San Luis, Agusan del Sur – Forty-four senior high school students from Cecilia National High School celebrated their graduation from the pilot implementation of the Youth Development Sessions on Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This milestone event marks a significant step in empowering young minds toward financial resilience and entrepreneurial skills.
The sessions, spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga’s 4Ps Regional Program Management Office (RPMO), ran from August to November 2024. Held at Cecilia National High School in Barangay Cecilia, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, the program engaged students from both 4Ps beneficiary families and non-4Ps households, emphasizing inclusivity in fostering youth development.
During the closing ceremony, Social Welfare Officer IV Sha Honey Petillo inspired the students to set personal and family goals as a driving force for success. “Start with a dream. Oftentimes, we forget to have our own dreams. When we dream, that will push us to strive and work hard to achieve that dream,” Petillo shared in her message.
Jehmymah Moscatilles, 4Ps Caraga Assistant Regional Program Coordinator, encouraged the graduates to extend their newfound knowledge to their communities. “What you have learned here, I encourage you to share with your other classmates, family members, and your neighbors. So that they also have a chance to improve their state of well-being,” Moscatilles said, underscoring the program’s cascading impact.
The sessions aimed to equip students with essential financial skills, covering topics like budgeting, saving, and investing. These lessons are crucial in preparing the youth to navigate financial challenges and pursue entrepreneurial ventures confidently.
Joylyn Hejara, one of the program participants, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn practical financial concepts. “As a student involved in the sessions, I have gained wonderful insights that not only enhanced my knowledge but also shifted my perspective about finance and entrepreneurship. The sessions helped me understand how to take control of my finances – from budgeting to saving, and even investing,” Hejara shared.
The pilot program’s success highlights the importance of integrating financial literacy into youth education. It serves as a model for similar initiatives, empowering more students to become financially responsible and entrepreneurial citizens in the future.