Ang Ahensya ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Pagpapaunlad ay patuloy na nagsasagawa ng mga matatagumpay na mga kwento na patuloy na ibinabahagi ng mga nagging benepisyaryo sa ilalim ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Kami ay nalulugod na ibahagi sainyo ang ilan sa mga nagging suliranin at tagumpay ng isang pamilya, kung paanosiyanakaahon at nakaalpassapagkakatanikala ng kahirapansapamamagitan ng kanilangpagtitiyaga at tulongna ibinahagi ng Ahensya. Ang maiksing kwentong ito ay mula sa isang naging benepisyaryo na si Elizabeth Briones. Isa siya sa mga aktibong sumusuporta sa bawat gawain at proyekto ng Pantawid Pamilya.

Si Elizabeth ay isang butihing may-bahay ni Diosdado Briones na namamahala sa kanilang tahanan at may mga masunuring mga anak. Sila ay may apat (4) na mga supling na kanilang pinagtutulungang mairaos sa araw-araw upang matulungang matupad ang mga pangarap sa pamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa pag-aaral ng mga ito. Hindi naging madali ang kanilang pamumuhay. Ang kanilang tinitirhan ay kanilang inuupahan lamang at nagtitiis na magsama-sama sa maliit na espasyo.

Si “Liza” ay nangarap at patuloy pang nag susumikap na makaahon sakanilang pinagdadaanang suliranin sa kanilang buhay. Ginamit ni “Liza” ang kanyang kakayanan at natutunan sa pananahi. Ayon sakanya noong siya ay nagsisimula pa lamang sa pananahi, siya ay namimili ng tela sa divisoria at siya ay nakakagawa ng iilang piraso ng punda para sa mga unan. Kapag may nakabuo nang mga punda ito ay ibinebenta sakanilang mga kakilala at sa kapitbahay na siya nagiging paraan nila upang pagkakitaan. Sa hindi inaasahan na pagkakataon ay nagkaroon ng karamdaman ang kanyang asawa at hindi nagging madali ito sa kadahilanang mag isa niyang itinataguyod ang kanilang pamilya. Ang pagsubok na ito ay hindi nagging dahilan para tumigil ang butihing ina sa paghahanapbuhay para sakanyang pamilya.

Hanggang dumating ang araw na nagkaroon ng sariling makinasi Liza. Dito sila kumukuha ng kanilang pang araw-araw na pangangailangan at ito rin ay nagsisilbi niyang libangan at pinagtutuunan ng kaniyang oras at kung minsan ay nagiging katuwang niya ang kanyang asawa. Dahil sakanyang kakayahan ay kahit ang kanyang mga anak ay naturuan niyang manahi. May mga pagkakataon na mayroong paligsahan ang kanyang mga anak at sila mismo ang gumagawa o bumubuo ng kanilang isusuot sa programa.

Sila ngayon ay mayroon ng sariling patahian na hindi lamang nagagamit para sa pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya bagkus ay nakatutulong rin sa iba pang mamamayan na malapit sakanila na dumaranas ng kahirapan upang magkaroon din kahit papaano ng pagkakakitaan at magkaroon din ng sariling hanap-buhay.

May mga panahon na ibinahagi ni Liza kung papaano nila dinanas na kapusin at kulangin sa pera. Nailarawan rin niya na nawalan sila ng kuryente at sa nagkataon rin naman na mayroong umikot sa kanilang lugar nakawani ng ahensya (DSWD) at sapag-aakala na simpleng pagkuha lamang ng detalye o census ang kanilang layunin na ngunit hindi niya alam na ditto magsisimula ang kanyang pag-ahon sa buhay.

Sapag-ikot ng kawani ng ahensya ay nagingdahilan kung bakit siya pinatawag sa barangay para maipagbigay alam na may makukuha siyang tulong pinansyal nagaling sa programa at pinapupunta na siya sa may Commonwealth para pumila na ng maibigay ito. Nagingisang himala ito dahil sa pagkakataon na iyon ay na momoblema at kinakailangan niya ng pera upang may maipambayad sa matrikula ng kanyang anak napanganay.

Sa pagiging miyembro ay may mga dapat silang sundin at isa narito ang pagdalosa FDS naginaganap ng isang beses sa isang buwan. Dahil sa mayroon na siyang pinapasukang trabaho, kung minsan ay hindi siya nakakadalosa FDS sakadahilan ang bawal lumiban sakany ang pinapasukang pabrika. Kung hindi man siya ang makadalo ay nagsusumikap at sinisigurado niya ang kanyang asawa o isa sa mga anak niya ang pupunta para may maging representante sakanilang pamilya.

Malaki ang na itutulong ng pagiging miyembro sa programa dahil sa naibibigay naimpormasyon at mga aral nagaling sa dinadaluhan na FDS (Family Development Session)at ang tulong pinansyal. Ngunit hindi pa rin tumigil si Elizabeth na humanap ng pagkakakitaan. Sa pagkakaroon ng karunungan nagumamit ng makina at kaalaman sa pananahi ay naghanap siya ng trabaho na magagamit niya ang kaniyang talento. Nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na makapagtrabaho sa isang pabrika at naging isang malaking kalamangan dahil sakaniya ng kasanayan sa pananahi. Kaya hindi lamang sila nakadepende sa tulong pinansyal nanatatanggap bagkus gumagawa pa rin ng paraan para may pagkakitaan at may maipandagdagsa pang-araw-araw nagastusin.

Maganda ang naging epekto ng programa sa kaniyang pamilya dahil ayon sakanya ay para rin silang nag-aaral. Bawat buwan ay may iba’tibang tinatalakay halimbawa na lamang patungkol sa kalamidad, pagdidisiplina sa mga anak, tinuruan kung paano ang tamangpaghawak o paggastos sa pera at sakanilang relasyon bilang mag-asawa. Sa mga itinuro sakanila ay ito ay kaniyang isinasabuhay lalo napagdating sakanilang mag-asawa. Kung may nagiging problema o hindi pagkakaintindihan ay kailanganpag-usapan, huwag na matutulog ng may samaan ng loob at huwag maglihim sa isa’tisa.

Sa tuwing may darating natulong pinansyal, iyon ang pansamantalang ipinambibili muna niya ng mga tela nagagamitin sa kaniyang pananahi. Kapag nakabenta nasiya ay ang pinagbentahan na may kasamang tubo ay ipambibiliniya ng pagkain nila ng pamilya, ipinambabayad sa kuryente at tubig, binabayaran sa eskuwelahan at ang mga kinakailangan ng mga bata mapatungkol man sa personal o sa eskuwelahan.

Ang kaniyang pangarap na gusto niyang matupad ay makatapos lahat ng kanyang mga anak at magkaroon ng sariling bahay sa probinsya. Sang ayon ay nakatapos na ang kanyang panganay na anak, nakakapag simula na sa trabaho at nakakatulong nasa knilang pamilya. At dahil sa pagsusumikap at pagtitiyaga ay nakabilinasiya ng lupa ng probinsyasa Bicol at sinisimulan na angpagpapatayo ng kanilang bahay.

Sa ngayon ay may sarili na silang pangkabuhayan, sarili niyang patahian, mayroon na siyang mga trabahador habang tumatagal ang oras at panahon na sila ay patuloy sa pagsusumikap ay nagkaroon na rin sila ng mga tapat na kaagapay at naglilingkod. Ang kanilang mganagagawang product galing sa kanilang pananahi ay kanilang dinadala at ibinebenta sa isa sa malaking bagsakan ng produkto sa maynila.

Ayon kay Ginang Elizabeth ang maipapayo naman sa kapwa benepisyaryo o naging benepisyaryo ay gastusin ng tama ang ibinibigay natulong ng programa. Huwag gumastos ng sobra at huwag gamitin para sa walang katuturan na bagay. Hangga’t kayang mag trabaho ay magsumikap dahil sa hindi lang ang programa ang tutulong sakanila, kundi pati ang sarili nila na siyang naging susi para marating nila ang kanilang pangarap para sa kanilang pamilya.

“Ito na ang libangan namin, hindi na kami tatambay-tambay,”shared by one of the members of Gemini Group. Gemini Group is composed of Pantawid Pamilya partner members that transformed the vacant lot located at Barangay Sta. Lucia, Quezon City into a productive source of fresh produce. This initiative also contributed to the community’s orderliness and cleanliness.

It was agreed that the land will be devoted mainly for planting fruits and vegetables. The produce will not only be used for consumption but also for market needs helping them cut their daily expenses. Seedlings were also provided by the barangay. Moreover, it will address malnutrition among poor families

Cooperation and camaraderie among the members along with the support coming from the barangay officials were vital factors that made this initiative possible.

Gemini is the most active group among the three (3) remaining groups on Barangay Sta. Lucia. They set tasking where all members could actively participate in monitoring and developing of the garden. They consumed and sometimes sell their harvest to the local community members or sell it to the nearest market. They spend their earnings in buying new materials which they could use on their gardening like water containers. They also do contribution whenever they thought that a certain gardening tool is needed.

There are a lot of challenges they encountered before and during their gardening. When asked about the challenges they have encountered, they said, “Madumi, makalat [yung lugar], naging mahirap yung pagliliis namin, yung pagaakyat ng tubig naging mahirap din dahil mataas itong garden, madami din nadisgrasya sa pagpuputol ng puno pero masaya.”

They gladly shared how gardening helps them. According to them, sometimes they no longer buy vegetables and instead harvest to their garden. This serves as leisure activity for them and they got their children involved as well. At present, they have seven (7) edible plants on their garden, they harvest every week and they are also planning to add more edible plants like bitter gourd (Ampalaya) and sponge gourd (Patola). They are hoping to develop their garden and look forward for the participation of other groups in the area.

I  am Shirlyn M. Rostata, a graduate of  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Development Management at Polytechnic University of the Philippines – and I am an ESGPPA Scholar.

The Expanded Scholarship Grant Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program helped me a lot financially. It taught me the value of time, money, and education. It taught me how to make sensible decisions in handling my personal finances in order to achieve my goals in life.

My family’s situation is not a piece of cake; there are a lot of challenges and struggles along the way. Despite of this, I had a happy childhood, my siblings and I had a very humble life growing up but still I had the best. I was born to two beautiful parents,  I am the third child of Tatay Herminio Jr., a welder and  Nanay Leah, a full time housewife. They have healthy ambitions for us and they believe in the power of good education.

The journey did not become easy but my dreams are definitely bigger than my fears. All the memories before, be it good or bad were all part of my journey. All these things adds up to who I am now. We used to live in a squatters area. We literally do not have anything before;

we miss out on family events like brithdays, Christmas and New Year because of monetary worries.

I was able to witness how my parents suffer. I used to ask God, “when will these sufferings end?”  I remember one time when my Tatay worked as a part time construction worker and he accidentally fell from a high scaffolding. Fortunately through God’s grace and continous guidance, he was able to recover the very next day. This situation made me realize two important things in life— first, that God is in control and second, everything happens for a reason.

Our eldest sister keeps on reminding us to make an effort to live normally when in a difficult situation, “Tyaga lang pasasaan ba’t giginhawa din tayo.” She is now a Software Support Engineer in a multi national company. Joan, my other sister currently works at Commission of higher Education (CHED) as a Technical Write. My younger brother on the other hand, is Computer Science student.

I consider the scholarship given to me by Pantawid Pamilya as an answered prayer. It served as an opportunity for me to get to know other students who are undergoing the same situation as mine making me realize that I was not alone in this battle. I consider my professors and co-scholars as my second family especially  to Ma’am Teves my mentor who tirelessly  motivates and guides me. These people will remain in my hearts forever.

I owe ESGPPA a debt of gratitutde for it played an important role in my journey towards success— finishing college strong and with flying colors.  To God be the Glory!

Ms. Rufacita Villegas is a Child Welfare Assistant of Operations Office 1 – Manila District III. She was assigned to handle the areas of Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz, Manila. In January 2018, one of the MCCT-HSF Partner Member, Ms. Lourdes Pablo called her attention regarding the grantee’s grandson school behavior. As per Ms. Villegas’ validation, she found out that the monitored child had been a consistent absentee of the school facility he is monitored at Estban Abada High School in Dimasalang. The school focal shared several recorded complaints regarding the monitored child’s changes in behavior in school and his consistent non-compliance to education.

Taking the extra mile, and considering several factors, Ms. Villegas sought assistance from Ms. Ivana Kyra Maron, Child Psychologist of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The team went to the class adviser and school guidance counselor for possible interventions, the agreement was that the school will accept the child given that the child monitored will have to do home schooling. The teacher and guidance counselor provided the monitored child with modules and requirements to be strictly monitored by the guardian, however, the child’s guardian is his grandmother and has difficulties assisting the child for his school requirements. The Child Welfare Assistant, Ms. Villegas whole heartedly committed herself in ensuring that the child meets the said agreement. Ms. Villegas religiously goes to the monitored child’s house to help him with the home modules provided; she became the tutor and teacher of the child, and even spends her weekend at the child’s place to finish all necessary requirements. After weeks of home schooling, last April 4, 2018, the monitored child was able to become part of the moving-up ceremony of the said school facility. With the help and dedication of Ms. Villegas, the monitored child was able to finish and submit all required school works through home schooling and was able to finish what seemed to be the end of the line for the child.

DSWD-NCR establishes partnership with the City Government of Pasig through a Memorandum of Agreement for the use of the Listahanan 2 Database for the selection of possible beneficiaries for their Social Protection Programs held on April 6, 2018 at the Office of the Mayor, Pasig City Hall.

The City Government of Pasig intends to constitute policies and programs which seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability of their constituents, enhance their social status, promote rights by protecting livelihood and employment of the individuals and households, protect against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improve people’s capacity to manage risk. The signed MOA will help the LGU to access the data which will help in the selection of potential beneficiaries to their planned programs.

“This is a milestone for DSWD NCR and we are grateful to share the data which identify who and where the poor are in the City of Pasig which we know will be used for a good cause and for the benefit of the many. In return, we assure you that the Listahanan 2 Database is “kumpleto, sigurado at totoo”,” proudly expressed by Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson.

Photo shows DSWD-NCR Regional Director Leyson, Honorable Robert C. Eusebio and OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Administration/Data Protection Officer Manuela M. Loza. ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region through the National Household Targeting Unit or Listahanan started the validation of some 6,999 households in Tondo, Manila on April 4, 2018.

The trained validators went to the area to assess the households who are possible beneficiaries of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT).

“We are glad that the community cooperated and responded positively. Rest assured that the data gathered will be kept confidential. We appreciated the assistance provided by the Local Social Welfare and Development Office and the Barangay Officials and Personnel in Tondo to our validators which resulted to a smooth conduct of validation,” Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson expressed.

The UCT validation will run until May 2018 completing the validation in 16 Cities and 1 Municipality.

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. ###

To ensure the successful conduct of the validation of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) in Metro Manila, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) provides and conducts intensive trainings to 210 project-based staff who will facilitate the implementation of the project held on April 3, 2018 at Mandaluyong Training Center.

The objective of the training is to equip the participants with knowledge on UCT and impart values that the staff need in order to successfully carry out the implementation. Further, the training also provides background on Listahanan, an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country so they will appreciate the importance of complete, accurate and correct data that they will gather.

Most importantly, the training serves as venue to improve necessary skills on how they will perform the assigned roles and responsibilities. They are also trained to respond and troubleshoot to possible unexpected circumstances that may arise during the validation.

“We conduct rigorous training to our staff as we would like to ensure that they are competent enough to facilitate the validation. Furthermore, they will not be deployed to their area of residence to ensure objectivity of the project.” Leyson expressed.

In the National Capital Region, the DSWD targets to validate 62,843 households for the updating of their information. ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) presented the total number of households or 62,843 households to be interviewed in sixteen (16) cities and one (1) municipality in National Capital Region during the orientation on the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Program held on April 2, 2018 at DepEd, Manila.

During the activity, Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson shared that validation of 2.6 million poor households will be conducted for the entire country to ensure that the beneficiaries belong to the poorest 1^st to 7^th income deciles as indicated in the law. Furthermore, he emphasized that the Field Office will closely monitor and ensure that identified beneficiaries will receive their grants. UCT Program targets are Pantawid Pamilya household beneficiaries, Social Pensioners and Listahanan 2 households.

Moreover, the participants composed of Planning staff of LGUs and C/MSWDO staff were also oriented on the objectives of the UCT program which include – locating of the identified beneficiaries of the UCT; verifying/updating potential beneficiaries’ information in the database; and recommending final list of beneficiaries for the UCT program.

“The support of the LGUs to this program is highly recognized and we are grateful for the assistance that you provide to the Listahanan Team of the Field Office who is responsible to ensure that the data that will be gathered is accurate, reliable and complete,” Leyson mentioned.

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. ###