“While we’re busy crafting lesson plans, 4Ps is busy making sure we have students to teach.”

This simple yet powerful line captures how Sir Ronald L. Arca, head teacher of Panagan Elementary School in Tigaon, Camarines Sur, views the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). For him, education is not just the responsibility of teachers or schools—it is a shared duty of the entire community. And in this mission, one program has consistently stood by his side: the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s 4Ps.

Since the program’s launch, Sir Ronald has been a staunch advocate and active supporter. He closely monitors the academic journey of 4Ps beneficiaries in his school. Under his leadership, parental involvement—particularly among 4Ps households—has significantly increased, not only in terms of their children’s education but also in school-wide activities and initiatives.

“In the past, many students missed classes because they didn’t have fare, school supplies, or even food. But with the help of 4Ps, they now come to school better prepared, with the tools they need to keep up,” Sir Ronald shared.

This partnership between school and community has gone beyond academic support. Sir Ronald has led collaborative programs such as the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” (School Vegetable Garden), which supplies fresh produce for the school’s feeding program, and the 4Ps Clean-Up Program, organized with local barangay officials to engage parents in regular clean-up drives, promoting cleanliness and a strong sense of shared responsibility.

One of the school’s most cherished annual traditions is the “Family Day and Gift-Giving Activity”, held every December exclusively for 4Ps beneficiaries. Sir Ronald personally seeks sponsors to make sure each child receives a simple gift—a gesture that reinforces their value and reminds them that they are not forgotten.

Another unique initiative is the “Monthly Rabus” (short for “Alalayang Pagtulong” or “Supportive Assistance”), where 4Ps parents come together to help maintain school facilities. These efforts strengthen the partnership between home and school and cultivate a culture of care, ownership, and cooperation.

“4Ps is not just a government program—it’s a symbol of hope,” Sir Ronald emphasized. “It has become our assistant teacher in shaping the future of our children. For every child the program uplifts, there’s a family making progress, and a future that’s growing brighter.”

With the continued support of the 4Ps, Panagan Elementary School has become more than a place of learning—it has become a beacon of community resilience and cooperation. Sir Ronald’s story is proof that when educators, parents, and programs like 4Ps come together, education becomes not only more accessible but deeply transformative.