Smiles were painted at the faces of children beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as they receive toys from SM Foundation through their “Share a Toy” program.

About 683 children who belong to Indigenous People (IP) group namely Agta, Ibanag, Ayangan, Bugkalot, Kalanguya and Ibaloi from the municipalities of Baggao and Aparri in the province of Cagayan; San Pablo and Sta. Maria in Isabela; Maddela and Nagtipunan in Quirino; and the municipalities of Ambaguio and Alfonso Castañeda in the province of Nueva Vizcaya were given assorted toys ranging from dolls, puzzles, LEGO, cars and musical instruments.

“Tuwang-tuwa ako sa doll na natanggap ko. Salamat po sa SM at sa DSWD!,” said Marian Alonzo, five years old, and a children beneficiary in the municipality of Baggao, Cagayan.

The toys came from SM City-Cauayan and were turned-over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II on January 15, 2015.

“These toys will surely give the children joy and laughter,” DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan said.
Tapispisan also emphasized on the importance of converging with the stakeholders in serving the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

“This program which is dedicated to our children beneficiaries is a perfect example of convergence, as we join our hands to put a smile on their faces,” she added.

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. Cash grants are provided to families in exchange of compliance to health and education conditionalities. Parents must also attend the Family Development Sessions.

Presently, there are a total of 98, 059 household beneficiaries in the region, 20, 537 of these households belong to IP group. ### By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II- Pantawid Pamilya