to flourish in her heart.

She diligently fulfilled her tasks in school, all while performing her duties as a mom to 4 in-school children.

“Maraming beses akong napagod, nawalan ng oras, at halos sumuko. May mga gabi na kulang sa tulog, puno ng pag-aalala, at may kasamang luha at pagod,” Klepsan recounted as she talked about her experiences as a college student.

[There were countless moments when I felt exhausted, could not manage my time, and was at the brink of giving up. I lacked sleep. I had anxiety, tears and fatigue in my eyes.]

These were the things she juggled and fought as a mom with a personal dream on the side. But she knew that she had to endure and win victorious over this challenge. After all, she was not doing this just for herself alone. With this sacrifice comes her dream for her family as well.

“Ang edukasyon ay isang mahalagang susi sa pag-angat sa buhay,” Klepsan reminded herself.

[Education is the key to success.]

Hardwork and sacrifices paid off in 2026. At the age of 38 and with three children after, Klepsan G. Rendal earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management at the Southern Philippine College, Inc.

She is a living testimony that with the right mindset about education, one can possibly fulfill her dream.

Her knowledge in business and financial management was put to application when at the course of her finishing college, she manages the grants received from the DSWD-4Ps. Upon securing the needs of her children, Klepsan takes a portion of the grant for savings and livelihood.

Last March 2026, she put up her small business, a sari-sari store and a thrift shop (ukay-ukay). The business is small at the moment, but she is positive that she can manage it to become sustainable for their family one day, especially now that she has knowledge about business management. It is time to put those learning in action.

As of to date, no more rental of business location for Rendal family because Klepsan’s Ukay-Ukay already has an established store of its own.

Klepsan feels grateful for the 2 government programs that paved the way for her education particularly her realizations from the 4Ps program and the support from CHED’s TES. Without it, she might have had difficulties in even imagining herself as a college graduate. And she envisions the same success for her children.

Meanwhile, Klepsan ensures that her responsibility as a parent to her children remains her main priority. She helps them in their homework and studies, attends to their needs, and in broad statement, strives to give them a better life.

Her eldest, Yverleona, is now in Grade 8 with recognitions received during her elementary years. Her second child, Kevin Nash, is an honor student in Grade 6 while Keny Austin is in Grade 5.

“Aktibo rin sila sa mga aktibidad sa paaralan at komunidad tulad ng Youth Development Sessions, palaro, at mga programa sa barangay,” Klepsan shared.

[They are also active in school and community activities such as Youth Development Sessions, sports, and other barangay activities.]

Seeing her children attaining such achievement in their life makes her proud as a parent. Indeed, her learning from the parenting sessions during FDS are not wasted. This somehow acknowledges that she and her husband are doing good raising future professionals and leaders in the community. In fact, they were awarded by the school where her children go with “Parents of the Year” award, a feat that is worth-emulated.

The 4Ps program continues to monitor the progress of Rendal family towards Self-Sufficiency. Until then, the program will provide interventions and keep on guiding the family, ensuring that everything written in their Household Intervention Plan (HIP) are accomplished for the well-being of the family.

“Ang 4Ps ay hindi lamang nagbigay ng tulong pinansyal kundi nagsilbing gabay upang kami ay matutong tumayo sa aming sariling mga paa. Ito ay naging daan upang mabago ang aming pananaw sa buhay at mapalakas ang aming kakayahang harapin ang mga hamon.”

[4Ps did not just provide financial aid, they guided us so we can stand on our own feet. It gave us a different view of life at strengthened us to face the difficulties that we encounter.]