Mrs. Yunie Pacliwan and her family are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya. They are residents of Barangay San Ramos, Nagtipunan, Quirino. Mrs. Yunie lives with her husband Mr. Roger Sr. and two children Ronie and Roger Jr. Her life story is very colorful.

Before the program, Mrs. Yunie belongs to a family whose living condition is average. They can meet their basic needs. She divulged that financially, they do not have a problem. Instead, her family is facing relationship problem. Their mother is very suspicious that her father is having affair with another woman, but according they do not believe since their father very loving and loyal. That situation was not solved and the family led to eventual loss in harvest. This was the start of their economic problem.

During that time, while in a broken family, Mrs. Yunie decided to marry Mr. Roger who also comes from a poor family. She said, “Kahit po mahirap ang pamilya ng napangasawa ko, naramdaman ko po ang pagmamahal ng mga magulang na hindi ko po naramdaman sa mga tunay kong magulang”.

Her husband was given four hectares of land in the mountain. But it was very far, and they were not able to use the land for farming. At this time, her first child was born. The family had difficulty meeting the needs of the child. Her father gave her a land to cultivate but they do not have capital to start planting. And so the family tried they luck at Baguio City.

At Baguio, they worked in a vegetable garden. She shared that they were in a very difficult situation. His husband almost died in a landslide because he had to deliver the vegetable to their client. Unfortunately, Mr. Roger left the worked after an encounter with his boss because they were not able to deliver the goods in time. Same experience happened with the next employer. With all the string of unfortunate events, the family became closer to God.

“But, life is not bad all the time” according to Mrs. Yunie. God is always present behind the difficult moments in one’s life. The family, with their two children returned to Nagtipunan. They lived in a very small house. “Tiniis po naming tumira sa abong-abong na bahay para hindi na po kami makitira,” said Mrs. Yunie.

Luckily, the family was one of the recipients of the Core Shelter Assistance Program of DSWD. Another blessing was showered to the family when after few months, they were told to attend a community assembly because they were selected to be one of the family recipients of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

At first, they do not know what is all about the program. “Noong una po, hindi ko alam yun (the program), nalaman ko lang po na 4Ps ang pangalan. Ano kaya yon, ganun pa ako sa isip ko,” gushed the Pacliwan matriarch. But she complied and prepared the documents needed such as birth certificate, marriage contract, enrolment and health certificate. The event made her realize that there is that someone who always help them in times of troubles, and that someone reigns at the heavens above.

This time, Mrs. Yunie’s family lives a better living. “Sa dami ng naranasan namin noon, gumaan na ang pamumuhay namin. Kahit wala po kaming sariling lupa at nakikicropping lang po ang asawa ko, at least hindi na kami nawawalan ng bigas at mga pangangailangan,” gushed Mrs.Yuniewith her eyes beaming with gratitude.

Then she continued, “Hindi na rin po nagigipit sa allowance ang mga bata kasi napakalaking tulong po ang Pantawid Pamilya sa amin”.

Her family was really thankful of the program. In return, her family gives back these blessings by serving her fellow beneficiaries. Mrs. Yunie is now an active parent leader of her group named “Everlasting”. “Tutulungan ko po ang aking mga kasama sa loob ng aking makakaya bilang sukli po sa lahat ng biyayang aming natatanggap. Maraming salamat pos a Pantawid Pamilya at sa lahat ng bumubuo nito,” her last words.

The story of Pacliwan Family is another testimony that amid the choking grasp of fears and frustrations, there is always something that is bigger—FAITH. And there is always that someone who is ready to lend a helping hand and that someone is HIM who sits up high. ### By ARVIN T. LONGCOP, Municipal Link, Nagtipunan, Quirino