Bayambang was chosen by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office I as host in this year’s observance of the International Day of Overcoming Extreme Poverty. Locally renamed to “Kilos Sambayanan Laban sa Kahirapan,” the activity has the following stated aim: “Pagpapakilala at Pagkilala sa mga Natatanging Benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya.”

In attendance were some 300 4Ps members, all Municipal Links from DSWD’s local Municipal Operations Office, members of the Bayambang Poverty Reduction Action Team under Municipal Administrator and Anti-Poverty Office head Atty. Rodelynn Rajini A. Sagarino-Vidad, and LGU officials and employees.

Bayambang was chosen as the venue for the celebration because the municipality has an ongoing “Revolution Against Poverty” and reportedly has the highest number of 4Ps members (89 family-beneficiaries) who voluntarily waived their names from the 4Ps list.

The event was kicked off by an Advocacy Walk at around 6 am around the Poblacion area, and it was marked by chants of “Kahirapan, Labanan!” — with some of the chanters carrying placards proclaiming the same.

A Zumba ‘dancercise’ followed at the Balon Bayambang Events Center. After breakfast was served, a program was held, and it was graced by no less than the DSWD’s Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, Councilor Philip Dumalanta, Councilor Martin Terrado II, Atty. Sagarino-Vidad, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office head Lerma Padagas and other officials from the LGU and the DSWD regional office who traveled all the way from the City of San Fernando, La Union.

Mayor Quiambao welcomed the guests and greeted the participants by exclaiming: “’Naghirap, Umahon, Yayaman’ — iyan kayo, dahil pansamantala lamang ang Programang Pantawid Pamilya. Isa lamang itong maliit na paraan upang tulungan kayong umahon sa kahirapan.”

In his inspirational address, Director Castillo addressed the 4Ps members and said, “Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay hudyat ng bagong kabanata sa inyong mga buhay. Walang forever na mahirap, dahil sa pagtutulungan ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan.”

“Sa paglaban sa kahirapan, dapat may araw din ng paglaya.” … “We need champions (like you),” Castillo said.

Addressing the local leadership, he recognized the efforts of LGU Bayambang by saying, “Talagang ang bayan ng Bayambang ay lumalaban sa kahirapan,” and dubbed Mayor Quiambao as “Mukha ng Tagumpay laban sa kahirapan ng mamamayang Bayambangueño.”

“Salamat sa Bayambang Poverty Reduction Plan, which is your map or blueprint, nagiging huwaran ang Bayambang sa pagharap sa hamon ng kahirapan. Di namin ito kakayaning mag-isa, kaya’t salamat sa inyong kontribusyon,” he said.

“Maraming salamat, Bayambang. Sama-sama nating sugpuin ang kahirapan at sama-sama tayong tumawid tungo sa pag-unlad ng ating buhay,” he concluded.

During the Media Forum attended by mediapersons from Sonshine Radio and Pangasinan Information Agency, DSWD Information Officer Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces led the following 4Ps ‘graduates’ in “Pagpapahayag ng Tagumpay,” a series of personal testimonials of the graduate-members in overcoming the hardships of life through the 4Ps program and through their own will and determination: Jocelyn T. Napuli of Brgy. Darawey, Maribeth M. Junio of Brgy. Manambong Norte, Fe F. Colisao of Brgy. Asin, and Alfonso V. Iglesias of Brgy. Bongato West.

Among them, Colisao gave the most heartfelt message. “Iniinsulto kami sa pagiging mahirap, pero di ko inintindi ang mga taong kumukutya sa amin, dahil isa lamang pagsubok ito sa akin. Hindi ako susuko upang malabanan ang kahirapan. … Kailangan lamang tayong magpakatotoo sa ating mga sarili at manalig sa Diyos upang umunlad ang ating pamumuhay.”

She called on 4Ps members not to abuse the program. “Kung pwede na tayong mag-waive, magwaive na tayo.”

In the next portion of the program titled “Pagtugon sa Hamon ng Tagumpay,” Maggie R. Magbuhos of Brgy. Manambong Parte represented her fellow 4Ps members in responding to the challenge posed by the graduates.

In “KanTAGUMPAY,” Parent Leader Advocate Analyn C. Gallardo led the Panunumpa Laban sa Kahirapan, while Brgy. Pangdel Parent Leader Julie A. Ico led the singing of a hymn inspiring everyone to keep on succeeding against poverty.

Regional Program Director Rosalyn L. Descallar closed the program by saying, “Ang pagiging mahirap ay hindi hadlang upang makamit ang mithiin sa buhay. Basta’t ikaw ay may pagsisikap, magbubunga ito ng kasaganaan.”