Pasig City — Even before the actual family day program started, the Philippine Sports Arena (formerly ULTRA) was roaring with fun as the close to 10,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries who gathered today for the National Family Day and Convergence Caravan expressed their support to the message of Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago Campaign of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The beneficiaries gamely danced to of the Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago Campaign jingle.
During the actual program, the roaring became even louder when DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman asked the beneficiaries the question, “Kaya ba natin ang Pagbabago” to which they shouted ‘Kayang-kayang.”
Sec. Soliman thanked the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who joined the family day saying that this is a big show of support to the program.
“Eto po ay araw ng mga batang pumapasok sa eskuwelahan, sa mga nanay at sa mga tatay na nagsisikap para sa pagbabago (This is a special day for children who go to school and to mothers and fathers who are doing their best to make positive changes in their lives), “ Sec. Soliman said.
DSWD launched the campaign which had the theme “Pamilyang Pilipino para sa Pagbabago: Tumatawid sa Kaunlaran” to recognize the efforts of the beneficiaries to improve their lives.
It highlights the message that with proper support and right opportunities, the poor will be able to improve their own lives.
Sec. Soliman explained, “We want our beneficiaries to be proud of their efforts to surpass the challenges they face. We want them to claim that the improvements in their lives are the fruits of their own hard work, and we from the government just help them.”
“Oftentimes, we only hear of statistics or numbers of beneficiaries from other towns. This gathering put a face to the numbers,” Sec. Soliman added.
Department of Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona also joined the families as they danced and celebrated the family day.
Aside from the family day here, simultaneous gatherings were also held around the country where around 5,000 beneficiaries from each region participated.
Jessel Sanga, 32, of JP Rizal, Mandaluyong said that she attended the event to express her support for the campaign.
“Kaya po ang pagbabago. Tulad ko po, nagtitiyaga talaga akong gumising sa umaga para maihanda ang mga bata sa pagpasok sa eskuwela (We can create positive change in our lives. Like me, I have to be patient to wake up early to prepare the children for school),” Jessel said.
Jessel’s three children are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.
Model families
The highlight of today’s event was the awarding of Huwarang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino to recognize families who are models of diligence and determination in working for an improved quality of life.
The grand winner was the Tanutan Family of Lemery, Iloilo City.
The family represented by the mother, Gemma, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to DSWD.
“Pipilitin ko pong magtagalog para lamang masabi ko ang aming pasasalamat sa DSWDsa magandang pagtanggap nila sa amin (I will try my best to speak in tagalog just to express our gratitude to DSWD for their warm welcome to us),” she said.
She added, “Salamat din po sa Pantawid Pamilya dahil ito ang naging gabay ko sa pagkalinga sa aming mga anak. Nakatapos na po ang aming panganay at patuloy na nag-aaral ang aming tatlo pang anak (I also thank Pantawid Pamilya. It helped us a lot especially in sending our children to school. Our eldest has already graduated while the three continue to attend school), “ she narrated.
“Isa lang po ang mensahe ko, kaya natin ang Pagbabago (I only have one message, we can become instruments of change),” Gemma stressed.
Runners-up were the Victoria Family of Buli, Camarines Sur (1st); Ewican Family of Carmen, Bohol (2nd); Bacaltos Family of Palawan (3rd); and, Ayad Family of Dasmarinas, Cavite (4th).
Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of children 0-18 years old from eligible poor households.
It provides cash grants of as much as P1,400 to qualified households provided they comply with the program conditionalities of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers for check-up, and attending the Family Development Sessions.
As of September 17, there are 4,211,283 registered beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya. ###
