From being selected as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2012 to bagging the recognition as the Provincial Winner of the 2024 Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, the Laylo family from Hermosa, Bataan shared their journey towards self-sufficiency in the fourth episode of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) online documentary.

Paulino and Corazon Laylo, parents to seven children, are no strangers to hardship. Corazon vividly recalled the early days, when life was a daily struggle to make ends meet.

“Talagang ang hirap ng buhay nung una…ang ginagawa ko, nakikitinda talaga ako, aangkat ako ng gulay, ibebenta ko…magbabahay-bahay kami, maglalako kami. Inaabot kami ng ala-una walang kain,” Corazon shared their struggle to make ends meet.

With their hard work and a strong desire to provide a better future for their children, the Laylo family persevered through those challenging times.

“Nung nasa bundok kami, nalilipasan din ng oras yung kain dahil wala talaga, tinitipid. Nakukuha naman ng mga anak ko, naiintindihan nila, pag mayroon naman eh di babawi na lang,” Paulino recalled.

Despite their limited resources, they never lost hope. In 2012, their circumstances began to change when they became beneficiaries of the 4Ps program.

Through the national anti-poverty program, the Laylo family received the much-needed financial support, helping them to cover the education and health needs of their children. The cash grants proved crucial, as all of their children consistently performed well in school, earning honors and participating in various community and school activities.

In fact, their son Carl Lorenz is now an enlisted man of the Philippine Navy and is currently stationed in the West Philippine Sea—a testament to the values instilled in him by his parents and the opportunities provided by the program.

But the 4Ps program did more than just provide financial support. According to Corazan, it helped their family cultivate a deeper sense of responsibility and perseverance through their attendance at the family development sessions (FDS), one of the conditions among 4Ps members.

“Dahil sa naitulong at sa naitanim sa amin sa mga family development sessions, natutunan namin at naisabuhay namin na tumulong din sa iba,” Corazon narrated.

In addition to the support from the 4Ps, the Laylo family also received assistance from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“Yung SLP na yun na Php15,000 grant, kinausap ko yung pamilya ko. Sinabi ko gagamitin daw ito sa negosyo. Kaya ba natin kung tutulungan ninyo ako, susuportahan ninyo ako? Sumagot sila na kaya namin. Sa pagtutulung-tulong namin na yun, ginawa naming puhunan sa kakanin. Ipinamili namin yun lahat ng kailangan ko sa kakanin, suman, sapin-sapin, puto, kutsinta. Talagang pinagyaman namin,” Corazon said.

The Laylos not only sustained their business but also grew it into a steady source of income that continues to support their family.

In addition to the business, the Laylo family helps in managing a small farm, growing crops such as mangoes, black plums, and calamansi, while also raising pigs.

When asked about receiving an award for their family’s perseverance, Corazon said that they did not expect to win an award.

“Hindi po ako makapaniwala, sobra po. Sabi ko, bakit kami? Anong mayroon sa aming pamilya? Bakit kami yung napili? Kami yung naging huwarang pamilya? Sabi ko napakalaking sa aming pamilya na kami yung mapili,” exclaimed Corazon.

As the Laylo family approaches their graduation from the 4Ps program next year, they look forward to a future of continued growth and success.

“Sa DSWD, sa programang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, talagang hinding-hindi namin malilimutan kahit na kami ay matanggal na o maka-graduate,” Corazon mused.

Launched in 2008 and institutionalized by Republic Act No. 11310 in 2019, the 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven years to improve their children’s health, nutrition and education.

Each household beneficiary receives Php750 per month for health; Php300 per child in elementary, Php500 per child in junior high school, and Php700 per child in senior high school for education, with a maximum of three children per household for 10 months in a school year; and a monthly rice subsidy of Php600 for active and compliant households.

The Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) features success stories of DSWD beneficiaries. It is hosted by Traditional Media Service (TMS) Director Aldrine Fermin and posted every Tuesday in the DSWD’s official Facebook page. #