Smart Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
23 April 2015
President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the Pagdiriwang para sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Graduates ng 2015 held at the Smart Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City where he served as the guest of honor and speaker.
The estimated crowd of 11,000 graduates attended the event, all of them beneficiaries of the 4Ps from different cities in the National Capital Region. Among them are 79 class valedictorians and honor students from different schools in the Philippines, some coming from as far as Abra and South Cotabato.
The President was accompanied by Education (DepEd) Secretary Brother Armin Luistro, Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman, and Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II who gave an inspiring message to the graduates to pursue their dreams and show the world that they can become a successful person that the country can rely on.
In his speech, the President acknowledged the importance of the youth’s participation for the future of the nation. “Kayo ang gumawa ng pagbabago, at kayo rin ang magpapatuloy nito. Kayo ang magiging susi upang makamit natin ang mas malawak pang transpormasyon ng ating bansa, at maipamana ang isang Pilipinas na bukal ng tunay na pagkakataon para sa buong sambayanan,” he said.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is spearheaded by the DSWD in partnership with different government agencies and local government units along with some privately- owned institutions. It aims to increase the quality of life of Filipinos, especially the poor, through social assistance and development.
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