In the face of adversity, 23-year-old Shemiah M. Pineda from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro has defied the odds and passed the 2023 Civil Engineer Licensure Examinations. As a beneficiary of the Pantawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Shemiah’s story serves as an inspiration to many, proving that determination and resilience can pave the way to success.

Shemiah and her two siblings were raised single-handedly by their mother, Prescy, after their father left them when they were young. Despite their impoverished circumstances, the Pineda family was granted assistance through the 4Ps in 2013. This stipend provided much-needed support, covering their daily expenses and allowing Shemiah’s mother to work in Manila to provide for her children’s education and her parents’ medication.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has congratulated Shemiah on her recent accomplishment, recognizing her previous distinction as the 2013 Pantawid Pamilya National Exemplary Child winner. Shemiah expressed her gratitude to the program, acknowledging the role it played in her achievements and encouraging others to persevere in pursuing their dreams.

Being named a National Exemplary Child opened doors for Shemiah, motivating her to complete her studies and allowing her to become the youth and child representative of their barangay and the municipality of San Jose.

Her message to other 4Ps beneficiaries is clear: “Don’t give up until we reach our goals. Let’s remember that no dream is impossible as long as you keep going. Each step counts, every effort counts. As long as we make a way for what we want to happen, nothing is impossible.”

Shemiah’s story is a testament to the potential impact of the 4Ps program on alleviating poverty and promoting social development. As of December 31, 2022, the program has reached 3,798,151 active household beneficiaries across 41,676 barangays nationwide.

Shemiah is not the only 4Ps beneficiary to find success in the 2023 Civil Engineering Licensure Examinations.

Engr. Alexis Castillo Alegado, a cum laude graduate of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte, topped the exams with a score of 92.10%. These young achievers exemplify the transformative power of education and the role of the 4Ps in breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty among poor households.