“Mahalaga ang pag-aksyon ngayon kaysa magsisi kung kailan huli na ang lahat. Hindi ang iba kundi ang sarili natin mismo ang tutupad sa ating mga pangarap (It is important to act now than to have regrets later. We are the only ones who can make our dreams a reality)”, Kenneth Gudoy confidently shared.
It was midnight of 2 November 2017 when Kenneth officially joined the world of accountancy upon seeing his name on the list of successful board takers from the Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
Embarking on a new journey
This was the start of his quest for a better life for his family that he prayed and longed for.
“Ang pagtatapos ko sa pag-aaral ay ang unang hakbang sa aking pagbibigay pasalamat sa ating pamahalaan sa mga tulong na naibigay sa aming pamilya (Graduating is my first step to extend my gratitude to the government for the assistance given to our family),” Kenneth said.
He was one of the grantees of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA).
The ESGPPA is implemented by the Commission on Higher Education together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
In 2012, SGPPA was launched covering 4,000 students. This was later on expanded to cover additional 36,000 students in 2014.
The program provides opportunities to 4Ps households who have children who are determined to pursue a college education and are qualified for the scholarship.
Reaching the desired destination
Kenneth said, “Determinasyon ang lagi kong sandata para ipaglaban ang mga pangarap ko dahil buhay ng aking pamilya ang nakasalalay (Determination is my constant weapon to achieve my dreams because my family’s fate is at stake).” That is why he basked in the glory of graduating a cum laude.
On being a grantee he said, “Nagbago ang pananaw ko sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon mula noong tinanggap ko ang responsibilidad bilang isang iskolar ng bayan,” (My views on education changed when I accepted the responsibility of being a government scholar).
He believes that education is the most valuable treasure he can inherit from his parents. His father died due to chronic disease while his mother Remedios, single-handedly raised him and his four siblings. Education for him is a key that will open many doors of opportunity. He chose to enter the door that opened before him as a tax associate in a private company four months ago.
Living the dream
Kenneth is challenged by the saying that goes, “Hindi kasalanan ang ipinananganak kang mahirap pero kasalanan mo kung mamamatay kang mahirap (To be born poor is not a sin, but to die poor is).”
He sees his productive years to be a fulfilled life together with his family.
Looking back at the hardships of his single mother, Kenneth made a promise to himself. He will be the best accountant that he can be. He also wants to build a new house for his family.
Now is the right time to move. “Alam ko na sa pagiging matiyaga, masipag, at lakipan mo pa ng tulong mula sa Panginoong Diyos, pasasaan at maisasakatuparan ko rin ito (I know that by being patient, hardworking, coupled with the aid of the Almighty, these will all come to reality).”
4Ps
The 4Ps or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is a program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 18 and below. It is implemented by the DSWD together with other government agencies to include the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DoH).
It provides cash grants to compliant household beneficiaries with health grant worth P500 and educational grants worth P300 and P500.00 each to the children studying in elementary and high school, respectively.
As of 30 March 2018, there are 4.39 million households enrolled in the program. ###
