Success is for those who strive at their best and never surrender to the voluminous storms of life.

Life is a test of high pressures, expectations, sacrifices and hardships. But none of these should hinder anybody to conquer and attain the blissful victory. Only few have the courage to play face-to-face with the hurdles of life, and also, only few can come out alive. One of the living manifestations that anyone can lord over obstacles is Vicenta Pamittan, the Regional Coordinator of Convergence Strategy of Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II.

Everyone likes to call her “VC”. She is a meek and honest woman who never let her ideas take the back seat. This feisty woman is never afraid to speak up her mind.

VC believes that success lies not only in intelligence but more on the attitude towards any circumstances.
Behind the face of her triumph, this down to earth lady was once an Area Coordinator of NHTS-PR back in 2009…

THROWBACK MEMOIRS

VC thought that she has seen the best of her profession but never did she know that NHTS-PR/Listahanan still showed many things beyond her career.

“When I heard about the hiring of DSWD particularly the NHTS-PR, I was so excited that is why I applied immediately. But I never thought that NHTS-PR/Listahanan will change me,” VC shared while reminiscing her experiences.

Many reactions and negative things rose on NHTS-PR/Listahanan. The short term period of employment became an issue for the field staff. They thought that working in NHTS-PR/Listahanan will be a waste of time. Nevertheless, things went in right way when they understood and appreciated NHTS-PR/Listahanan.

“A lot of us had been hesitant when we knew that the work is just for a short term but when I attended the orientation of NHTS-PR now the Listahanan, my impression altered, I was amazed that there is really a project that will identify who and where the poor are and the household assessment will result into database that showcases the real poor,” she explained.

After the orientation, field staff including VC was enlightened on what the project was all about. It was an eye opener for them and felt that they have a huge responsibility to attend on.

Despite the pressures being an area coordinator, VC never quit instead was very eager to go on field; she hoped that after the assessment many lives will be changed thru NHTS-PR/Listahanan.

WELL-COLLECTED EXPERIENCES

“When they deployed us in our areas, I was ready for all the work and circumstances but as cliché goes you will never know until you experienced it,” she shared laughing.

Also, she speaks out that there were Local Government Units (LGUs) who did not cooperate and even the respondents closed theirs door when field staff were coming.

Despite all of these, VC also recognized that there were good hearted people who extended a lot of help to them. There were households who offered their houses to staff to sleep in their homes when late at night and offered meals when they cannot possibly go home.

“We went thru hard sunny or rainy days, crooked roads, far flung houses, perilous hanging bridges and unkind animals that ran after us. But all experiences were really worth it,” she said.

VC emphasized that none of her hilarious experienced in the field will let her regret the days she worked in NHTS-PR/Listahanan.

“One of my experiences back then was to execute spot checking to ensure that our enumerators are on field. Personally, I never thought there are houses beyond those mountains and far flung areas. I felt their destitution that made me more eager to work for NHTS-PR/Listahanan,“ VC took a deep breath and shared.

Along my conversation with VC, I felt her story. She knew that all her worthwhile experiences in NHTS-PR/Listahanan have made her a hero in her own way.

“Nuon, on-going ang assessment hangang-hanga ako sa mga kasamahan ko because none of us back out kahit gaanong hirap matapos at mabuo lang ang trabaho. Alam ko nuon na kami ay mga bayani sa sarili naming paraan,” VC added.

MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

After the assessment, she felt fulfilment that once in her life she gained experiences and lessons that she will cherish, forever.

“My passion was really strengthened nun nasa NHTS-PR/Listahanan ako, nakita ko at namulat ako na napakadami pa pala talagang mga pamilya na naghihirap pero hindi nakikita dahil nga nasa kasuluksulukan sila ng mga barrios. Pero with NHTS-PR/Listahanan database nabuhayan ako ng loob na sa wakas hindi nalang kami yun nakakakita instead mahahanap at mabibigyan na din sila ng tulong thru yun sa mga stakeholders.”

VC, was one of the happiest people when finally NHTS-PR launched its first ever database. It is really irrefutable she became part of the legacy.

“I will forever be grateful and proud that I became part of Listahanan… this made me fall in love in my profession even more…”

Listahanan brought many things on VC’s life, one of the priceless things, is her experienced working with the late Mr. Felipe Adarme, former Regional Coordinator of Listahanan. She is very proud to share that Mr. Adarme is one of her great mentors and who moulded her to have the right attitude at all cause and circumstances.

After Listahanan, VC became more confident in herself and sturdy to try new things. Also, has opened a lot of opportunities to her, from NHTS-PR/Listahanan Area Coordinator, Municipal and Provincial link, to Regional Coordinator of Convergence.

At the latter part of our conversation, VC gave piece of advice to the upcoming field staff of NHTS-PR/Listahanan.

“Hindi madali ang trabaho, pero the key is to love your work and be committed, do not prioritize self-interest. I know it’s hard but there are a lot of experiences and lessons that you will gain thru this beautiful project. You are lucky because you have given the chance to serve other people and be part of Listahanan’s legacy in looking beyond the statistics; that is to find who and where the poor are and helping to change the poor people ‘lives for the best”. ###By: Ailyn P. Aglaua, Admin. Assistant III