DAVAO CITY (DSWD XI) - Prior
to Pantawid Pamilya, Tarciano Sarino, 49, of Barangay Tigatto, Davao City
worked as a gaspangero, a laborer who collects sand from the river and
transports it by banca. Tarciano had also tried diving for coins to augment
their daily income.
“Lisod gyud ang among
adlaw-adlaw nga kahimtang (Every day is a struggle),” he said. “Kinahanglan ko
mangita og pamaagi aron naay mabutang nga pagkaon sa among lamesa kada adlaw (I
had to find ways to put food on the table day after day).”
In 2011, the Sarino Family
became one of the family beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Pag-abot sa Pantawid
Pamilya, nag-desisyon mi’ng magtiayon nga mag-backyard gardening. Gitamnan namo
og mais, mani, talong, kapayas, watermelon, pepino, okra ug monggo ang gamayng
yuta nga gibilin sa amoang ginikanan (When Pantawid Pamilya came, we decided to
start backyard gardening. Using the small lot our parents left us, we planted
corn, peanuts, eggplants, papayas, watermelons, cucumbers, gumbo (okra) and
mung beans),” shared Tarciano’s wife Ma. Lorena, 41.
The cash grants they receive
from the program are allocated solely for the school needs of their three
children -Jenny-Ssel, 17, second year BS Education (English Major) at the University
of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) and SGPPA scholar; Marjun, 12, Grade 7 and
class valedictorian; and 8-year old Kimberly, Grade 4 and constantly tops her
class.
On weekends, their children
help out in cultivating their garden. Their humble backyard garden grew
gradually that they are now able to sell fresh produce to some known local
companies who advocate organic farming. They sell their produce for up to P 45
pesos per kilo.
“Dako gyud kaayo og gitabang
ang Pantawid Pamilya ilabi na kadtong pagsugod sa El Nino. Ang programa mao ang
nag-amuma sa amoa sa panahon nga hinay ang among kita sa pagpananom (The
program has greatly helped especially during the onset of El Nino. It was the
program that aided us during the lean months),” said Ma. Lorena.
“Maglagot gyud ko nga naay
moingon nga dole out ang Pantawid kay kung buot huna-hunaon dako gyud kaayo og
gikatabang ang programa sa amoa nga nanginahanglan. (I am angered when people
say that Pantawid is dole out because in reality, the program has significantly
helped those in need).”
The Sarino Family is one of
the 306 families in Barangay Tigatto whose lives have gradually changed for the
better.
“Wala gyud mi nakalampos og
high school sa akoang bana busa malipayon mi nga naa ang programa nga motuman
ana nga pangandoy para sa amoang mga anak (My husband and I did not finish high
school hence we are happy that Pantawid is here to fulfill our dreams for our
children),” Ma. Lorena gratefully admitted.
At present, Pantawid Pamilya
is helping 234,556 families in 43 municipalities, 6 cities covering all 5
provinces, in keeping their children healthy and in school. The program also
has 29,884 IP beneficiaries in Davao Region under the Modified Conditional Cash
Transfer for Indigenous Peoples (MCCT-IP). (DSWD)
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