The Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Families (MCCT-HSF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gives street families new hope that they can be able to surpass their situations and get the life they always dream of, just like Bresilda B. Dizon or “Blessie”, an MCCT-HSF beneficiary.
Blessie, 57 years old, shared how the program helps her in the most difficult times. She shared that positive changes brought by the program during the 8th Roadshow of DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman held in Fairview, Quezon City on July 24, 2015.
She said that they used to live in the waiting shed along C5 Road with her six children because they sold their house when her husband died.
“Nabenta namin ang bahay namin sa halagang P10,500 kasi walang wala na talaga kami, kaya kinailangan na naming tumira sa kalsada. Marami akong nilapitan pero bigo akong makahingi ng tulong.”
She expressed how hard it is to reside on the street. She recalled, “Araw-araw pinoproblema namin kung saan kukuha ng pagkain, kung paano matutustusan ang aming mga pangangailangan. Naaawa ako sa mga anak ko, ayaw kong habang buhay ganoon na lang kami. Nawalan na ako ng pag-asa, nang biglang may dumating na city link mula sa DSWD. Tinulungan niya kaming maging benepisyaryo ng MCCT-HSF.”
At present, Blessie and her family live in a decent and safe home in Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City. She is currently employed under the Cash for Work project wherein she grows plants along Mindanao Avenue. She availed capital assistance so she is able to sell vegetables as additional income for their family.
“Hindi ako nangangamba kahit na mag-isa lang ako sa pagpapalaki ng aking mga anak, sapagkat naniniwala ako na magkatuwang kami ng gobyerno, lalong lalo na ang DSWD, para tahakin ang magandang pamumuhay na aming hinahangad,” she disclosed.
In her message, Secretary Corazon Julian-Soliman said that she was inspired on this kind of stories and encouraged other beneficiaries to share the same, “Kaya niyo ang Pagbabago, Kayo ang Pagbabago, Ipagpatuloy niyo ang magandang pagbabago.”
Beneficiaries of MCCT-HSF receive a maximum of P1,400 per month for health and education of the children and P3,000 monthly housing assistance for six months while they are being prepared for their community reintegration.
Under this program, parents should ensure that their children do not stay or work on the streets and should attend Family Life Education and Counseling, Family Development Sessions (FDS); the children should be attending any mode of learning, either regular school, Alternative Learning System (ALS), School on Wheels or Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP); parents/guardians should bring their children to health centers for immunizations, weight and height monitoring and preventive check-ups; and household beneficiaries must stay in alternative residences after identification, relocation and/or provision of shelter assistance for them. ###