Kim Kim Inde, a former monitored child of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), emerged as one of the top notchers of the November 2023 Midwives Licensure Exam (MLE) result.

The DSWD shared in a statement on Friday, Dec. 1, that Inde, who presides from Barangay Mainit in Brooke's Point, Palawan, garnered an average grade of 90.60 percent, securing the ninth place among the 2,800 examinees who passed MLE out of 4,119 takers.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/9/2-800-pass-november-2023-licensure-exam-for-midwives

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez lauded Inde's accomplishment, emphasizing that the 4Ps and the funds of the government are being “utilized properly.”

“Ang tagumpay na nakamit ni Kim Kim Inde ay isang patunay na ang 4Ps, lalo na ang aspeto ng programa na investment sa healthcare at education ng mga batang hindi tataas sa 18 years old, ay nakatutulong sa ating mahihirap na kababayan upang mapataas ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay. (The success achieved by Kim Kim Inde is proof that the 4Ps, especially the aspect of the program that involves investment in the healthcare and education of children under 18 years old, contributes to improving the quality of life for our poor and marginalized fellow citizens),” Lopez said.

Inde as DSWD monitored child

Inde, 22 years old, is one of five children of Renecio and Nelita Inde, both coconut farmers in Palawan, and their family became a 4Ps beneficiary in 2014.

In an interview, Inde told DSWD that he recalled a time when their family struggled to put food on the table, relying only on bananas and sweet potatoes during non-harvest seasons.

“Dumating sa punto na halos wala na kaming makain. Saging at kamote na lamang lalo kapag hindi panahon ng pag-ani at pagkokopra. Nagtiyaga ang aking mga magulang sa paghahanap ng ibang pagkakakitaan sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng suka o coconut vinegar at pagbebenta ng mga saging at gulay, (We reached a point where we almost had nothing to eat. Bananas and sweet potatoes were our main sustenance, especially during non-harvest and non-copra season. My parents persevered in seeking alternative sources of income by making vinegar or coconut vinegar and selling bananas and vegetables),” Inde shared.

He then acknowledged the significant role played by the 4Ps program in their family's situation by saying, “The 4Ps has been a significant help, especially in addressing the financial needs of my family and supporting my education.”

“The cash grants we received were responsibly allocated by my parents for education and health expenses, ensuring that it was used properly,” Kim added.

The DSWD underscored that Inde's achievement adds to the growing list of 4Ps monitored beneficiaries who have excelled in various licensure examinations.

To date, the program has produced over 40 board top-notchers and more than 4,100 board examination passers.

The 4Ps program is the flagship poverty reduction and social development initiative of the department.