“Ang pag unlad ng Pamilya ay nangangailangan ng determinasyon, pagsisikap, pagsasakripisyo at pagkakaisa”. These are the words of wisdom from the head of the Lucas Family, George. He recalls the times when they used to live in a small barong barong in the distant sitio in Barangay Ditinagyan where life is really hard and everyday living is a sacrifice. The family radiated joy and contentment as they share their rich life experiences that have inspired them to be what they are at this moment.

“Nang dumating ang Pantawid Pamilya, unti unting nabuksan ang isip naming mag asawa na itaguyod ang aming pamilya at tulungan ang aming mga sarili sa pamamagitan ng ibayong pagsisikap”. Being a Barangay Councilor, Kuya George is certain that he cannot provide for his family with the small incentive that he receives. Enthused by his precious dream to create a good future for his children, he managed the awarded certificate of “stewardship” given to him by the Department of Agriculture to till the land and use the income as an additional earning of the family. Aside from this, he spent his free time in fishing while Ate Marina peddles the fish. Working in great stride is the battle cry of Lucas Family; coupled with hard work, perseverance and strong faith, Lucas Family had shown that they are an epitome of a simple living while connecting to the community from where they are a part. They have taken determined steps to assuage the family’s well-being and improve their living conditions.

Lucas Family demonstrates the values of embracing only what is essential, making it clear that sustainable progress is possible by healthy and simple living. In essence, one of the outstanding qualities of Lucas is the family’s spirituality shared by all members of the family. They can be seen to attend church service every Sunday paving the way for strengthened family values and cohesion. Life is hard, there is no doubt about it but Lucas Family remained steadfast in their faith that poverty is not terminal; instead, it is only a stopover. Motivated by the family’s thinking that the soundest way to escape from poverty is to come up with goals and ensuring that these are achieved by working together.

As the family’s foundation, George Lucas embodies qualities of a good husband, good father, good neighbour and good relative. Being elected as Barangay Councilor, Mr. Lucas performs his role well as a part of Barangay Council as attested by residents and community members. Since Barangay Ditinagyan is far from the town proper, getting there takes a lot of effort in terms of transportation and distance; hence, residents are prevented from going to and fro to access basic services such as health and basic commodities. Significantly, Mr. Lucas and family unveil a pure heart by generously allowing residents to use his own tractor for attending to the needs for transportation particularly in the event of health emergencies. People helped by Lucas Family cannot be undermined and counted signifying that the family is sincere and has a genuine spirit for helping other people in need.

As a father, Kuya George projects as a role model to his two sons. Proudly, Ate Marina shared that her husband is not engaged in any vice; therefore, their two sons have adapted and live with this value. On the other hand, Ate Marina, as a mother offers unconditional love by ensuring that her children are taken care of and their needs are well provided.
The children of Kuya George and Ate Marina have realized their parents dream by pursuing what their hearts wanted. The eldest, John Adrian, is currently working as a regular welder of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines in Subic, while Richard Renz is undergoing training at AFP, Joana Marie is studying at Aurora State College of Technology and Joana Lyn and Joana Jane are on high school.

Ate Marina as a Parent Leader is described by her group members as a leader who possesses a strong will and a clean heart. Her willingness to share her learnings and knowledge to her members are evident that it reflects how faithful the members comply with the conditionalities and how it affect their cash grant. Essentially, Ate Marina encourages her members to be involved in community works so as to show the community that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are active citizens and responsive to the need for active participation.

Armed with the dream to escape from the plight of poverty, the couple have invested in their children by providing them with education and honing them to build their own dreams. In passing, Kuya George and Ate Marina wanted to inspire all Pantawid Pamilya families to be a role model family on their own way. They are passionate about their mantra that “if one is determined to achieve some really big goals, you have to fall in love with hard work,” which means that success comes from within self and the harvest of success comes after hard work and teamwork.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III (DSWD FO III) reported that a total assistance of P7,546,265.60 from the combined resources of the DSWD, local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) has been extended to the victims of Typhoon Mario in Central Luzon.

Of this aid, the DSWD has released P4,367,107.00 worth of food and non-food items; P2,501,425.00 from the local government units of the affected municipalities; and P77,733.00 from the provincial governments of Bulacan (P36,500.00) and Tarlac (P41,333.00). Various non-government organization extended goods worth P600,000.00 to the victims of the province of Bulacan.

Of the assistance extended by the DSWD, P2,933,613.50 was provided to Bulacan; P1,327,744.00 to the province of Nueva Ecija; and P105,749.500 to Tarlac.

Typhoon Mario has affected a total of 71,797 families with 338,718 individuals in 238 barangays in 38 municipalities/cities in six (6) provinces of Central Luzon.

There were 152 evacuation centers opened with 26,636 families or 126,978 persons. To date, 57 evacuation centers are still in operation serving 2,153 families or 8,036 persons. Meanwhile, some 5,624 families or 30, 589 persons were served outside the evacuation centers or in their respective communities.

Typhoon Mario has left 43 families with damaged houses: 14-totally and 29-partially. Two persons from Zambales were reported missing. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)

Some P1,988,444.00 worth of relief goods have been provided to the victims of typhoon Mario in the affected areas in Central Luzon region.

The assistance came from the combined resources of the DSWD and local government units (LGUs) of the affected areas. Of the said amount, P1,122,116.00 worth of relief assistance came from the DSWD and P825,095.00 from the LGUS of the affected provinces/municipalities.
As in the past, the DSWD Field Office III is always prepared to provide augmentation support to the affected families particularly those who are temporarily staying in the evacuation centers.

As part of its preparation, the Field Office has stepped-up its stock pile of family food packs and non-food items. In addition, some 7,154 family food packs are prepositioned in the seven (7) provinces of the region under the management of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams.

As of 7:00am today, disaster monitoring report showed that Mario has affected 24,075 families or 114,231 persons from the 20 municipalities of the six (6) provinces of Central Luzon. In terms of affected population, the province of Bulacan ranked first with 16,645 families or 81,508 persons; Tarlac with 3,895 families or 13,847 persons; Nueva Ecija with 1,867 families or 13,167; and Pampanga with 1,363 families or 4,494 persons. Other affected provinces are Zambales with 262 families or 1,018 persons and Bataan with 43 families or 197 persons.

Ninety four evacuation centers were set up serving 15,029 families or 72,677 persons. Of these, Bulacan, the hardest hit province, has 63 evacuation centers serving 13,146 families or 65,528 persons; Tarlac with 14 serving 1,302 families or 4,952 persons; Zambales with 14 serving 312 families or 1,268 persons; Pampanga with three (3) serving 227 families or 1,002 persons; and Bataan with one (1) serving 43 families with 197 persons.

The heavy rains that triggered flood in the said areas had left seven (7) families with totally damaged houses and 24 families with partially damaged houses. There were no reported casualties.
The Field Office has also reactivated its Quick Response Team to monitor the extent of the disaster and identify the other appropriate services needed by the affected families. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo) September 20, 2014

Some P1,988,444.00 worth of relief goods have been provided to the victims of typhoon Mario in the affected areas in Central Luzon region.
The assistance came from the combined resources of the DSWD and local government units (LGUs) of the affected areas. Of the said amount, P1,122,116.00 worth of relief assistance came from the DSWD and P825,095.00 from the LGUS of the affected provinces/municipalities.
As in the past, the DSWD Field Office III is always prepared to provide augmentation support to the affected families particularly those who are temporarily staying in the evacuation centers.

As part of its preparation, the Field Office has stepped-up its stock pile of family food packs and non-food items. In addition, some 7,154 family food packs are prepositioned in the seven (7) provinces of the region under the management of the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams.

As of 7:00am today, disaster monitoring report showed that Mario has affected 24,075 families or 114,231 persons from the 20 municipalities of the six (6) provinces of Central Luzon. In terms of affected population, the province of Bulacan ranked first with 16,645 families or 81,508 persons; Tarlac with 3,895 families or 13,847 persons; Nueva Ecija with 1,867 families or 13,167; and Pampanga with 1,363 families or 4,494 persons. Other affected provinces are Zambales with 262 families or 1,018 persons and Bataan with 43 families or 197 persons.
Ninety four evacuation centers were set up serving 15,029 families or 72,677 persons. Of these, Bulacan, the hardest hit province, has 63 evacuation centers serving 13,146 families or 65,528 persons; Tarlac with 14 serving 1,302 families or 4,952 persons; Zambales with 14 serving 312 families or 1,268 persons; Pampanga with three (3) serving 227 families or 1,002 persons; and Bataan with one (1) serving 43 families with 197 persons.
The heavy rains that triggered flood in the said areas had left seven (7) families with totally damaged houses and 24 families with partially damaged houses. There were no reported casualties.
The Field Office has also reactivated its Quick Response Team to monitor the extent of the disaster and identify the other appropriate services needed by the affected families. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo) September 20, 2014

Bata pa lamang ay nangarap na si Hermosa ng isang magandang buhay para sa kanyang magiging pamilya. Nguint sa hirap ng buhay hindi na niya natapos ang high school, at sa murang edad na 16 ay nakilala niya si Jose Mario, 19, isang mangingisda. Nagdesisyon sila na magpakasal noong 1984 at hindi naging ganun kadali ang buhay mag-asawa para kay Hermosa, napadalas ang pag-inom ni Jose Mario na naging dahilan ng pangbubugbog niya sa kanya.

Nagkaroon sila ng dalawang anak ngunit patuloy pa rin sa pag-inom at pagbibisyo si Jose Mario kaya’t nagkukulang ang dapat sana’y pera na pangtustos sa kanilang mag-anak. Isinalaysay pa ni Hermosa na kapag tag-ulan ay hindi makapagpalaot upang mangisda ang kanyang asawa kaya wala silang mapagpilian kundi gawing lugaw ang kanilang natitirang bigas.

Nung nagsimulang pumasok sa eskwela ang kanilang dalawang anak nahirapan sila sa pagtustos sa kanilang pag-aaral dahil sa mga bisyo ni Jose Mario. “May mga panahon pa na pumapasok sa eskwelahan ang mga bata ng walang baon at kapag recess na nila napipilitan na lang silang manatili sa kanilang mga classroom para di nila makita ang mga kaklase nila na kumakain ng kanilang mga baon.” Mangiyak-ngiyak na pagsasabi ni Hermosa.

Nang makita ng mag-asawa ang grado ng kanilang pangalawang anak ay nagsimulang mag-isip si Jose Mario na itigil na ang kanyang mga bisyo, aniya “Ang talino pala ng anak ko, ano itong ginagawa ko?” Pagkalipas ng sampung taon ng paghihirap ay nasimulan na ang pagbabago sa buhay ng pamilya Orendain.

Panibagong pagsubok ang hinarap nina Hermosa nang mag kolehiyo na ang kanilang mga anak. Nagpatuloy sa pag-aaral ng Nursing ang kanilang pangalawang anak sa tulong ng scholarship na kaniyang natanggap dahil siya ay nakapagtapos bilang isang valedictorian noong high school. Ngunit hindi pa rin naging ganoon kadali ang pag-papaaral sa kanilang anak dahil may mga gastusin pa rin silang kailangan bayaran at isama pa ang baon para sa kanyang pang-araw araw na gastusin sa dapat tugunan. Hindi sumuko ang mag-asawa at naging mas masipag pa si Jose Mario sa pangingisda.

Ang panganay naman nila ay hindi naging kasing palad ng kanilang pangalawang anak, dahil sa kagustuhan na mag seaman at mag-aral sa Philippine Merchant Marine Academy ay hindi sumuko ang kanilang anak na maipasa ang pagsususlit para siya ay makapasok sa kanyang nais na eskwelahan. Tatlong beses bumagsak sa pagsususlit ang kanilang anak at hindi siya sumuko bagkus sa mga panahong naghihintay siya sa panibagong taon upang makakuha uli ng pagsusulit sa PMMA ay naghahanap ito ng mapagkakakitaan upang makatulong sa kanilang pamilya at matutustusan ang kaniyang mga personal na pangangailangan.

Maging si Hermosa ay pinanghinaan na ng loob at sinabihan ang anak na huwag ng ipagpatuloy ang kaniyang pangarap ngunit sabi ng kaniyang anak, “Ito po talaga ang gusto ko ‘nay, hindi po ako susuko.” Sa pang-apat na pagkakataon ng pagsusulit ay nakapasa na ito at nakapasok sa PMMA. Gayunpaman, isang malaking pagsubok muli ito sa pinansyal na kalagayan ng mag-asawa dahil wala silang sapat na pagkukunan ng pera upang maibigay sa bayarin sa eskwelahan ng kanilang anak, sinubukan ni Hermosa na manghiram ng pera sa kanilang mga kamag-anak ngunit imbes na siya ay pahiramin ay may narinig pa siyang pangungutya mula sa mga ito at nasabi niya sa sarili niya na “Ngayon pa ba kami titigil kung kailan college na sila. Balang araw titigil din sila sa pagsasalita ng mga bagay na laban sa amin.”

Samantala, napabilang ang pamilya Orendain sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at ang kanilang dalawang nakababatang anak ay naka-enroll sa programa. Nakita ni Hermosa ang malaking pagbabago sa kanilang buhay simula ng sila ay mapasama sa programa. Ikinumpara niya ang buhay nila noon sa buhay nila ngayon. Mas naging maayos ang pagsasama ng mag-asawa at naging isang mas mabuting ina sa kanyang mga anak dahil sa Family Development Session.

Nasagot ang kanilang mga panalangin. Nasuklian ang pagtitiyaga at nagbunga ang bawat paghihirap ng mag-asawa ng matapos na sa kolehiyo ang kanilang mga anak. Ang kanilang panganay na anak na si Nazir ay naging isang ganap na seman at nakapagtrabaho na at siyang tumutulong sa kanilang pamumuhay ngayon habang ang kanilang pangalawang anak na si Majendy ay nagtapos bilang isang Cum Laude at naging isang Registered Nurse.

Sa ngayon, patuloy sa pangingisda si Jose Mario habang si Hermosa naman ang naglalako ng kaniyang mga nahuli sa kanilang mga kapitbahay habang ang kaniyang pangatlong anak ay nasa kolehiyo na.

“Naniniwala ako na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan sa pagkamit ng tagumpay, pwedeng mangarap ang mga bata ng mas matayog at mas mataas dahil ramdam ko ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga batang determinado upang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Ang hangad ng programa na maitawid ang Pamilyang Pilipino sa kaunlaran ay totoo dahil ito ang naranasan ng aming pamilya at pwede ring maranasan ng mga iba pang pamilya na naghahangad na makamit ang pagbabago at tagumpay sa kabila ng kahirapan.” Isang malaking ngiti ang naiwan sa mukha ni Hermosa pagkatapos ng mga katagang ito. # (Alexine Bianca RdS. Castaneda)

Bata pa lamang ay nangarap na si Hermosa ng isang magandang buhay para sa kanyang magiging pamilya. Nguint sa hirap ng buhay hindi na niya natapos ang high school, at sa murang edad na 16 ay nakilala niya si Jose Mario, 19, isang mangingisda. Nagdesisyon sila na magpakasal noong 1984 at hindi naging ganun kadali ang buhay mag-asawa para kay Hermosa, napadalas ang pag-inom ni Jose Mario na naging dahilan ng pambubugbog niya sa kanya.

Nagkaroon sila ng dalawang anak ngunit patuloy pa rin sa pag-inom at pagbibisyo si Jose Mario kaya’t nagkukulang ang dapat sana’y pera na pangtustos sa kanilang mag-anak. Isinalaysay pa ni Hermosa na kapag tag-ulan ay hindi makapagpalaot upang mangisda ang kanyang asawa kaya wala silang mapagpilian kundi gawing lugaw ang kanilang natitirang bigas.

Nung nagsimulang pumasok sa eskwela ang kanilang dalawang anak nahirapan sila sa pagtustos sa kanilang pag-aaral dahil sa mga bisyo ni Jose Mario. “May mga panahon pa na pumapasok sa eskwelahan ang mga bata ng walang baon at kapag recess na nila napipilitan na lang silang manatili sa kanilang mga classroom para di nila makita ang mga kaklase nila na kumakain ng kanilang mga baon.” Mangiyak-ngiyak na pagsasabi ni Hermosa.

Nang makita ng mag-asawa ang grado ng kanilang pangalawang anak ay nagsimulang mag-isip si Jose Mario na itigil na ang kanyang mga bisyo, aniya “Ang talino pala ng anak ko, ano itong ginagawa ko?” Pagkalipas ng sampung taon ng paghihirap ay nasimulan na ang pagbabago sa buhay ng pamilya Orendain.

Panibagong pagsubok ang hinarap nina Hermosa nang mag kolehiyo na ang kanilang mga anak. Nagpatuloy sa pag-aaral ng Nursing ang kanilang pangalawang anak sa tulong ng scholarship na kaniyang natanggap dahil siya ay nakapagtapos bilang isang valedictorian noong high school. Ngunit hindi pa rin naging ganoon kadali ang pag-papaaral sa kanilang anak dahil may mga gastusin pa rin silang kailangan bayaran at isama pa ang baon para sa kanyang pang-araw araw na gastusin sa dapat tugunan. Hindi sumuko ang mag-asawa at naging mas masipag pa si Jose Mario sa pangingisda.

Ang panganay naman na si Nazir ay hindi naging mapalad gaya ng kanilang pangalawang anak pero dahil sa kagustuhan na mag seaman at mag-aral sa Philippine Merchant Marine Academy ay hindi sumuko ang kanilang anak na maipasa ang pagsususlit para siya ay makapasok sa kanyang nais na eskwelahan. Kahit tatlong beses bumagsak sa pagsususlit si Nazir ay hindi siya sumuko bagkus sa mga panahong naghihintay siya sa susunod na taon upang makakuha uli ng pagsusulit sa PMMA ay naghanap ito ng mapagkakakitaan upang makatulong sa kanilang pamilya at matutustusan ang kaniyang mga personal na pangangailangan.

Maging si Hermosa ay pinanghinaan na ng loob at sinabihan ang anak na huwag ng ipagpatuloy ang kaniyang pangarap ngunit sabi ng kaniyang anak, “Ito po talaga ang gusto ko ‘nay, hindi po ako susuko.” Sa pang-apat na pagkakataon ng pagsusulit ay nakapasa na ito at nakapasok sa PMMA. Gayunpaman, isang malaking pagsubok muli ito sa pinansyal na kalagayan ng mag-asawa dahil wala silang sapat na pagkukunan ng pera upang maibigay sa bayarin sa eskwelahan ng kanilang anak, sinubukan ni Hermosa na manghiram ng pera sa kanilang mga kamag-anak ngunit imbes na siya ay pahiramin ay may narinig pa siyang pangungutya mula sa mga ito at nasabi niya sa sarili niya na “Ngayon pa ba kami titigil kung kailan college na sila. Balang araw titigil din sila sa pagsasalita ng mga bagay na laban sa amin.”

Samantala, napabilang ang pamilya Orendain sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at ang kanilang dalawang nakababatang anak ay naka-enroll sa programa. Nakita ni Hermosa ang malaking pagbabago sa kanilang buhay simula ng sila ay mapasama sa programa. Ikinumpara niya ang buhay nila noon sa buhay nila ngayon. Mas naging maayos ang pagsasama ng mag-asawa at naging isang mas mabuting ina sa kanyang mga anak dahil sa Family Development Session.

Nasagot ang kanilang mga panalangin. Nasuklian ang pagtitiyaga at nagbunga ang bawat paghihirap ng mag-asawa ng matapos na sa kolehiyo ang kanilang mga anak. Ang kanilang panganay na anak na si Nazir ay naging isang ganap na seman at nakapagtrabaho na at siyang tumutulong sa kanilang pamumuhay ngayon habang ang kanilang pangalawang anak na si Majendy ay nagtapos bilang isang Cum Laude at naging isang Registered Nurse.

Sa ngayon, patuloy sa pangingisda si Jose Mario habang si Hermosa naman ang naglalako ng kaniyang mga nahuli sa kanilang mga kapitbahay habang ang kaniyang pangatlong anak ay nasa kolehiyo na.

“Naniniwala ako na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan sa pagkamit ng tagumpay, pwedeng mangarap ang mga bata ng mas matayog at mas mataas dahil ramdam ko ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga batang determinado upang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Ang hangad ng programa na maitawid ang Pamilyang Pilipino sa kaunlaran ay totoo dahil ito ang naranasan ng aming pamilya at pwede ring maranasan ng mga iba pang pamilya na naghahangad na makamit ang pagbabago at tagumpay sa kabila ng kahirapan.” Isang malaking ngiti ang naiwan sa mukha ni Hermosa pagkatapos ng mga katagang ito. # (Alexine Bianca RdS. Castaneda)

Jose Mario, the head of Orendain family shows his boat used for fishing but because of the strong wind and big waves, he decided to temporarily stop fishing. Amidst that he testifies that Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program brought changes in their lives thus he says, “Kaya ko ang pagbabago sa tulong ng Pantawid Pamilya!” His family represents the province of Zambales for the Search for Huwarang Pamilya for 2014.

(City of San Fernando, Pampanga) The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III (DSWD FO III) through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan conducted a consultation dialogue with partner Local Government Units (LGUs) on August 14 in this city.

The dialogue was aimed to encourage the LGUs to submit feedback reports and to promote the Gawad Listahanan.
The participants were the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MSWDO), Municipal Planning and Development Officers and Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) team leaders.

As stated in the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the data users must provide regular feedback on data utilization and resolution on complaints regarding beneficiary eligibility.

Meanwhile, Czar Cornelius David PDO IV of Listahanan explained the project cycle and the importance of the feedback report of the partner stakeholders. “We want to know how the database helps each LGU in identifying beneficiaries of their social protection programs and services,” said David.

Since data sharing of the project has been four (4) years now, the DSWD FO III will conduct Gawad Listahanan, an award to recognize the LGUs as data sharer. This is to recognize the data users that provided services to the identified poor. It will serve as an incentive to motivate the LGUs and other social protection stakeholders to continue using the database as basis for selecting beneficiaries of their social protection programs and services.

The Gawad Listahanan aims to recognize LGUs as the Department’s data sharing partners and advocates of objective targeting of social protection beneficiaries. It also confers award to LGUS for providing services and assistance to theListahanan-identified poor families.

Regional Deputy Project Manager Lalaine De Leon thanked the MSWDOs and MPDOs for the support that they extend to the project.

The participants also signed in the commitment board of Listahanan. This is one way of showing their support to the project. “Listahanan – tamang panukat, pantay at pamantayan ng programa’t serbisyong magbibigay kaunlaran sa kalagayan ng bawat maralita… DSWD mabuhay ka..,” wrote Josephine Labasbas, MSWDO of Baliuag, Bulacan.

The event was capped by the awarding of Listahanan database to the newly partner stakeholders who signed MOA with DSWD-Listahanan. To date, there are 65 municipalities, six (6) cities, four (4) provinces, and four (4) congressional districts who already signed MOA with DSWD on Listahanan.

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. (Alexis Myer I. Delicano)