Key development partners, including the Australian Embassy, World Bank, UNICEF, and the Asian Development Bank, joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) 4Ps National Program Management Office for a two-day implementation support mission under the 9th BFIRST (Beneficiary: Fast, Innovative, and Responsive Service Transformation—Social Protection) Project.

The visiting team assessed the ongoing implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Cagayan de Oro City, with a focus on strengthening DSWD’s social protection delivery systems to prepare for future shocks.

The BFIRST Project supports four major reform areas in DSWD’s social protection reform plan: the shift to digital financial technology solutions, IT system upgrades, and integration with key government agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Philippine Statistics Authority for the National ID system; the adoption of Listahanan 3 for improved 4Ps targeting; and the establishment of “new normal” strategies in implementing 4Ps and other social protection programs.

DSWD has been implementing the BFIRST Project, a five-year initiative in partnership with the World Bank. The project aims to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on low-income households while strengthening adaptive and efficient social protection delivery systems.

It supports digital cash transfers and enhances the implementation of 4Ps, a poverty reduction strategy.

This year’s mission focused on preparations for the 2026 graduation of 169,463 4Ps household beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao, ensuring a smooth transition from the program to self-sufficiency.

The development partners visited the regional offices of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) X, the Department of Agriculture X, and the Public Employment Service Office X.

They also interacted with selected 4Ps beneficiaries from barangays Cugman, Bulua, Patag, and Tumpagon to gather feedback on the program’s impact and challenges.

In a separate focus group discussion, the delegation met with 4Ps systems focal persons, Institutional Partnership and Development Officers, Family Development Session focal staff, and city links to better understand how field personnel implement the program and support beneficiaries nearing graduation.

The mission highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration, technological innovation, and community readiness to ensure that 4Ps continues to uplift lives and reduce poverty sustainably and adaptively.

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