Thousands of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the cities of Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Marikina and San Juan participated in the recent conduct of Unity Walk to rally for the institutionalization of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) bill.

With placards and determined heart to fight for the passage of CCT bill, beneficiaries do not mind to wake up early and walk along the streets to raise public awareness on the need to institutionalize the Pantawid Pamilya program.

Julieta Saga, 50 years old is among the beneficiaries, who peacefully rallied during the event and claims that the program truly helps poor families like them, which encourage them to join in this activity.

“Ayos lang ang pag gising ng umaga para makasama dito sa unity walk… ang ipinaglalaban naman namin ay ang programang talagang nakatutulong sa aking pamilya… sana ay maisa-batas na ito,” she said.

Two (2) of her six children aged 13 and 10 years old were the student-beneficiaries of the program which she considered as a huge help for their studies.

Meanwhile, Julieta said that despite the government assistance, she and her husband Juanito, 60 years old and a sidecar driver still continue to work to provide the needs of their family.

“Tinutulungan ko rin ang asawa ko sa pamamagitan ng pagbabalot ng kendi… ang suporta ng pamahalaan ay umaagapay lang naman, kailangan pa ring magbanat ng buto para maibigay ang buong pangangailangan ng pamilya,” Julieta added.

Together with her fellow beneficiaries, Julieta whole-heartedly shouted the chant of “Isabatas ang CCT!” during the activity.

On the same day, hundreds of beneficiaries from Muntinlupa City also conducted a prayer vigil at bayanan covered court for the passage of the bill in partnership with the partner Faith-based Organization in the city.

Beneficiaries plotted their respective venues wherein those from Parañaque and Pasay joined in the unity walk of the beneficiaries from Manila City at the Manila Post Office; those from North Caloocan joined the beneficiaries from Quezon City at QC Memorial Circle; those from Caloocan South, Valenzuela and Malabon joined the beneficiaries from Navotas City at C4 Road, Centennial Park; while beneficiaries from Marikina and San Juan conducted their walk at Marikina freedom park and Pinaglabanan Shrine, respectively.###