The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Regional Program Management Office (RPMO), conducted its annual Consultation Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples (IP) tribal leaders on September 29–30, 2025, at Butuan City.
The annual IP Consultation Dialogue aims to ensure that all 4Ps activities remain culturally sensitive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of various IP tribes across the Caraga Region.
The event gathered selected IP Parent Leaders and Municipal IPMRs from various municipalities across the region. It was further highlighted by the presence of two Provincial IPMRs from Agusan del Norte — Hawudon Datu Armando Una and Hawudon Datu Jimmy Guinsod — who actively participated and shared their insights.
On the first day, partner agencies were invited to provide updates and introduce new programs and services accessible to IP communities. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Administrative Office Caraga presented the Caraga IP Situationer and discussed the process of securing the Certificate of Confirmation. Furthermore, DSWD Caraga presented updates on 4Ps IP implementation, KC-NCDDP updates under IPDD, and IP-related projects under SLP. Meanwhile, PhilHealth gave a brief update on PhilHealth programs, including an orientation on the YAKAP program.
Over the course of two days, the dialogue provided a platform to address issues and concerns related to 4Ps implementation while paving the way for program improvements. The second day featured a workshop where IP tribal leaders presented and discussed pressing concerns affecting their Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).
Republic Act No. 11310 or the 4Ps Act, which was launched in 2008 and formally institutionalized in 2019, serves as the country’s primary poverty alleviation strategy and human capital investment initiative. It grants conditional cash assistance to qualified poor households for up to seven (7) years, aiming to enhance their health, nutrition, and education.
