CHED XI, DSWD XI, DEPED XI, and TESDA XI bring Project PEPA closer to 4Ps families through ONSE LIVE FDS
DAVAO CITY, 27 April 2026 – The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XI (CHED RO XI), through its UniFAST Unit, joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office XI (DSWD FO XI) in the conduct of the ONSE LIVE: 4Ps Family Development Session, an online Family Development Session for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the Davao Region.
Livestreamed from the CHED RO XI Function Hall, the activity carried the theme “Sa FDS Onse Live, ang pamilya mag-uban sa Dugang Kaalam” and served as a convergence platform for education, training, and social development support. The onsite presence of CHED RO XI Regional Director Dr. Maricar R. Casquejo, CESO III; DepEd XI Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo; and TESDA XI Regional Director Dir. Tarhata S. Mapandi, CESO III underscored the shared commitment of the education sector to bring coordinated services and guidance closer to 4Ps families.
CHED RO XI’s participation was anchored on Project PEPA, or Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon, a CHED-UniFAST information and advocacy initiative that seeks to expand awareness of higher education opportunities, student financial assistance, and post-secondary pathways among learners from disadvantaged sectors. Under the recalibrated implementation of Project PEPA, DSWD Family Development Sessions and Youth Development Sessions are recognized platforms for integrating PEPA and UniFAST modules and reaching more learners and families.
In her message, RD Casquejo emphasized that education remains one of the strongest pathways to social and economic upliftment. She also highlighted that educational planning is a shared family undertaking, where parents and guardians play a vital role in helping learners make informed choices after Senior High School.
“Project PEPA is about bringing clear, reliable, and practical information closer to families, especially those who need it most. We do not want lack of information to become a barrier to a learner’s future,” RD Casquejo said.
As part of the 4Ps ONSErbisyo segment, Dr. Christopher Pio O. Pulido, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED RO XI, presented Project PEPA and discussed government support mechanisms under Republic Act No. 10931, including Free Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Subsidy, and other student financial assistance opportunities. CHED RO XI also participated in the Onse’y Tubag? segment, where regional officials responded to viewers’ questions on education pathways and government programs.
The activity further featured the FDS Onse Kaalam segment, which included a session on “Planning Your Children’s Education and Understanding Lifelong Learning” by Ruchela P. Gamao, RGC, LPT, Associate Professor and Guidance Counselor of the University of Southeastern Philippines. TESDA XI also discussed “Training to Trabaho: From Simple Employment to High-Value Employability,” while DSWD XI provided updates and reminders relevant to 4Ps beneficiaries.
The ONSE LIVE FDS recorded strong digital engagement, with 136,600 total views, 68,800 unique viewers, and 14,800 total interactions. Engagement included 5.3K likes, 8.2K comments, and 1.2K shares, while the page gained 754 new followers. These results demonstrate the potential of digital and community-based platforms to expand access to timely education information.
For CHED RO XI, the activity is also aligned with the A.C.H.I.E.V.E. Agenda, particularly in advancing lifelong learning pathways, strengthening coordinated human capital development, promoting evidence-informed and data-supported public service, improving inter-agency governance, and using digital platforms to deliver effective and efficient services. Through Project PEPA, the region supports learners and families in making informed choices toward college, technical-vocational education, employment, livelihood, or other productive pathways.
Regional data reflected in the SHS Career PathWatch responses showed that 27,909 learners in the region intend to proceed to college, 3,069 prefer TESDA skills training, 5,779 are considering employment after Senior High School, and 968 are inclined toward livelihood or small business.
Through its participation in the ONSE LIVE FDS, CHED RO XI reaffirmed its commitment to making higher education information more accessible to disadvantaged learners and families, strengthening inter-agency convergence, and supporting the transition of Senior High School learners to meaningful post-secondary and lifelong learning opportunities.
