THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Friday that two former monitored children under the agency’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PH) have ranked among the topnotchers of the September and November 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). “The Department extends its congratulations to former 4Ps monitored children Chariz Ann Rillamas Lucero and Clyde Zeph Payusan for once again demonstrating that effective government interventions, combined with hard work and dedication, can help achieve our mission of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, also DSWD’s spokesperson, said. Lucero, of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, landed in the 7th spot in the LET-Secondary Level, while Payusan, of Dalaguete, Cebu, ranked 9th in the LET-Elementary Level. Payusan expressed his gratitude to 4Ps for supporting his academic journey in his message posted on the Facebook page of the DSWD regional office. “The 4Ps goes beyond financial aid; it genuinely helps lessen the educational and economic struggles of families like ours,” he said. Dumlao said the achievements of the former 4Ps monitored children highlight the Marcos Administration’s goal to improve the lives of poor and marginalized families primarily through health and education. Meanwhile, Marvine Sabal, of Baroy, Lanao del Norte, was still in Grade 6 when his family became 4PS beneficiaries. At that time, he admits that he did not fully understand the importance of the assistance his family was receiving. “What seemed like a simple cash grant would later become a crucial lifeline that helped me pursue my education,” he said. He reiterated that through the 4Ps, his family received financial assistance that helped them meet their daily needs and education. His family graduated from the program during his final year in high school after the local social welfare and development office assessed that their living conditions had improved. He was thankful to the DSWD for standing by him during the most challenging moments of his life and for helping support his dreams. Today, those dreams have become a reality, as proven by the professional license he earned from the Professional Regulation Commission, the agency said. "Hello, Department of Social Welfare and Development - DSWD! I am Marvine B. Sabal, a beneficiary of the 4Ps program.  I am now a licensed teacher and currently teaching in DepEd," he proudly shared on Facebook. Launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019, the 4Ps provides conditional cash grants to more than four million family beneficiaries, whose children get support until they graduate from elementary and senior high school, and are given nutrition grants. (Arlie O. Calalo)