Cebu inks partnership with DSWD, UNICEF for stronger 4Ps support

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has formalized a tripartite partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII and UNICEF to strengthen support for families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The ceremonial signing late last week was led by Mayor Nestor Archival, together with DSWD Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Kyungsun Kim, and Cebu City Department of Social Welfare and Services head Portia C. Basmayor.

Lapu-Lapu City, represented by Mayor Cindi Chan, also entered into its own agreement with DSWD and UNICEF.

The partnership is anchored on the UNICEF–DSWD Rolling Work Plan for 2024–2026, which emphasizes child welfare, family resilience, and inclusive social protection.

It seeks to expand interventions in parenting support, financial literacy, livelihood development, and life skills training, ensuring that families are better prepared to face economic challenges and sustain long-term progress.

UNICEF’s participation brings international best practices in child-centered welfare, while DSWD provides the operational framework. Cebu City, on the other hand, delivers localized services.

Archival, in his statement during the signing, stressed the importance of putting families and children at the center of governance.

“Through this partnership, atong palig-onon ang social protection, family resilience, financial and life skills, parenting support, ug uban pang interventions nga makatabang sa mga pamilya nga mas maandam sa mga kalisdanan ug makapadayon sa ilang pag-uswag,” he said.

Archival further emphasized that Cebu City will continue to build partnerships that prioritize the welfare of families and children.

“Padayon ta sa pagpalig-on sa mga partnership nga nagbutang sa kaayohan sa mga pamilya ug kabataan sa sentro sa atong serbisyo,” he added.

The initiative comes at a time when the 4Ps program remains a cornerstone of the government’s social protection framework.

In Central Visayas, more than 135,000 4Ps households recently received cash assistance under the UPLIFT program, which provides P2,000 in monthly aid from July to December 2026 to help poor and near-poor families cope with inflation and rising fuel costs.

Nationwide, UPLIFT targets 7.5 million households, including 3.5 million 4Ps and Walang Gutom beneficiaries, validated through the Community-Based Monitoring System.

By aligning local initiatives with national programs and international support, Cebu City aims to deliver more comprehensive welfare services that go beyond cash transfers, focusing instead on resilience, empowerment, and sustainable growth for Cebuano families.