The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will once again gather around 5,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at the Philippine Sports Arena ​(ULTRA) in Pasig City​​ ​to celebrate Family Day today, October 4.

With the theme, “Tuloy ang Pagbabago”, the event aims to affirm the positive change of the program on the lives of the poor beneficiaries.

“We have heard of so many anecdotal stories of change which are consistent with the results of​​ ​the first and second wave impact evaluation of the program affirming that the Pantawid Pamliya  is on track in achieving its goals and objectives,” said DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households with children aged 0-18.

Commonly known as the Philippine version of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), the Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants upon compliance to the set of responsibilities which the beneficiaries committed to undertake. This includes school attendance of at least 85% of  children aged 3-18; pre- and post- natal care for pregnant women based on the government protocol; regular health check-ups for children aged 0-5; deworming for children enrolled in the elementary; and, attendance to Family Development Sessions.

Currently, the program covers 4.4​ million households.

“Apart from the program, we have also invited other government agencies to set-up booths so that our beneficiaries will be able to access their services. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will have satellite registration booths while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will lead the Jobs Fair. The Department of National Defense (DND) on the other hand will hold a medical and dental mission,” added Sec. Soliman.

Private companies such as Bernabest will raffle 5 pedicabs while Reyes Haircutters will give free haircut services. CDO company will have free hotdogs for the beneficiaries.

Celebrities Karla Estrada and TJ Marquez will also grace the occasion.

“This event was first launched last year and we hope to do this annually. The people who are with us today are the mothers and fathers who are working hard for their children. They  are our partners in ensuring that children of today will have better opportunities tomorrow,” concluded Sec. Soliman.