Baguio City – “Walang mangyayari sa amin kung hindi ako gagawa ng paraan para kumita (Nothing good will happen to us if I don’t do something to earn),” shared 39-year-old Wilma Duterte, a beneficiary of the conditional cash transfer program or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), for four years now.
Wilma, who was left to care for her four children alone when her husband left her several years ago, believes that being a solo parent is not a hindrance to realize a good future for her children.
As such, she chose to move forward and even found the opportunity to be an inspiration to other solo parents in her community.
Big help
“Hindi madaling magpalaki ng apat na anak lalo na’t mag-isa akong nagtatrabaho. Pero dahil mahal ko sila at ayokong maranasan nila yung mga paghihirap na naranasan ko, nagsusumikap talaga ako para itaguyod sila (It is not easy to bring up four children especially that I am a solo parent. But since I love my children and I do not want them to experience the hardships that I went through, I try my best to raise them singlehandedly),” Wilma shared.
She is unmindful of the hardships she experiences whenever she works just to make ends meet, especially that she does not get regular support from her ex-husband.
She often sells vegetables when suppliers get her to market their products and makes hot pads when she can avail of raw materials.
Being a solo parent is a big challenge for her, owning up the full responsibility of charting the future of her four children.
The Pantawid Pamilya, which came in 2009, provided her the road to change.
The P2,200 cash grant she receives from the program every two months is a big help to Wilma.
With food and house rent to spend on monthly, the cash grants have ensured that she can continuously afford spending on these needs without sacrificing the health and education of her children.
“Dito sa programa, tinuruan kami kung paano tulungan ang mga sarili namin. May mga skills din na itinuro sa amin katulad na lang kung paano magsimula ng negosyo (The program has taught us how to help ourselves. It also taught us skills like how to start our own business),” she said.
Leading other families, too
The Pantawid Pamilya is not just a blessing to Wilma’s family. Being a part of the program has given her the chance to help others as well.
“Dati akong tahimik lang pero naging madaldal ako at palakaibigan dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya. Naging leader nila ako at masaya ako na ginagabayan sila hindi lang sa mga isyu tungkol sa programa pero kahit tungkol na rin sa mga buhay nila. Maraming nakikinig sa akin at nakakatulong ako sa kapwa ko (I used to be introvert but with the program I became assertive and friendly. I also became a leader and mentor to my fellow beneficiaries. I’m glad they listen to me),” she shared.
Whatever she learns from the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS), a gathering of parent- beneficiaries, she makes sure that she shares these with others particularly to the members of the Solo Parents Group in her community.
“Yung mga natutunan ko sa FDS tulad ng pagdidisiplina sa anak at kahalagahan ng pag-iipon ng pera, tinuturo ko rin sa mga members ng Solo Parents Group. Hindi man ako makatulong ng pinansyal sa mga kapwa ko miyembro ng Pantawid Pamilya at Solo Parents Group, masarap sa pakiramdam na naibabahagi ko sa kanila yung mga magagandang aral na natututunan ko (I make it a point to share the lessons I learned from the FDS, like proper disciplining of children and the value of savings, to my fellow solo parents. I feel good that I am able to help in some ways),” Wilma said.
She also initiated change in the community.
As a parent-leader and president of the Solo Parents Group, she made sure every livelihood opportunity is shared among members.
She imparts her knowledge on making hot pads to her members and encourages others to do the same.
In fact, she learned how to weave bags from her members and uses this new skill to earn more for her family.
For Wilma, what she has now is a result not only of her perseverance and desire to have a better future but also the opportunities she was given and the trust she received.
Being part of Pantawid Pamilya and the Solo Parents Group has transformed her into a better provider for her family and a good example to the community. ###
