Blog #3: DSWD7 honors organizations, individuals for success stories in transcending poverty

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

Four 4Ps women grantees recognized for great changes in their lives

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of DSWD has broken the cycle of poverty in the Philippines and it has empowered many sectors, including women, of how the program changed their lives and their families to cross the poverty line.

Among the honorees were women, one from each province of Central Visayas namely; Marissa Garay from Jagna, Bohol, the Winner of the National Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in 2016.

Marissa bared that the DSWD program on gender-based violence has impacted her life and has taught her more about women’s rights and responsibilities not only within the family but also in the community.  She championed the importance of women’s rights not only home but in the community as well.  Marissa and her family waived out of the 4Ps program in 2021 having progressed from the survival stage to the self-sufficiency stage.

Marilyn Basallo from Daanbantayan, Cebu was recognized for her resilience and active community development worker having survived super typhoon Yolanda as she raised her three children as a single mom.

Marilyn acknowledged and grateful of various government and NGOs support to women like her, thus giving back to community service was her utmost gratitude and now she continues to share and assist women in her community to gain skills and knowledge to enable them to be self-sufficient and resilience in facing all the challenges in life.

Mechelle Lontayao from Siquijor, Siquijor was honored for her strong and active promotion and support of DSWD’s 4Ps for children’s education and the Family Development Sessions (FDS) which she applauded that gave her the ability to understand more about the lessons and realities of life and do more for the community.

Mechelle said that FDS, as one of the conditions of the 4Ps program, greatly improved herself, her family, and their community as they became confident in facing the challenges that may come.  The many lessons and inspirations she received from their FDS sessions led Mechelle to become one of their community's child development workers.

She said that the greatest lesson she learned from the program is to stay positive in life and to remain united by lifting each other and help them cope with their financial, mental, and emotional struggles in building a stable family and home.

Roselette Gedorio from Mabinay, Negros Oriental, a 4Ps partner beneficiary from the Ata Indigenous cultural community in Mabinay, Negros Oriental, also shared how the program transformed her holistically. 

Apart from the financial assistance we received from Pantawid Pamilya, it also improved her attitude and knowledge emphasizing the best part she had in the program was learning the different values in life.  From 4Ps, she learned how to be an effective community leader.

From being a simple housewife who hid in the house doing chores, Roselette now served as one of the active leaders in their place and was elected as a barangay councilor.  She led organizations in the community, such as Canggohob Negrosanon Ata Development Association Organization (CANGNEADA) and Couples for Christ (CF).

Attending seminars was a big help. It made her realize that it is important to be open-minded and to listen to the youth and to the community, Roselete said.

 

The recognitions, honors and awards the DSWD gave to its stakeholders and partners are a celebration of their hard work and commitment to carry on the various works, programs and advocacies of the agency to the communities with the goal of a better Filipino communities. (Photos: DSWD7)