Life in Your Absence: Lived Experiences of Abandoned Child-Beneficiaries from among the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Households

This study explored the lived experiences of the abandoned child-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households.  Employing the transcendental phenomenological design and utilizing phenomenological in-depth interviews, this study described the realities of the five participants. In-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted to gather data from the participants.  Data were manually analyzed to determine the codes, categories, and themes.  From the narratives of the participants, four themes emerged namely:  family relationship nuances, hurdling life’s experiences, aspirations for parental care, and positive outlook. These themes reflect the complex interplay of emotions, relationships, and the socio-economic background that shaped the lived experiences of the participants. This study emphasizes the need for a profound understanding of abandonment in the particular context of 4Ps households and the challenges and resilience integrated into the young lives of some abandoned child-beneficiaries. As a contribution to the field of social welfare, this research provides insights into the difficulties and challenges faced by these abandoned child-beneficiaries and also offers a foundation for future interventions and policy considerations.