A joyful voice of a Pantawid Pamilya child-beneficiary was heard around the evacuation center as she sees the 177 boxes of cake donated by Goldilocks for the victims of typhoon Maring with southwest monsoon, at Baseco Evacuation Center on August 21, 2013.
She is Marissa Pineda, 10 years old, with an innocent, yet jolly face who wished for a birthday cake for her coming birthday on August 28, 2013 which was granted seven (7) days earlier before her actual natal day.
According to DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan, Marissa’s family is one of the 464 families from Baseco, Manila who left their home from August 18 to 21, 2013 to prevent enormous damages aside from their damaged houses.
According to Marissa’s mother, Nelia Pineda, 50 years old, a garlic peeler who earns P50 per day, that day when Marissa received a whole cake as a treat for her coming birthday was the first cake ever that the child had.
“Ang hiling nga niya ay pag nakuha ko na ang cash grant namin sa Pantawid Pamilya ay ibili ko siya ng cake para sa birthday niya, pero naibili na ng ilang pangunahing pangangailangan yung nakuha ko kaya sabi ko, hindi ko na siya mabibilhan ng cake,”(Her wish was for me to buy cake when we receive our cash grant but the money was already spent for our major needs, that’s why I told her that I can no longer buy cake for her birthday) Nelia added.
The Pineda family started as beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya on December 2008, receiving Php800.00 per month or a total Php 1,600 every payout.
Marissa is the only child of Nelia and Saturnino Pineda, 49, a construction worker who is very thankful to Pantawid Pamilya program, since they are now able to provide for the education and health needs of their only child.
Further, Nelia was employed at the Trabahong Lansangan of DSWD in partnership with DPWH on April to December 2012 where she earned P456 per day as a street sweeper.
“Hindi namin inakalang sa ganitong panahon ay maibibigay ang matagal nang kahilingan ng aking anak. Bilang magulang, sobrang saya ko na makitang tuwang-tuwa siya sa kanyang natanggap na cake,” (We never thought that today, the wish that is much longing by my child will be granted. As a parent, I’m so glad to see my daughter very happy with the cake she received) Nelia disclosed.