Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. Inorganisa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III ang ika-13 na Regional Assembly ng Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) sa Gitnang Luzon. Ito ay may temang “Redefining the Role of Filipino Youth in Nation Building Towards Sustainable Development”.

Ibinahagi ni Aries Ora, out-going President ng Regional Youth Federation ang Philippine Youth Development Plan. Aniya, mahalaga ang alignment nito sa Local Development Plan upang madaling maisagawa ang mga proyektong nais ng mga kabataan.

“Hindi ka mali, hindi ka kulang, kapag PYAP ka, ikaw ang pupunan sa ano mang pagkukulang,” paalala ni Ora sa higit 1,000 na kabataang dumalao sa pagtitipon.

Ang Unlad Kabataan ay isa sa mga mahahalagang programa ng PYAP na naglalayong maging kaakibat ang mga kabataan sa pagpapalaganap ng Population Awareness at Family Lifestyle.

Inilahad din ni John Paul Corea, PYAP Region 3 President, ang mga accomplishment ng kanilang organisasyon. Una rito ay ang Government Internship Program ng DSWD, ang aktibong pakikilahok sa Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council at ang Immersion Outreach Program kung saan sila ay nakakatanggap ng transportation and meal allowances.

“Don’t wait for change. Be the change – change starts with us,” iniwang mensahe ni Corea.

Bukod sa inspirasyon, punong-puno rin ng kasiyahan ang nasabing pagtitipon. Naghanda ng iba’t-ibang makukulay na pagtatanghal ang mga representante ng bawat probinsya sa rehiyon.

Layon ng PYAP na gabayan ang mga kabataan sa kanilang daang tatahakin. “I hope you will always take the right path,” positibong sambit ni Elena Carreon, PYAP Focal Person ng DSWD FO III.

#13thPYAPRegionalAssembly #DSWDGitnangLuzon #DSWDMayMalasakit

Kamustahin natin ang 2017 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya ng Gitnang Luzon, Ang Ramirez Family, mula sa Hermosan, Bataan.

Ginamit ng Ramirez Family ang napanalunang P20,000.00 sa Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya (Regional at National-level) bilang pumuhan sa kanilang bigasan. Sa tulong na rin ng kanilang mga natutunan patungkol sa Financial Management sa ilalim ng Family Development Session (FDS) ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ay napalago nila ito. Sa loob lamang ng isang taon ay na napalago na nila ang P20,000.00 sa P100,000.00, na puhunan. Mayroon sila ngayong 60 pamilyang regular na sinusuplayan ng kahating kabang bigas.

Nakalinya na rin sa mga plano ng pamilya ang pagpapatayo ng refilling station ng gas tanks ngayong taong 2018. Kinukumpleto nalang nila ang 50 gas tanks, upang makakuha na ng business permit.

“Ang programa po ang nagturo sa amin upang higit pang magsumikap at tumbasan ang pagnanais ng programa na maitawid kami sa kahirapan,” bahagi ni Nanay Irene Ramirez.

Sa kasalukuyan ay nag-voluntary exit na rin ang pamilya sa programa, upang, anila’y, mas mabigyang prayoridad pa ang mga ibang nangangailangan.

“Nabigyan po ng opportunity ang aming pamilya para magkaroon ng karagdagang hanapbuhay at ang pagsusumikap ang aming paraan upang masuklian ang tulong na inyong binigay sa amin,” bahagi ng Ramirez Family.

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#2018NationalFamilyWeek

“Minsan sinabi nila na wala ng pag-asa ang mga katutubo, pero mas dapat tayong maniwala sa ating mga sarili, sa mga kakayahan natin. Kaya siguro ipagkaloob sa amin ang ganitong pagkilala, para makita ng iba na may pag-asa tayong lahat na makaahon sa kahirapan.”

Ito ang ilan sa mga naging linya ng miyembero ng Pamilya ng Dela Cruz, mula sa Casiguran, Aurora, matapos tanghalin bilang 2018 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya. Ang Pamilya Dela Cruz ay benepisyaryo ng Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) sa Gitnang Luzon. Ang MCCT tulad ng Regular Conditional Cash Transfer (RCCT) ay isang sanga ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) na nakatutok naman sa mga Homeless Street Families (HSF), Indigenous People (IPs) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA), at Families in Need of Special Protection.

Ang Pamilya Dela Cruz ay katutubong Pamilya (mula sa tribong Agta ng Aurora at Aeta ng Zambales) na nagsusulong ng mga pangkalusugan, pang-edukasyon at pangkultural na karapatan sa Sitio Dumaguipo, Brgy. Cozo, Casiguran, Aurora (basahin ang buong kwento ng Pamilya Dela Cruz).

Kinilala naman bilang 1st Runner-up ang Pamilya Saltiban ng Talugtug, Nueva Ecija (basahin ang buong kwento ng Pamilya Saltiban), na pawang mga Community Volunteers (CVs) ng Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), isa pang programa ng DSWD na nakatutok naman sa empowerment at good governance. And 2nd Runner-up naman ay ang Pamilya Bagat ng San Felipe, Zambales (basahin ang buong kwento ng Pamilya Bagat), na bahagi rin ng katutubong komunidad na nagsusulong ng mga karapatan sa  usapin ng ancestral domain.

Ilan pa sa mga pinarangalang pamilya ay ang: Pamilya Pelicano ng Morong, Bataan; Pamilya Flores ng San Miguel, Bulacan; Pamilya Bulaon ng City of San Fernando, Pampanga; at, Pamilya Pagarigan ng Ramos, Tarlac.

Ngayong taon ay ipinadiriwang ang ika-25 na National Family Week, na may temang “Tungo sa Matatag, Masagana at Mapayapang Pamilya.” Kinililala ng DSWD Field Office III ang mga natatanging pamilya ng 4Ps sa Gitnang Luzon.

“Maki-isa sa ating layunin na magkaroon ng pamilyang nagsusumikap, nagtutulungan upang mapagtagumpayan ang anumang mga hamon na darating. Mabuhay ang pamilyang Pilipino!” pagbibigay diin ni DSWD FO III Dir. Gemma B. Gabuya.

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“4Ps members tayo ngayon, pero sikapin natin na sa susunod na henerasyon, tayo na ang tutulong,” ito ang iniwang mensahe ni Parent-Leader Annabelle Pulmano, sa kakatapos lamang na 2018 Regional Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya and Best Parent-Leader, kahapon, September 28, 2018, na ginanap sa Walter Mart, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Si Parent-Leader (PL) Annabelle Pulmano, ng Ramos Tarlac, ang kinilala bilang 2018 Best Parent-Leader ng Gitnang Luzon. Si PL Anabelle ay kasalukuyang kagawad ng Barangay Carangian, Tarlac City. Bagaman isang Solo-Parent ay hindi ito naging hadlang upang maging aktibong leader si PL Pulmano sa kanilang lugar kanilang lugar bilang “ Active Zone Leader of the Year” nang taong 2013. Kasunod nito ay ay ilang pa nýang mga inisyatibo upang mapababa ang kriminalidad sa kanilang barangay at mapabalik ang mga kabataan sa eskwelahan (basahin ang buong kwento ni PL Annabelle).

Kinilala naman bilang 1st Runner-up si Parent-Leader Suzette Alonzo, ng Calumpit, Bulacan. Isa rin sýa sa aktibong katuwang ng lokal na pamahalaan upang mapababa ang mga kasong kaugnay sa Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC); isa rin sýa sa mga aktibong kasapi ng Gender-Based Violence Watch Group (basahin ang buong kwento ni PL Suzette). Samantalang, kinilala naman bilang 2nd Runner-up si Parent-Leader Ma. Evelyn Puchero, ng Sta. Rita, Pampanga. Bukod sa pagtutok n’ya sa pag-aaral ng kanyang anak, ay binigyang prayoridad ang kanyang edukasyon,; s’ya ngayoý matatapos nang mag-aral Bachelor of Science in Public Administration (basahin ang buong kwento ni PL Evelyn).

Ilan pa sa mga binigyang parangal ay sina: Parent Leader Cristina Diaz ng Dipaculao, Aurora; Irene Bestil ng Balanga City, Bataan na s’ya ring Pilipinong Masigasig Awardee (basahin ang buong kwento ni PL Irene); Parent-Leader Marites Fernandez ng Talugtug, Nueva Ecija; at, Parent-Leader Mercidita Espinosa ng Candelaria, Zambales na sýa ring Pilipinong Matatag Awardee (basahin ang buong kwento ni PL Mercidita).

Ang mga Parent-Leader ay katuwang ng mga Municipal Links sa pagpapdaloy ng impormasyon sa mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Bagaman wala man silang nakukuhang insentibon sa gawaing ito ay binibigyan naman ng mga leadership training ang mga Parent-Leader upang mapalakas ang kanilang mga sarili. At, ang Regional Search for Best Parent-Leader ay isang paraan ng DSWD Field Office III upang kilalanin at ang mga Parent-Leader na naglaan ng extra effort at panahon upang mas mailapit pa ang ibang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa kanilang mga kapwa benepisyaryo.

Irene Bestil is one of the Parent Leaders of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from the province of Bataan. Her family belongs to the Set 5A beneficiaries who became a Pantawid members last 2012. They are residents of Mabolo St., Bagong Silang, City of Balanga Bataan since 2001. She and her husband had been living together since 1997, but only got married last 2014. They have four children namely Arvin (20 years old), Venerando Jr. (18 years old), Princess Jamaica (13 years old) and Precious Ann (11 years old).
Irene is a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) in Barangay Bagong Silang, while her husband worked as a tricycle diver.

Irene Bestil became a Parent Leader last January 2015. Irene is already a BNS at that time, and is very active in community activities. She has done her best so that she can serve her group members well. Since then, she was a very responsible, active and dependable Parent Leader.

The family had a simple and happy life, even if Irene works as a BNS and Parent Leader at the same time. However, an unfortunate event happened. It was only last September 2017, when Venerando Sr. met a vehicular accident. He was confined at the hospital and was comatose for almost 1 week. The family have exerted all their efforts to produce money and allotted all their time so that Venerando Sr. will survive. Unfortunately, Venerando did not survive and died last October 2, 2017.

It was a very difficult time for the whole family, since Irene was left alone to take care of her children. Because of this, she suffered depression. According to her children, they cannot talk to her especially during the wake. Even after the burial, Irene was not able to eat or get enough sleep. She was in that state for almost 2 months. Because of this, her duty as a Parent Leader was affected, that the City Link decided to designate a reliever.

Irene was frequently home-visited and counselled by her City Link, along with the CSO representatives in their area. Not only that, she was being advised and visited by her friends and co-workers. Her Pantawid members also helped her to recover and became her confidants, especially when she felt extreme loneliness and weakness. She was very grateful to her Pantawid family for the big help and that she was assured that they were always there for her.

Losing her husband was indeed a very painful experience, however, she was enlightened by her Pantawid family led by their City Link, the Pastors (from the CSOs in their area) and her co-workers that her children need her and that she needs to move on. Irene then dedicated herself in taking care of her children and spent her time working at the barangay health center. She cannot fully say that she has recovered from the grief and depression, but she realized that her children need her and that she has to be strong for their welfare.

As a Parent Leader, Irene is an efficient one. She acknowledges text messages sent to her by her City Link, and readily cascades the information and communication to her members. She encourages her members to comply with the program’s conditionalities on Family Development Sessions, Health and Education Non-compliant members are being home visited by her. She is very reliable and has genuine concern for her members.

Being a Barangay Nutrition scholar, Irene has been consistently prioritizing the health of her children, her neighbors (both Pantawid and non-Pantawid beneficiaries), not only physically but also mentally, spiritually and socially. She was able to educate them of the importance of health and provides information on the different health services that the Barangay Health Center can offer. She has been actively participating in activities such as seminars for BNS/BHWs, weighing activities, vitamins supplementation, deworming, immunization and house to house visits. She has been a volunteer BNS since 2014, wherein they do not have salaries, yet are only receiving allowances from the barangay and city hall.

Irene is also active in community activities such as clean up drives, tree-planting activities and Brigada Eskwela. She participates annually in the Barangay Week and helps in the program. Aside from this, Irene also participates in the exercise program, Hataw, and is serving as the focal person of the people in their Barangay, whenever they have concerns from various partner agencies. She also attends Bible Studies every Saturdays and do home visits on the same day.

Irene Bestil has served as an inspiration not only to her neighbors but to her co-Parent Leaders and members of the Pantawid Pamilya Program, as they are living as a happy, loving and supportive family. She has been a role model to her members, since she has been through a lot, and yet, she still stood up and serve both the program, her family and the community. It is true that coping with the loss of someone in one of life is the biggest challenge, but with the help of the family and a strong support system, it will be conquered by anyone.

Written by: Abigail Galang

#PinoyFamGoals
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#2018NationalFamilyWeek

Si Suzette D. Alonzo, isang Parent Leader, na nagmula sa Barangay Palimbang, Calumpit, Bulacan. Si Suzette at ang kanyang asawa na si Jowell, isang karpintero, ay may tatlong supling na sina Marvin, 22 taong gulang, Maris, 16 taong gulang, at Kristina Angeline, 10 taong gulang.

Ang buhay niya noong bago dumating ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ay nasasabi nyang hindi sapat ang salitang kapus na kapos sa buhay. Nakikitira lamang ang pamilya niya dahil maging ang pagkain at panggastos sa araw-araw ay hindi nila malaman kung saan kukuhanin. Hindi permanente ang naging trabaho ng kanyang asawa bilang isang karpintero. Ang pagpapaaral at pagpapacheck-up ng kanyang maging anak ay karaniwang naisasakripisyo upang mapanatiling may laman ang kanilang tiyan. Sa sitwasyong ito, gumagawa si Suzette ng mga paraan upang matulungan ang asawa sa pagdedelihensya ng panggastos ng pamilya. Nagsa-sideline siya bilang isang maglalaba at nag-aalok ng mga lutong ulam at miryenda.

Taong 2012, napabilang ang pamilya ni Suzette bilang isa sa mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Lubus-lubusan ang ligayang naramdaman ng mag-asawa sa malaking biyayang naipagkaloob sa kanila ng gobyerno at ng ahensya ng DSWD. Naging malaking tulong ang cash grant upang magkaroon ng pag-asa ang pagkamit ng kanyang mga anak sa edukasyon na inaasam ng mag-asawa para sa kanila. Nakakapasok na ang kanilang mga anak sa eskwelahan ng may laman ang tiyan at hindi na naisasakripisyo ang edukasyon na kanilang panghahawakan pagdating ng panahon.

Unti-unting nakakabangon ang pamilya sa kanilang kinakasadlakang kahirapan. Naisasaayos na ni Suzette ang pagpaplano ng perang nakalaan sa gastusin ng pamilya sa tulong ng mga natutunan niya sa Family Development Session ukol sa wastong paggamit ng cash grant at pagba-budget para sa pamilya. Ang nakukuha niyang cash grant ay nakalaan para sa pambaon at pang-gastos ng mga anak sa eskwelahan. Nakakapagtabi din ng paunti-unting halaga si Suzette upang may nakahandang pera kung magkaroon man ng biglaang gastusin lalo na kung magkaproblema sa kalusugan ng sino man sa pamilya.

Nang lumaon, naging regular na din ang kanyang asawa sa trabaho nito bilang isang karpintero. Noong nakaluwag na ang pamilya ni Suzette, nagkaroon na din sila ng tirahan na kanilang nirerentahan. Nakapagpundar na din sila ng kaunting gamit tulad ng telebisyon, stereo, kalan, electric fan at refrigerator.

Naging isang parent leader din si Suzette sa kanilang barangay. Bukod dito, sya din ang cluster leader ng programa sa ilang mga barangay sa Calumpit. Ang Municipal Link na nakakasakop sa kanila ay magaganda ang nagiging feedback ukol kay Suzette. Sya ay isa sa mga masisipag na Parent Leader at naaasikaso nyang mabuti ang kaniyang mga ka-miyembro.

Taong 2015, isa si Suzette sa mga nanguna upang mabuo ang Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Watch Group sa bayan ng Calumpit. Sa pagtutulungan ng Municipal Action Team (MAT) ng naturang bayan at ng mga parent leaders, kasama na si Suzette, naging matatag ang isang people’s organization na kalaunan ay naging isang Best Practice o Convergence Initiatives ng bayan ng Calumpit. Si Suzette ay isang aktibong miyembro at isa sa mga opisyal ng grupo bilang Pubic Relations Officer (PRO). Sya ang tagapaghatid ng mga impormasyon sa kanilang mga miyembro, katuwang ng presidente sa pagpapalaganap ng adbokasiya ng grupo, maging sa pagdalo sa mga pagpupulong. Bilang isa sa mga kinikilalang best practice sa probinsya ng Bulacan, naimbitahan din si Suzette at ang ibang mga miyembro sa field validation ng DSWD Central office ukol sa 2017 DSWD PRAISE Awards kung saan nanalo ang buong probinsya.

Bukod sa pagiging aktibo sa GBV Watch Group, si Suzette ay hinirang din bilang isa sa mga Health Watchers ng munisipyo. Isa sya sa mga volunteers tuwing may medical mission sa kanilang bayan.

Sa ngayon, ipinagpapatuloy ni Suzette ang pagiging isang masipag at masigasig na Parent Leader ng Pantawid sa kanilang barangay at karatig barangay. Patuloy din nyang ikinakampanya ang mga adbokasiya ukol sa Gender-Based Violence at ukol sa Kalusugan. Makikitaan si Suzette ng pagsusumikap mapaunlad hindi lamang ang kanyang pamilya maging ang buhay ng kanyang mga kababayan sa Calumpit.

Isinulat ni: Nielady Cacanindin

“Nang mapasali po kami sa Pantawid ay nagkaroon ako ng eagerness para mas matuto. Iniwan ko po muna ang pagtutulak sidecar. Kasalukuyan po ako ngayong nag-aaral ng Bachelor of Science in Public Administration,” shared Ma. Evelyn L. Puchero, 40, a Parent-Leader from Sta. Rita, Pampanga.

Ate Evelyn used to sell fruits and miryenda using a tribike, where she earns little. Ate Evelyn also verbalized that before they don’t have a house of her own and they used to live with her mother. Today, with the help of the government through Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and their own effort, their level of well- being increased. They now live in an improved house structure.

Another accomplishment of Ate Evelyn involves the educational and health status of her children.

“Nahihirapan noon ang mga anak ko sa pagpunta sa eskwelahan dahil wala silang pang baon pero ngayon naka-service na sila ng tricycle sa tuwing papasok sila sa eskwela nila, at nag kakaroon na din sila ng bagong uniform.”

But now, in their five (5) years of being a Pantawid beneficiary, Ate Evelyn is very thankful because her children’s educational needs are being met, regularly. “Masasabi ko po na malaking tulong po ang 4Ps sa amin. Simula noong dumating ang 4Ps natutustusan na po lahat ng mga gastusin sa eskwelahan at naibibili ko na po ng mga gamit ang aking mga anak.”

Also, during home visitation, Ate Evelyn proudly informed us that her children are excelling in their studies and are garnering award and medals in their schools.

Her eldest child is consistently the Top 1 in their class since Elementary, up-to-date, her High School days. She is also one of the editorial writers in their school newspaper. She also represents her school in other academic competitions. Her second child also achieved awards and medals, mainly on sports-related activities. Her third child also achieved awards and represents her school in academic competition especially in Mathematics and in drawing/ poster-making. Her fourth child was also recognized as the brightest student among the Day Care students.

Ate Evelyn signifies her value for education. According to her, education is one of the best gifts to give her children and education is the key to success. She always teaches her children to give importance to their studies. As a mother, Ate Evelyn is in full support to her children especially to their education.

She also received a Livelihood support Php5,000.00 (SEA-K) and was able to use it as a capital for her mini-business. Her husband work as construction worker and he earns 12,000php. She was also able to participate in the NC II Dressmaking course under the BUB Project of the government. She also became part of the Health Worker Team in their barangay; she actively participated in the community program and took part as a volunteer in implementing the feeding program in their barangay.

As a part of the lesson in the Family Development Session (FDS), Ate Evelyn said was also able to apply the lesson in her everyday living, like the topic in “Kahalagahan ng Pag-iimpok.” She was now able to save for her family. And, as a result of the empowering activities of the program, she serves as a resource speaker in some topic of the Family Development Session especially on health.

According to her, after five (5) years in the program, she became more active in the community. She is also thankful because even if the program will end she will forever be grateful for the knowledge and experienced she learned as a partner-stakeholder.

“Ang nadagdag po sa mga pangarap ko bilang isang magulang at Parent-Leader ay makatapos rin ako ng pag-aaral, na hindi lang yung pamilya ko yung matutulungan ko, pati ibang tao,” emphasized Ate Evelyn.

Aside from studying BS Public Administration in community college, she is also taking–up a track on Caregiving.

Written by: Jinky Ronquillo

Annabelle O. Pulmano is a member of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and is currently residing at Barangay Carangian, Tarlac City, Tarlac. The grantee is a solo parent, a widow since 2011, and an active Barangay Kagawad in their area. Grantee’s late husband, Joven E. Pulmano, was unemployed since 2009 due to a motorcycle accident while earning a living as a tricycle driver which resulted to a hip fracture. The accident caused grantee’s husband to stay at home since he cannot work with his condition. On that same year, Mr. Pulmano unfortunately passed away due to cardiac arrest leaving the grantee with their nine (9) offspring. Grantee has averred that during this time she was physically and mentally distraught. Her nine (9) children were attending school and as a solo parent who is unemployed, she was worried that she could not provide for their daily basic needs.

On the year 2012, Mrs. Annabelle Pulmano became a recipient of 4Ps and was also chosen as a zone leader in their area. Mrs. Pulmano has expressed that life for them became better ever since the arrival of 4Ps since it lessened her burden on financial worries for the school expenses of her children. For the reason that the grantee is being aided by the 4Ps, she became an active zone leader and her efforts were recognized. She was awarded with “Active Zone Leader of the Year”. October of 2013, Mrs. Annabelle ran for Barangay Kagawad of Carangian, fortunately, she won, bagging the number one spot. Year 2015, Mrs. Pulmano’s son, Andrey O. Pulmano, became a scholar of the Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGPPA) under the 4Ps scholarship.

As per statement from the other 4Ps members in Carangian during conducted interview, from the time that Annabelle became a Barangay Kagawad, she had helped many constituents especially other 4Ps members regarding Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) cases, constituents who are needing medical assistance and cases of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). As a Barangay Kagawad the grantee was assigned to the barangay’s Health and Peace & Order concerns. She was able to contribute as a servant-leader and as a parent leader to the community by joining community services in the barangay such as “Linisin Ating Barangay” Day (LAB Day). When it comes to the CICL, Annabelle was able to help them by referring them to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSDWO) and to the barangay police regarding their cases. She was also the one who encouraged other 4Ps member to enroll their children at the Alternative Learning System (ALS) conducted by the Tarlac Police at Tarlac West Central Elementary School; from this, seven (7) children were able to graduate from the said program.

Annabelle used to sit and listen to the City Link (CL) during Family Development Sessions (FDS) on topics like women empowerment, but these days, she has averred that she herself know that she is now empowered. As a Barangay Kagawad for her second term, there are times wherein she stands before her constituents empowering them too through her life story. Sharing to them, especially to her co-grantees in 4Ps, “Kahit walang gaanong nabago o napagawa sa’ming bahay, malaki pa rin ang pinagbago ng aming buhay dahil mas inuna kong pahalagahan ang pag-aaral ng mga bata kaysa sa mga materyal na bagay” (Even if our house did not improve, our lives changed in big ways because I prioritized my children’s schooling rather than the material things).

As a member of 4Ps, Annabelle has an active participation during FDS and any 4Ps activities. Her children ages 0-18 have 85% attendance in school. Grantee also has a small garden filled with vegetable crops within her front yard. She is a proud and active implementer of “waste segregation” and emergency balde (e-balde) for emergency purposes during times of natural calamities.

During her reign as a Barangay Kagawad, she was given a chance to improve and hasten her abilities through seminars and trainings namely:
1. Workshop re: Salient features of R.A 9003, The ecological solid waste management act of 2000;
2. Capability building program dubbed as “Disaster Risk Reduction and Managemet (DRRM);
3. Training on Gender-Responsive and socially protective (child friendly Barangays);
4. Basic sensitivity training and orientation on anti-VAW law;
5. Skills training cum DILG PPA and GAD orientation;
6. Seminar workshop on: Mamayanang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamayanang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (MASA – MASID);
7. Orientation-Seminar on laying the foundation for good governance for the new sets of Barangay officials;
8. Seminar-Workshop on procurement planning and reporting and updates on budgeting an R.A 9184.

“Nasisiguro ko pong patawid na kami sa kahirapan. Sa tulong ng Pantawid, nairaos ko pong mapag-aral ang aking mga anak. Ngayon po ako’y isa na rin akong kagawad, na katuwang naman sa pagpapaunlad ng aming komunidad, (I can say that we are now leaving the pit of poverty. Through Pantawid, I was able to send my children to school. Now, I am already a Barangay Counselor, I am now moving toward the improvement of our community),” shared Kgg. Anabelle Pulmano.

Written by: Emmanuel Paul Catalan

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