With the aim to celebrate the positive changes in the lives of Filipino families, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 joined in the nationwide simultaneous conduct of the Pantawid Pamilya National Family on October 4, 2015.

All roads led to the Red Eagle Gymnasium, Cagayan State University-Carig Campus in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan as Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the different municipalities of Cagayan Province, and partners from the National Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Academe and Media, gathered for the three-hour festivity.

Bannering the message “Tuloy ang Pagbabago”, selected beneficiaries shared their story of transformation as a result of the Pantawid Pamilya.

CHANGING LIVES

“Dahil sa tulong ng programang Pantawid Pamilya, nagkaroon na kami ng katuwang sa pagtustos sa mga pangangailangan ng aking anak sa  at sa pagsisiguro sila ay malusog,” shared Arlene Narag, a beneficiary from Brgy. Linao East, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

“Ngunit higit sa tulong pinansiyal, pinalawak ng programa ang aking kaalaman tungkol sa maraming bagay, katulad ng aking mga karapatan bilang isang babae at kung paano pangasiwaan ang isang pamilya,” she added.

Arlene also expressed gratitude to the partners of DSWD in the implementation of the program and enjoined everyone to heed the call for the institutionalization of the Conditional Cash Transfer.

“Sana magpatuloy pa ang programang ito upang ang mga mahihirap na pamilyang katulad namin ay patuloy na makaranas ng mga mabubuting pagbabago at tuluyan na makamit ang minimithing kaunlaran,” she ended.

Arlene’s testimony together with the other success stories of her fellow beneficiaries which were written in a fruit-like paper were all hung in a symbolic tree called as the “Puno ng Pagbabago.” This three showcased the real life stories of the beneficiaries on how the program has changed their lives for the better.

CELEBRATING THE FILIPINO FAMILY

In her message, Dir. Ponciana P. Condoy emphasized on the efforts of the government on serving and catering to the needs of the Filipino families, especially those who belong in the disadvantaged and marginalized sectors.

“Kami sa DSWD, katuwang ang iba’t-ibang sector ng lipunan, ay taos-pusong naghahatid ng serbisyo sa inyo. Sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang mga kuwento ng pagbabago at patuloy natin itong palaganapin hindi lang sa loob ng ating sariling pamilya, kundi lalo na sa ating lipunan, nang sa gayon, lahat tayo ay magkakapit-bisig na tatawid tungo sa kaunlaran,” Condoy said.

In the spirit of convergence, partners also shared their commitment in taking part in the implementation of the program.

There were also presentation numbers and parlor games that made the event more colorful and fun.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor Filipino children aged 0-18 years old. In exchange of cash grants, children must be enrolled in school and must regularly visit health centers. Parents must also attend the Family Development Sessions. As of now, there are 96, 638 household beneficiaries for the region.###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II-Pantawid Pamilya