Former beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from Central Visayas continue to bring honor and inspiration to the region by achieving top rankings in various licensure examinations, proving that education remains a powerful tool to escape poverty.
Many of these topnotchers come from low-income families that struggled with daily needs and school expenses. Through 4Ps, they were able to continue their elementary and high school education with educational cash grants, health support, and regular monitoring to ensure school attendance and health status.
March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)
In the March 2026 LET, five former 4Ps beneficiaries made it to the national topnotchers list. Jhade Vine Icot from Liloan, Cebu, placed Top 1 in the Elementary Level. Also in the Top 5 for Elementary were Jean Mayeth A. Jaca and Jashmen P. Pason, both from Barili, Cebu, and Niña Naneth M. Reando from Danao City. In the Secondary Level, Bliss Marie P. Abcede, also from Barili, secured Top 5 nationwide.
Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE)
Not only in teaching did former 4Ps beneficiaries shine. In the field of engineering, Rico Q. Elao from Alegria, Cebu, achieved Top 1 in the March 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination (CELE), further testament to their hard work and determination.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7, from 2018 to the present, Central Visayas has produced 37 topnotchers who were former 4Ps beneficiaries. Most of them excelled in the LET, while others topped other professional licensure exams such as Social Worker, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, Customs Broker, and Forester licensure examinations.
Stories of Perseverance
In his statement, Icot said that the success of 4Ps beneficiaries comes from perseverance, sacrifice, and the desire to rise from poverty. He emphasized that it is wrong to view the lives of beneficiaries as easy; rather, the government's assistance served as an inspiration to work hard in their studies.
He also shared that despite the varying abilities of each family member, they continue to strive even in difficult times. Even with their mother working far from home, the income was still insufficient, so the 4Ps and DSWD greatly helped in their education and daily needs. This year, two of their family members graduated from college.
DSWD's Perspective
DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero said that the increasing number of topnotchers from 4Ps demonstrates the long-term impact of investing in education and human development.
She added that these achievements inspire not only current beneficiaries but also other students in the region, proving that through determination, proper support, and opportunity, children from poor families can succeed and become future leaders.
About 4Ps
The 4Ps, as the government's flagship poverty reduction program, provides conditional cash grants to ensure that children remain healthy and continue their schooling. Through continuous support, it aims to help families break the cycle of poverty.
The success stories of these topnotchers remain a strong reminder that even in hardship, dreams can be achieved, and education continues to transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
