Antonietta Agawa, 39 years old, residing in Caloocan City, testified that the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program does not only contribute in the education and health of their children, but it also keeps them away from child labor. She shared that his son, Jair, used to work in a tiangge despite of his young age to help them financially.

“Pinagsabihan na namin siya na huminto muna sa pagtatrabaho at mag-focus na lang sa pag-aaral pero lagi niyang sinasabi sa amin na gusto niyang makatulong. Minsan hinahayaan ko na lang din kaysa naman magutom kami pare-parehas. Apat kasi silang nag-aaral kaya mahirap mag-budget.” she explained.

In 2013, Jair Agawa was one of the child labor victims who were rescued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

She continued, “Nung nahuli si Jair ng DOLE, mas lalo kaming nagpursige sa buhay. Pinarealize namin sa kanila kung gaano kahalaga ang makatapos ng pag-aaral. Mahirap man, patuloy pa rin kaming lumalaban sa hamon ng buhay.”

She said that with the help of the program and assistance from the DOLE, Jair was able to graduate from high school and currently undergoing call center training in Makati City so he would improve his English proficiency skill. This training will also enable him to have a better job.

“Buti na lang may Pantawid Pamilya. Dahil sa programa, nabibili ko ang mga pangangailangan ng mga anak ko para hindi na sila mapilitang magtrabaho. Sa Family Development Sessions, tinuruan din kami ng mga karapatang pambata at paano maging responsableng magulang.”

“Nagpapasalamat din ako kasi nagkaroon din kami ng pagkakataong makahalubilo ang iba’t ibang personalidad tulad nila congressman, mayor at mga opisyal ng gobyerno. Nagbukas ito ng maraming oportunidad sa aming lahat.” she continued.

Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18 years old. ###