After two (2) years of searching for their family members subsequent to their survival in the devastating wrath of typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Mr. and Mrs. Muñez from Leyte had finally find their way back to each others’ arms again in Manila.
“Ang mister ko ay sumakay ng C130 habang ako at aking mga anak ay nag bus upang makapunta ng maynila… naglagi kami sa may luneta at doon ay nakapagtayo ng barung-barong habang unti-unting nawawalan ng pag-asa kung makikita ko pa kaya ang asawa ko,” Lorena Muñez, 49 years old shared during the Family Development Session (FDS) workshop for MCCT-HSF couples.
Surviving in Manila after typhoon Yolanda
In September 2015, Lorena’s family became a beneficiary of DSWD’s Modified Conditional cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF) after they were reached out along the Ocean Park area in Luneta, Manila City.
“Nagtitinda kami ng chicharon sa maghapon para maipanggastos namin ng dalawa kong anak na kasama ko sa bahay… samantala, yung dalawa kong anak ay nasa Tagbilaran, isang pastor at isang may pamilya na,” added by Lorena.
Meanwhile, her husband, Norberto Muñez, 48 years old has travelled twice back and forth from Manila to Leyte just to continue his search for his loving wife and kids until in October 2015 when his relative from Pasay City informed him that his family is currently vending chicharon in Luneta.
“Nung nabalitaan ko ‘yun, hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa dahil sobrang gusto ko ng Makita ang pamilya ko… nagtatanong tanong ako ‘dun sa Luneta at awa ng diyos ay kilala sila doon dahil sila daw ang na-reach out ng DSWD kamailan lang,” Norberto narrated.
After their school hours, Michael, 12 years old chose to help her mother in vending chicharon in Luneta while Lorena is currently employed as street sweeper under the cash-for-work scheme of MCCT-HSF that provides a source of livelihood for its beneficiaries.
Reunited in a safe “home”
Until one day, Michael arrived in their home which is being rented as their Alternative Family Home (AFH) together with his father that made Lorena burst with happiness and astonishment.
Teresa didn’t even know what to do as she still can’t believe how miraculous it is that her heart’s deepest wish which is to see and touch his alive husband since years ago, has finally came true right before her.
“Bago ko pinatuloy ang asawa ko sa bahay namin ay nakipag-ugnayan agad ako sa City Link ko kasi sinabi ko sa kanya na solo parent na ako dahil talagang wala na akong pag-asa na makikita ko pa ang asawa ko,” Teresa told.
MCCT-HSF beneficiaries appreciate FDS
On November 16-18, 2015, DSWD-NCR conducted the last batch of Family Development Session (FDS) workshop to a total of 43 MCCT-HSF couples in order to further appreciate the topics being discussed in their scheduled sessions. The Muñez couple were one of those couples who participated.
Also, among the attendees, Joel Reyes from Quezon City expressed his thoughts on how significant that spiritual aspect is included in the topics of their FDS.
“Nung nakaattend ako ng FDS at tungkol sa spiritwal na bagay ang paksa, naramdaman ko na nakatulong ito upang mapalapit ako sa Diyos… isang malaking bagay na sa ganung uri ng talakayan ay natuturuan ‘din kami ng aral ng Panginoon,” Joel emphasized.
FDS is under the health conditionality of the MCCT-HSF program wherein the beneficiaries need to attend weekly for their 1st to 2nd month from registration in the program and twice a month for their 3rd month onwards.
MCCT-HSF aims to remove the indigent families from the streets by providing health and education assistance to children aged 0-18 years old and financial assistance for them to avail AFH.###