Poverty is just a single word but a lot of people are suffering from it. It is like a common disease that cannot be eradicated overnight. But anyone who is dealing with has choice whether he will get rid of it or not. And not everyone is valiant enough to take the course and get the prize called success.

It took years before Restituta Biraquit, 33, of Piat, Cagayan realized that she needs to face the challenges for her family. It was really hard for her to start from the scratch and deal with every test that life throws at her.

Restituta and her husband worked as farm laborer and their income was not enough to support their three children. Hence, she cooks “kakanin” and other native delicacies in schools and public market to augment their family income.

“Masakit sa loob para sa akin bilang magulang na hindi ko naibibigay ang kailangan ng mga bata sa paaralan at kailangan nilang magtiis dahil nga kulang ang kinikita naming mag-asawa. Sobrang hirap namin noon halos sumuko na ako at naisip ko bahala nalang ang Diyos sa aming mag-anak”, Restituta expressed.

She was defrauded by her co-business partner who embezzled her capital for her kakanin business. It was really hard for her to start all over again knowing that she has nothing but hope.

According to her, there were even days that her children went to school with empty stomachs. It was a game of luck if they can eat at least three times a day until a great opportunity enters their home.

“Nagsimula ang lahat noong 2009 may nag-interview sa amin, naghouse to house interview. Nagtanong-tanong sila tungkol sa kabuhayan naming mag-anak at tiningnan ang bahay namin. Noong tinatanong ko taga-NHTS-PR sa DSWD daw. Kaya sinagot ko nalang ng tama ang mga tanong nila”, She added.

It was way back 2009 when the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), now with the new brand name Listahanan conducted the first round of household assessment in Region II.

Restituta utters, “Hanggang isang araw, laking gulat na lang namin ng mapasama na kami bilang Pantawid beneficiary. Ang sabi ay kabilang daw kami sa poorest of the poor na galing sa NHTS sakto may mga anak akong nag-aaral sa elementary. Hindi ko inakala dahil dun sa interview ay mabibigyan ako ng napakagandang programa.”

Restituta is one of the chosen Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program Beneficiaries who are receiving monthly grants to supplement for education and health of her children.

According to her, it was a huge help for the family to receive the grants.

“Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko pasasalamatan ang DSWD sa mga tulong na binigay nila. Basta sumunod lang kami sa conditionalities ay nakukuha namin ng buo ang grants ng mga bata. Ngayon, hindi ko na iniisip kung saan ko kukunin yon gastos sa pagaaral ng mga anak ko tapos may health grants pa. Malaki din ang naitulong ng Family Development Sessions (FDS) dahil para na din kami nag-aaral at ang dami naming natutunan,” She said.

In addition, she was chosen as one of the parent leaders for their municipality. With this, her skills were honed to handle her co-beneficiaries. It was indeed a blessing for Restituta being a beneficiary of Pantawid. Never did she imagine that another opportunity will really change their lives.

Restituta was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

“Sunod-sunod ang blessings na dumating, duon ko napatunayan na may gobyerno pala talaga na handang tumulong para mabago ang buhay namin. Sa SLP, tinuruan kaming mag-negosyo para umunlad. Natuto akong humawak ng pera at kumita para sa kinabukasan ng pamilya ko. Tinuruan din kami paano magtanim ng mga organic vegetable na pwede maidagdag sa kinikita namin”, Restituta stated.

Having a right perspective in life, Restituta and her family is now operating a small eatery and flea market (talipapa) and was able to renovate their house.

Restituta ended our conversation by leaving a message: “Malaking pasasalamat ko sa DSWD sa iba’t-ibang programa nila na tumulong saamin. Higit sa lahat sa mga natutunan namin na sigurado makakatulong para mas magbago at gumanda pa aming pamumuhay. Sa mga katulad ko noon, wag kayong matakot at mapagod na lumaban sa buhay. Basta maniwala ka lang sa Diyos at sa sarili mo at magsumikap dahil diyan aangat din kayo sa kahirapan.”### By: Ailyn P. Aglaua, Admin. Assist. III, NHTS-PR