By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr.

The CPU-University Tailoring Shop and Training Center located in the 3rd floor of Johnson Hall in which 4Ps beneficiaries are the seamstress.

On May 20-22, 2025, a 3-day training seminar was attended by women and men, solo parents, and senior citizens, where they learned to pattern, measure, and make shirts and pants. These trained 4Ps beneficiaries are now resident members of the CPU-Tailoring Shop and Training Center.

This initiative stemmed from last year’s call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of Western Visayas. The call was for civic society organizations, selected government orgs, NGOs, and other institutions to help the government in orchestrating various social development initiatives for 4Ps beneficiaries.

Therefore, the CPU Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center and the Assosasyon ng Pantawid Pamilyang Mananahi, a group of former and existing 4Ps beneficiaries and recipients of the livelihood program of the DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program, suggested establishing a tailoring shop and training center for other 4Ps beneficiaries and individuals with interest in sewing and tailoring.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also known as “4Ps” is a government program that provides conditional cash assistance to poor households nationwide. The primary goal is to eradicate poverty by investing in the health and education of children aged 0-18 years old.

To concretize this initiative and before the training seminar, the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center sought consultation from the Office for Institutional Advancement, the Vice President for Administration, the Gender and Development Office, and the CPUGAD Technology Business Incubator (TBI) regarding garment and apparel innovation and development opportunities. The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) of the National Economic Development Authority also gave consultation on how to integrate volunteerism.

The current location of the CPU-Tailoring Shop and training center is on the 3rd Floor of Johnson Hall. They are now accepting sewing and tailoring services from our faculty, staff, students, and the public. Furthermore, the CESL Center will soon announce when the tailoring and training center will be ready to offer free training to other 4Ps beneficiaries and to those interested in tailoring and sewing.