Two former monitored children of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) passed the recently conducted Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Licensure Examination and the Bar Examination.

The two former 4Ps-monitored kids are Joan Grace Ewican of Carmen, Bohol who is now a licensed engineer and Kerth Jay Alunan of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte who is now a lawyer.

“We are proud to announce that two former monitored children of 4Ps are now a licensed engineer and a lawyer. We express our pride and recognition for the perseverance and hard work of these individuals,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.

The DSWD spokesperson said the 4Ps continues to reap gains with more than 30,000 former monitored children having completed their tertiary education from 2016 to 30 April 2024 with a number of them graduating with honors and distinctions as well as topping various licensure examinations.

“The number is expected to go up as the 2024 academic year is coming to a close,” Dumlao said.

Joan Grace Ewican is an alumnus of Bohol Island State University — Bilar Campus in Carmen, Bohol. She has a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

In a Facebook post of the DSWD Field Office 7-Central Visayas, Joan Grace said the DSWD’s 4Ps played a big part in her success.

“I once dreamt of this moment, wondering if I would get here knowing our family’s financial situation. But God’s providence never failed. Our family became a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which played a big part in my success,” the FO-7’s Facebook post read.

Joan Grace added: “I still clearly remember an innocent child drawing buildings during the talent portion of the Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children 2014, expressing my eagerness to be an engineer. Though I was a bit redirected, I am truly grateful that God led me to where I am now.”

Joan Grace also won the 4th place in the 2014 National Search for Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary Children, an annual awarding rites of the program that recognizes 4Ps children-beneficiaries who are role models in their homes, communities and schools.

The new engineer also expressed her gratitude for the financial assistance from the local government unit of Carmen and the Commission on Higher Education scholarship program.

Kerth Jay Alunan, who passed the 2024 Bar Examinations given last 8, 11 and 15 September took up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Zamboanga del Norte.