“Tanda ko pa noon na talagang kumakain kame ng pagpag ng pamilya ko… wala kasi talaga kaming maipanggastos kahit sa ilang pangunahin naming pangangailangan,” Ico Sol, 24 years old from Payatas Quezon City said.
After a year of being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya program, Ico grabbed the opportunity to be employed that finally, a high school graduate like her will have a chance to acquire a decent job that would help her provide the needs of her family.
“Akala ko dati wala na akong pag-asang makakuha ng maayos na trabaho… ang asawa ko naman ay kontraktwal na janitor lamang… napakahirap na tatlong pamilya kame na nagsasama-sama sa isang tahanan….” Ico narrated
No more “Pagpag”
After finishing the 20-day training funded thru DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) where she learned basic disciplines as a guard with lessons on self-defensing, Ico was referred for employment at SM Cubao, a partner agency of Silverstone.
Fortunately, Ico is currently employed as a lady guard where she’s gaining more experiences and competencies for future employments.
“Sa trabahong ito, talaga pa lang masusubukan ang pasensya mo lalo na kapag may mga taong ayaw magpacheck ng bag nila pero dapat mong ipilit dahil bahagi ito ng aking tungkulin sa serbisyo,” Ico emphasized.
Ico also happily shared that her family can now afford to buy fried chicken in fast food chains and that they no longer consume pagpag just to survive in their daily living.
“Nakakakain na kame sa fast food ngayon ‘di tulad dati na hanggang pagpag lang kame… masaya ako na naibibigay ko hindi lang pang pangangailangan ng mga anak ko kundi pati ang gusto nila,” she added.
Skills training for Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries
Mrs. Sol is among the1,349 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Metro Manila who graduated in skills training program in 2015 from the partner schools and institutions of the Department in providing such services.
Currently, DSWD-NCR has 29 partners who are providing skills training to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from 15 to 90 days depending on the chosen course of the beneficiary with the guidance of their respective Project Development Officers (PDO). As part of the agreement, the partner school/ technical vocational institution shall refer their graduates to employment opportunities.
Under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department, the beneficiaries are provided with skills training to capacitate them in acquiring employment to provide for the needs of their family.
Sustainability of the kindled hope
Now, Mrs. Sol is full of gratitude to the Department as it made her a productive mother and a wife which she considered as a priceless blessing from up above.
“May pag asa pa pala ang katulad kong simpleng maybahay at ina lamang… ang sarap sa pakiramdam na naibibigay ko na ang pangangailangan ng aking pamilya at nakakatulong pa ako sa aking mga kapatid,” Mrs. Sol emotionally stated.
Mrs. Sol also deeply acknowledges the support of Pantawid Pamilya program that supports the health and education expenses of her children aged 7 and 4 who are now enrolled as grade one and kinder, respectively.###