Training people to fish rather than giving them fishes to eat is a living proverb for the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Babatnin, City of Malolos Bulacan.

The beneficiaries from the said barangay were given the opportunity to receive cash grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of DSWD. Not relying on the cash grant receiving from the Pantawid Pamilya, they have started their little business and livelihood which played a great role with regards to uplifting their living condition. Moreover, as part of their empowerment, they were able to learn how to manage small venture to sustain their daily needs.

Based on the testimony of Ma. Corazon Altamirano, recipient of Pantawid Pamilya and SLP, she was able to support the daily needs of her family especially the school allowances of her grandchildren. In addition, the holistic approach of the program blanketed the household. Indeed before, she was very much focused on her vices, and now she is focused on the store—thinking how to enhance her small sari-sari store in order to meet ends.

Most of the beneficiaries started their livelihood by buying their own motorboats since before they need to rent a boat in order to go fishing. Almost 50% of their income goes to motorboat rental, but because of the livelihood assistance from the government, they were able to produce their own bangka. In addition, they were able to attain the 100% income that really helps in prioritizing their needs. According to Ma. Theresa Santos, her husband focused on fishing though it was not a regular work. Though, they said that they could go on fishing anytime they want with the help of her son without thinking of the motorboat rental. Currently, growing their income is the goal of the said beneficiaries, to continuously uplift their living condition.

At present, their small ventures are progressively and religiously paying their monthly contribution to the said program. Moreover, they were able to regularly deposit in their savings.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program invests on the human capital focusing on the education and health of the household members aged 0-14. Much like, Sustainable Livelihood Program invests on giving small capital progressing and uplifting the lives of the Pantawid beneficiaries. Thus, social services given to the beneficiaries really had positive effects in improving their own family. Financially, they were able to meet their daily needs especially the school allowances of their children. Economically, they learned to save and think of the future. Likewise, they learned to mingle with other kabarangays; the social well-being of the beneficiaries were improved and enhanced. Lastly, the two programs taught the beneficiaries in improving oneself especially to be more responsible parents and as individuals. ###