HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday lauded the newly forged partnership between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide scholarships, skills training, and certification to former beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Romualdez described the program as a tangible manifestation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improving the lives of poor Filipino families through targeted, skill-based initiatives.

“This joint initiative of the DSWD and TESDA is a concrete demonstration of the administration’s unrelenting effort to accelerate our fight against poverty,” the Speaker said.

“The House of Representatives is committed to supporting laudable programs that give our people the tools to free themselves from the clutch of poverty,” he stressed.

On Friday, the DSWD and TESDA signed a memorandum of agreement to enhance support for households that have exited the 4Ps and are transitioning out of the conditional cash transfer program.

Under the agreement, TESDA will offer scholarship slots, skills training, and certification to qualified beneficiaries referred by the DSWD.

Romualdez emphasized that continuous learning and upskilling are vital for long-term success.

“The 4Ps has helped thousands of families through health and education support for their children. In today’s fast-changing job market, skills training is the next step toward sustainable livelihoods,” he said.