12 family-beneficiaries of 4Ps in Central Visayas win in-house story writing tilt

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- Twelve family-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of some towns and cities in Central Visayas won various awards based on how their lives and family life improved through the interventions of the program and these regional winners will be recognized and awarded during the second edition of the ‘Salaysay ng Buhay ng Pamilyang Pantawid’ in a Virtual Family Day celebration on September 30, 2021 in line with the National Family Week (NFW) celebration.

The virtual activity aims to provide an avenue for the awardees to be recognized, as well as provide a platform for the program to share its accomplishments and success stories.

According to Leah Quintana, regional information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7)-Regional Field Office VII that these families recounted their stories of how the 4Ps uplifted their well-being and these were illustrated and written on their respective family posters.

Quintana said that in this year’s contest, the stories are presented in three points of view (POV): 1) Kwento ni Tatay (perspective of the father); 2) Salaysay ni Inay (perspective of the mother); and 3) Sa Mata ng Batang 4Ps (perspective of a former or present child-beneficiary).

For Kwento ni Tatay, the Ageas Family of Ginatilan town in Cebu emerged as the winner. The Baluca Family of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental; the Hingpit Family of Batuan, Bohol and the Maghanoy Family of Siquijor placed second, third, and fourth respectively.

“Pinaagi sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program nakahatag kini sa amo og paglaom. Ang ngitngit ug dulom nga dalan nga among giagian, nihayag pag-abot sa programa,” Eddie Ageas bared.  (The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program gives us hope. The dark path that we tread brightened because of the program.)

In Barangay Cambagte, Ginatilan, Cebu. Eddie does farm and extra job as a motorcycle driver to raise his family.  Now, two of his elder children finished college while the third and fourth children are still in college and the remaining monitored child is still in grade two, Quintana revealed.

Under Salaysay ni Inay, the story of the Servidor Family of Tuburan town in Cebu was adjudged the regional winner.  The story of the Gabas Family of Bais City, Negros Oriental, the Vidal Family of Siquijor, and the Omac Family of Batuan, Bohol were runners-up.

“Tungod sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, inubanan sa pagpaningkamot ug pagtuo sa Ginoo, nakab-ot namo ang among mga pangandoy,” Francisca Servidor said.  (Because of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, accompanied by perseverance and faith in God, we were able to achieve our dreams.)

Francisca courageously raised her four children after her husband died. She overcame her grief and found the brighter side of life as she became an active community member in Barangay Sto. Niño, Tuburan, Cebu and by participating in other DSWD programs like Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Kalahi-CIDSS.

The Sendiong Family of Dauin, Negros Oriental ranked first in the “Sa Mata ng Batang 4Ps” while the Las Piñas Family of Talibon, Bohol, Fariola Family of Madridejos, Cebu and Laure family of Maria, Siquijor ranked second, third, and fourth, respectively.

“Lisud gyud ang kinabuhi namo sa una labi na pagtungtong nako sa High School. Naay panahon nga maulahi ko submit sa mga school project tungod kay mangutang pami aron makapalit mga materials. Mao nga nalipay kami nga naapil sa 4Ps kay nakatabang kini sa among pag-eskwela pinaagi sa cash grant nga among madawat,” Niña Mae Sendiong bared.(Our life was difficult, especially when I started studying High School. There were times I submit my school project late because we had to borrow money just to buy the materials. We were glad that we become part of 4Ps because the cash grant we received helped us in our education.)

When Niña Mae reached college, she became an Expanded Student's Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) student-beneficiary that provided her the opportunity to pursue her college education.  She is currently a teacher in Dauin National High School in Negros Oriental.

Aside from the ‘Salaysay ng Buhay ng Pamilyang Pantawid,’ active 4Ps family-beneficiaries in their community were recognized through the ‘Kaagapay ng Pamayanan.’

The Balasabas Family of Manjuyod, Negros Oriental was proclaimed the regional winner along with the Punay Family of Daanbantayan, Cebu, Datoy Family of Alburquerque, Bohol and Paglinawan Family of Lazi, Siquijor as the runners-up.

One notable deed the Balasabas Family undertook was the creation of a livelihood project with their co-beneficiaries in their barangay.   Raian and Jerelyn Balasabas led the 4Ps beneficiaries in putting up their merchandising store for the entire 4Ps beneficiaries in Barangay Sac-Sac, Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, Quintana bared.

Meanwhile, the Fariola Family was adjudged as Best in Poster Design. All regional winners and finalist will receive a cash incentive and a certificate of recognition.

The cash prizes are given to the winners by next month and these will be distributed by the DSWD-7 field staff as all face-to-face events such as the awarding ceremonies are not allowed yet due to the pandemic

For the National Awarding Ceremony, it will be held during the National Family Day on September 30, 2021 in a virtual event.

All 12 provincial winners will receive P3,000 while the top three regional winners for the Salaysay categories will receive an additional P5,000.

For the Kaagapay ng Pamayanan, the runners-up will receive P3,000 and the grand winner – the Balasabas Family of Manjuyod, Negros Oriental will receive P6,000 and a special award for Best in Poster Design won by the Fariola Family of Madridejos, Cebu will receive an additional P1,000. (Photos: DSWD7)