02/06/2026
More Than Financial Aid: How 4Ps Family Development Sessions Changed the Life of Jerosa Delos Reyes
For many people, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps is often viewed simply as financial assistance for low-income families. But for Jerosa Mahinay Delos Reyes of Barangay Casabangan, Pio V. Corpus, Masbate, the program became something far more meaningful. Beyond helping them survive difficult times, it equipped her with the knowledge, confidence, and discipline that eventually helped change the course of their lives.
At 44 years old, Jerosa carried the weight of keeping her family together through years of hardship. Like many mothers, she constantly worried about how to budget their limited income, provide food for the family, and ensure that her children could continue going to school despite financial struggles.
Life was never easy for the Delos Reyes family. Her husband’s income was often not enough to support all their needs, especially with a child pursuing college education. There were days when every peso had to be carefully divided among food, transportation, school expenses, and household necessities.
When their family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, the financial assistance helped ease some of their burdens. It allowed them to prioritize their children’s education and meet their daily needs. But according to Jerosa, the most valuable part of the program was not only the cash assistance but the lessons she gained through the Family Development Sessions or FDS.
Through the regular FDS gatherings, Jerosa learned practical lessons on proper budgeting, financial management, responsible parenting, communication, and self-discipline. She realized that even small decisions inside the home could greatly affect the future of the family.
The sessions slowly changed her mindset and strengthened her confidence.
She became more organized in managing finances, more disciplined in prioritizing needs over wants, and more confident in dealing with people and responsibilities. The values and skills she learned from FDS did not only help her become a better mother and provider, but also prepared her for bigger opportunities outside their home.
Years later, those learnings became instrumental in helping Jerosa secure a permanent position as an Administrative Assistant III at Severino P. Arellano National High School.
For Jerosa, the job was more than a source of stable income. It was proof that the knowledge and values she gained through FDS could create real opportunities for growth. The confidence, communication skills, sense of responsibility, and discipline she developed through the sessions helped her become more capable and prepared for the demands of administrative work.
While balancing work and family responsibilities, Jerosa also continued supporting her children’s education. One of the proudest moments in her journey was seeing her child reach the third year of college despite the many struggles they faced as a family.
Through every challenge, Jerosa held firmly to her faith. She believed that continuous prayer, perseverance, and trust in God would guide their family through difficult times. Slowly, the life they once struggled to build became more stable and hopeful.
Today, the Delos Reyes family stands as proof that 4Ps is more than just financial aid. For families like theirs, it is a program that empowers parents, strengthens family relationships, and provides opportunities for personal growth through initiatives like Family Development Sessions.
Their story is not one of overnight success, but of gradual transformation shaped by sacrifice, learning, determination, and faith.
Jerosa now hopes that their journey will inspire other families facing the same hardships. She wants fellow beneficiaries to understand that the lessons learned through FDS can go beyond the household and become tools for achieving personal growth and better opportunities in life.
