“Bata pa lamang ako, namulat na ang aking kaisipan sa mga kahirapan ng buhay. Dinaanan ko ang maraming pagsubok, na minsan ay napapaluha na lamang ako dahil napapaisip ako na tila ayaw ko na…” said by John Ramon P. Gadia, NCR’s Pantawid Pamilya exemplary child 2015.

As he delivers his speech in front of the officials and staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Malacañang Palace during the celebration of the Department’s 65^th founding anniversary, John confidently narrated his challenges in life before being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya program.

“Naiisip ko na hindi ko na kayang sumabay sa iba pa na mas nakaaangat sa kanilang mga buhay. Pero hindi ako sumuko dahil alam ko na makakamit ko rin ang inaasam kong tagumpay,” John emphasized.

For once, John defeated poverty after he graduated as Valedictorian in elementary which followed by his admission to a premier science high school in Makati City where he is currently studying in Grade VIII.

“Hindi lamang po basta pandagdag sa pantustos sa aming pangangailangan sa tahanan at paaralan ang dulot ng Pantawid Pamilya. Tinutupad din nito ang aming mga pangarap na makaranas ng de-kalidad na edukasyon. Higit pa, binibigyan po nito ang mga mahihirap ng oportunidad sa buhay – oportunidad na magkaroon ng ginhawa at maramdam ng kalinga,” he added.

Graduated in San Antonio Village Elementary School in 2014, John also served as the President of their school’s Supreme Pupil Government which for him enhanced his leadership skills that he is now applying in accomplishing group projects.

John’s mother is a helper while his father is an on-call driver. He admits that the income of his parents cannot fully support the needs of his family, thus, Pantawid Pamilya is such a huge help for his study as well as to his other siblings.

Meanwhile in his speech, His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III commends John Ramon for maximizing the assistance of the government as an outstanding student who excels amidst the challenges he encountered.

As of January 5, 2016, there are already 228, 994 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Metro Manila who are being monitored for health and education compliance to conditions set under the program.

Under the Aquino administration in 2014, Pantawid Pamilya was expanded to cover high school students wherein from 0-14 years old children, it is now covering aged 0-18 in consideration to the K-12 program of the Department of Education (DepED).###