Their eyes beamed with happiness. Sweet smiles drew on their lips. Everyone exuded a ray of fondness and contentment. Some shakes hands. Some taps shoulders. Some exchanges sweet gestures. They might have disabilities, but now they felt complete and all of these were the positive outcomes of their memorable experiences during the recent Summer Camp 2016 held at the National Vocation Rehabilitation Center (NVRC), Quezon City.

“Sa food hunt at pagtatayo ng tent, natuto kaming magkaisa, na dapat walang iwanan, na bawat isa sa amin ay may mahalaga upang matapos ang binigay na challenge (In hunting of food and pitching of tent, we learned to be united, that no one shall be left out, that everyone in the team is important to finish the challenge given to us)”, Mr. Nerwil Pacao, an orthopedically impaired trainee shared.

He added, “Kailangan din ang sakripisyo upang maabot ang isang pangarap katulad sa ginawa namin sa Faith Walk, kung saan maraming ulit akong nadap. Nahirapan ako pero ang sarap sa pakiramdam nang nakita ko na ang Bibliya na pinapahanap sa amin (There is also a need to sacrifice to reach a dream just like in our activity called Faith Walk, wherein I had fallen many times. It was a struggle but eventualy became a relief when I found the Bible that we have to find,”

Another trainee, Mr. Fernito Dacutanan, a visually-impaired person also emphasized that importance of one’s ability and determination. He enthused, “Nasukat ang aming kakayanan at pagpupursige sa lahat ng challenges na kailangan naming lagpasan (It measures our abilities and perseverance to all challenges that we have to endure.”

Overall, the trainees learned the value of responsibility, cooperation, problem-solving and decision-making. They also accepted their weaknesses and realized that they need one another to achieve certain goals and vision.

Ms. Edna J. Sacedor, Center Head, said, “Summer camp is one of the important rehabilitation activities of PWD trainees every year where we provide them a controlled and safe environment to enable them to make their own decisions about things that affect their daily lives.  It’s a great venue for them to interact with each other at the same time learn about themselves and others around a camp fire and other enabling activities.”

Through enabling activities, the PWD trainees are given opportunity to practice being the best they can be and a chance to create happy memories and self-expression.   PWD trainees also learn from a full range of emotions and human experiences including sickness, friendship, disagreements, team work, frustrations, jubilant success and more.  “As workers of NVRC, our hopes and jobs are to ready our trainees to be productive, independent and capable individuals even without us”, Sacedor explained.###

Bata pa lamang ay hindi ko na pinangarap na makatuntong ng kolehiyo. Tinanggap ko na hindi kayang suportahan ng aking ama ang aming pag-aaral mula sa maliit na kinikita nito sa pagbobote. Ang tanging hangad ko lang noon ay makatapos ng high school at makakuha ng kahit na anong trabaho basta kumikita ng pera.

Namasukan ako sa iba’t ibang establisyemento at kompanya. Naging construction worker, pump boy sa isang gasolinahan at naglinis ng mga malalaking sasakyan at trak. Marami akong sidelines para makatulong sa aking mga magulang at siyam pang mga kapatid.

Nakuntento na ako sa paglilinis ng trak hanggang sa naging miyembro kami ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at natanggap akong scholar ng Expanded Students Grant-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Commission on Higher Education (CHED), katuwang ang Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine State Universities and Colleges (PASUC).

Akala ko dati ay habang-buhay akong hahawak ng maduming basahan. Akala ko na hanggang doon na lang ang misyon ko sa mundo pero mali ako, mayroon palang gobyerno na handang magmalasakit at tumulong sa mga mahihirap na katulad ko upang maiangat ang pamumuhay.

Kaya naman kinuha ko ang oportunidad na makapagpatuloy ng kolehiyo. Nag-aral ako ng Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Values Formation sa Philippine Normal University. Bilang iskolar ng ESGP-PA, nagpursige akong makakuha ng matataas na marka para hindi matanggal sa programa. Nagsumikap ako hindi lang para sa aking sarili kung hindi para sa aking pamilya na nagtitiwala sa aking kakayahan.

Kung walang Pantawid at ESGP-PA, siguro kasama ako ng mga kabataang nangungulo sa kalye at lulong sa droga. Marahil naligaw na ako ng landas. Sobrang laki talaga ng pasasalamat ko sa programa dahil binago nito ang aking buhay. Higit sa lahat, binigyan ako nito ng pagkakataong mangarap.

Matapos ang apat na taon, may diploma na akong iuuwi sa aking mga magulang. Hindi na rin basahang panlinis ang hawak ko, kundi ang panibagong pag-asa ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Handa na akong harapin ang bukas na may ngiti at positibong pananaw. Ako ay patuloy pa ring mangangarap at maniniwala na maaabot ko ang mga ito.

Ang ESGP-PA ay programa ng pamahalaan na pinangungunahan ng DSWD at Commission on Higher Education (CHED) para matulungang makapagtapos ng kolehiyo ang ilang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Sa ilalim nito, maaaring nakakatanggap ng education assistance ang mga benepisyaryo para matustusan ang pangangailangan sa kanilang pag-aaral tulad ng tuition fee, school supplies, pagkain, uniforms, renta sa dormitoryo at iba pang gastusin.###

Previously living in darkness as they cannot afford to have electricity, Jomalyn de Jesus with her family formerly depend on the light from a gasoline lamp at night, which she considered as a nightmare that she badly wanted to escape from.

“Natitiyaga kaming mabuhay sa dilim kasi wala naman kaming pambayad sa ilaw. Yung perang nakukuha ni Papa bilang electrician minsan kulang pa para sa pagkain namin araw-araw. Napaka-ironic lang na ‘yung tatay mo nag-aayos ng kuryente pero kayo mismo wala noon. Mahirap mag-aral at gumawa ng assignment lalo na sa gabi. Madalas, nararanasan din naming pagsaraduhan ng bintana o matusok ng stick kapag sumisilip kami sa dingding ng kapitbahay para makinood ng T.V.” Jomalyn recalled.

At the age of 15, she prioritized to work hard for her family. She engaged herself to different jobs such as working as a vendor, housemaid, factory worker and dish washer in a cafeteria. As a breadwinner, she thought that she could not go to college because she has responsibility to financially support her family.

“Ayaw ko po talaga mag-aral ng kolehiyo noon kasi alam ko naman na hindi ako kayang patapusin ng mga magulang ko. Pero nang maging benepisyaryo kami ng Pantawid Pamilya, naging magaan ang pamumuhay namin,” she added.

In 2012, she was included as one of the grantees of the Expanded Students’ Grants-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) and took up Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Physical Education at the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

ESGP-PA is a program being implemented by DSWD and CHED in partnership with state universities and colleges that provides educational assistance to some beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya program who are in college.

Under the program, a student-grantee receives a maximum of P60,000 per school year to cover tuition fees, school supplies, food, clothing, lodging and other school related expenses.

“Ipinaliwanag sa akin nila Mama kung gaano kahalaga na makapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral. Isipin ko daw na mas makakakuha ako ng magandang trabaho kapag nakapagkolehiyo ako. Sila yung naging inspirasyon ko kaya ako nagsumikap. Nilabanan ko yung lungkot kasi kinailangan kong mag-stay sa dorm para makapagpokus sa pag-aaral ko. Kung kaya ng iba, kaya ko rin!” Jomalyn narrated.

Jomalyn is among the 57 ESGP-PA grantees in the National Capital Region who graduated this school year 2015-2016. Now, their home is filled with brighter smiles and hopes that sooner they will be able to make their dreams a reality – a brighter future more than a shaft of light from a gasoline lamp. ### (FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office)

“Noon, laging nagsusugal at umiinom ng alak ang asawa ko. Lagi kaming nag-aaway kasi madalas siyang umuuwi ng lasing. Minsan nasasaktan din niya kami kapag natatalo siya sa sugal na Pusoy Dos.” pagbabahagi ni Maricel Otara, 38 years old mula sa Area B, Gate 8, Parola, Tondo Manila.

Ayon kay Maricel, hindi sila magkasundo ng asawa niyang si Felix dahil sa bisyo nito. Kahit anong pagpapaliwanag niya ay hindi ito nakikinig sa kanya. Halos mawalan na siya ng pag-asa na magbabago ito. Sa kabutihang palad, unti-unting nawala ang bisyo ng kanyang asawa nang maging benepisyaryo sila ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

“Sa buwanang Family Development Sessions (FDS), tinuturuan kami ng iba’t ibang bagay tulad ng paano maging isang mabuting magulang, paano palakihin ng maayos ang aming mga anak at marami pang iba.Pagkatapos kong umattend ng meeting, sini-share ko sa asawa ko ang mga natutunan ko sa FDS.”

Kinalaunan, napili si Maricel maging Parent Leader ng kanyang grupo. Katuwang siya ng DSWD na i-monitor ang pagsunod ng kanyang mga miyembro sa mga kondisyon ng programa.

“Bilang isang Parent Leader (PL), dapat maging huwaran ako sa aking mga miyembro. Nais kong maging inspirasyon sa iba, at sinimulan ko iyon sa aking pamilya. Lagi kong kinakausap ang aking asawa ang masamang dulot ng pagsusugal at pag-iinom. Sinabi ko sa kanya na maaari kaming matanggal sa programa kapag nahuli siya ng aming City Link.”

“Awa ng Diyos, paunti-unti ay napigilan ng asawa ko ang kanyang bisyo. Alam ng asawa ko ang malaking tulong ng Pantawid sa aming pamilya lalo na sa pag-aaral ng aming mga anak kaya nagdesisyon siyang huminto sa kanyang bisyo. Sobrang saya ko talaga ng mapaglabanan niya ang pagsusugal at pag-iinom. Dahil din dito, hindi na rin kami madalas mag-away at tinututukan naming mabuti ang pagpapalaki sa aming mga anak.”

Namamasukan si Maricel bilang Parent Aide sa Pedro Guevarra Elementary School at ang kanyang asawa ay kumikita sa pamamagitan ng pagbabalat ng bawang. Magkatuwang silang nagsusumikap para makapagtapos ang kanilang mga anak sap ag-aaral.

Sa kasalukuyan, nag-aaral ang kanilang limang anak na sina   Felix Voltaire, 15, Grade 1; Felix Vicot. 13, Grade 8; Jualian Marie, 12, Grade 6; Felix Vortex, 9, Grade 3 at Felix Vigor, 6, Grade 1.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa Pantawid Pamilya, kasi naging daan iyon para magbago ang asawa ko at huminto na sa kanyang bisyo. Hindi lang nito tinutulungan ang aming mga anak na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, tinuturuan din kami nito para  maging isang mabuting ina at ama.Ipapagpapatuloy naming ang mga pagbabagong ito sa aming buhay.”### (FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office)

Trainees of the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center, a center-based facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development that accommodates Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and special groups, won three gold, three silver and one bronze medals in the successfully concluded Philippine Paralympic National Games held in Marikina Sports Complex on March 28 to April 1, 2016.

Augusto Hernandez, wheelchair user, got gold medal in the Discus Throw while Romeo Tayama and Christine Potot also topped in 125 kg and 40 kg respectively in Powerlifting. On the other hand, Christian R. Casipit with an intellectual disability bagged silver medal in Ten Pin Bowling category.

In addition, Carlo John Nuyda, a trainee with left leg amputee brought pride to the center when he garnered two (2) silver medals for Shot Put and Long Jump. He also placed 2^nd to Andy Avellana – our National Athlete and representative for RIO Paralympic 2017 in BRAZIL. Meanwhile, Marlon Merencillo got bronze medal for the team in the single standing Table Tennis.

Ms. Edna Sacedor, Center Head of NVRC, was very happy on the achievements received by their clients. She said that they will continue to support them through developmental programs and services aimed at developing their physical, self and psycho-social functioning and economic productivity.

She also shared that one of their staff, Alex Teves, will still be part of the Philippine Wheelchair Basketball Mens National Team in Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament in Dubai on April 22, 2016.

The PPNG is being conducted every year through the administration of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled-National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (PHILSPADA-NPC Philippines). The event aims to discover national athlete that can compete in the ASEAN Sports competition in 2017 to be held in Malaysia. (FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) led the conduct of planning workshop to develop a 5-Year Regional Protection Plan for the Sub-Committee on Social Protection and to maintain its functionality as a policy making body under the Regional Development Council – Social Development Committee held on March 28-30, 2016 at Timberland Heights, San Mateo, Rizal.

“We are doing this to improve the quality of life of the poor, vulnerable, disadvantage sector of the society through better delivery of social protection programs and services.” DSWD-NCR Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson said.

During the activity, the status of the Philippine Development Plan of Aquino’s Administration and the result of the Millennium Development Goals were shared. There were also discussion on the Sustainable Development Goals and our commitment on achieving it.

Through this, the committee identified the gaps in the implementation of various social protection programs and services along with four components of Social Protection, threshed out issues and concerns and recommended policies as well as strategies relative to the delivery of social protection program and services in Metro Manila.

The Regional Development Council – Sub-Committee on Social Development – Sub-Committee of Social Protection in the National Capital Region (RDC-SCSD-SCSP) aims to ensure that all social protection programs, projects and activities of the national government agencies of NCR are supported by the Regional Development Council. ### (FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office)

“Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yung nakapagpaanak ako ng baby sa tricycle… wala na kaming choice noong oras na ‘yun kaya talagang sinalo ko ang bata… salamat sa Diyos at malusog siya hanggang sa paglaki niya ngayon,” (I will never forget the time that I facilitated a delivery of a baby in a tricycle… we had no choice at that time thus I determinately catch the baby… thank God that he is healthy until he grew up now), shared by Amalia Alcantara, 36 years old from Quezon City.

As a Pantawid Pamilya Parent Leader in their community since 2012, Amalia never thought that she will engage herself in such public service in order to help her fellow beneficiaries of the program.

“Lagi na akong kasama ng mga kapwa ko beneficiary tuwing may emergency sila sa akin sila nagpapatulong… ako naman, masarap sa pakiramdam ko ang makatulong… dati ay taong bahay lang ako pero ngayon may silbi na ako sa komunidad namin,”(I’m always with my fellow beneficiaries since whenever they are in emergency situations, they are always asking for my help… for me, it feels good to help… before, I’m just always at home and now, I have my worth in our community) she added.

Together with the income of his husband Orlando, 40 years old and a tricycle driver, Amalia recognizes that the cash grants from Pantawid Pamilya program significantly helps in the studies of her children.

‘Yung nangyari sa akin na hindi ako nakatapos ng pag-aaral, ayaw ko yung iparanas sa mga anak ko. Kaya’t malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa tulong ng Pantawid Pamilya ay maayos na nakakapasok sa paaralan ang aking mga anak,”(What happened to me that I did not finish my study, I don’t want my children to experience the same thing. That is why I’m very grateful that because of the help of Pantawid Pamilya, my children are now religiously going to school) Amanda emphasized.

Also, because of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) she has attended, Amanda proudly shared that she is now equipped with knowledges on women’s and children’s rights together with other learnings on how to properly manage a family.

Alcantara family is among the 230, 273 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Metro Manila as of March 3, 2016 who are receiving their respective cash grants based on their compliance to the set conditionalities under the program. ###

Some 125 clients of Elsie Gaches Village (EGV), a residential care facility that serves mentally challenged persons with underlying medical problems, celebrated their achievement and success during their Recognition Day at Jose Fabella Memorial School (JFMS) as the Batch 2016 graduates of Special Education, held on March 21, 2016 at Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

With the theme “Kabataang Mula sa K to 12, Tagapagdala ng Kaunlaran sa Bansang Pilipinas”, the residents proudly walked on the stage, get their certificates and awards in front of their teachers, parents, friends and staff of EGV.

Ms. Olivia L. Pagurayan, JFMS Special Education Principal II expressed, “We are very happy for all of your achievements despite of your disabilities. Your successes are ours too, so continue to dream and we are here to support you.”

 Meanwhile, 28 students received certificates and graduated from SPED pre-vocational courses which marked the beginning of their journey for more opportunities to be productive in the center and in the society. Teachers were also recognized as they have rendered their invaluable service and shared their knowledge to the students.

The residents thanked the management and staff of Elsie Gaches Village, which is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), for giving them an opportunity to discover their talents and enhanced their knowledge and skills. ### (FO-NCR, Social Marketing Office)