“Kami sa kagawaran ay natutuwang marinig ang inyong mga kuwento ng tagumpay. Sana ipagpatuloy niyo pa ang mga magagandang pagbabago sa inyong buhay, pamilya at komunidad,” said DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program during her two-day visit in the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya on June 3-4, 2015.

Sec. Soliman’s visit highlighted on her interaction with the 200 Parent Leaders of the aforementioned provinces in a Focused Group Discussion. The beneficiaries shared how the Pantawid Pamilya made a positive impact in their lives.

KAYA KO ANG PAGBABAGO!

Soliman listened to the testimonies of the beneficiaries on how the program changed their lives for the better.

“Dati kuntento na ako kung anong meron lang, gaya ang mapag-aral ang anak ko, pero dahil sa Pantawid, mas lumawak ang mga pangarap ko para sa mga anak ko at sa pamilya ko,” said Mary Jean V. Magoncia, a Parent Leader from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Also through the program, she was empowered and now actively take part in community activities. “Nasa loob lang ako ng bahay dati. Nahihiyang makisalamuha sa mga tao. Pero nung nasa Pantawid na ako, mas lalo akong nagkaroon ng tiwala sa aking sarili at lakas loob na nakikihalubilo sa barangay, at sa mga matataas- tulad ni Governor”.

She also related how the Family Development Sessions (FDS) benefitted her and her husband. “Lagi na lang kami nag-aaway at nagbubulyawan ng asawa ko, dahil kulang-kulang ang pera namin. Ngunit dahil sa pagdalo namin sa FDS at sa mga aral na natutunan namin dito, mas umaayos ang pakikitungo namin sa isa’t isa,” Mary Jean ended.

The beneficiaries also had the opportunity to raise their concerns to which the Secrtary responded.

THE CALL FOR CONVERGENCE

“Mahalaga ang pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan sa lahat ng antas- sa nasyonal, sa pangrehiyon, sa probinsiya at sa bawat bayan upang masiguro ang maayos at mas epektibong pagpapatupad ng mga programa at serbisy lalo na sa mga nangangailangan,” Soliman emphasized during her interaction with the local officials of the two provinces, headed by Gov. Junie E. Cua of Quirino and Gov. Ruth R. Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya.

The Secretary stressed that convergence among all levels and sectors in vital in eradicating poverty and in uplifting the well-being of the poor.

Soliman’s itinerary capped off with a visit in the project sites under the Sustainable Livelihood Program or SLP. The first stop was the vegetable farm of the Sulong Dibul SEA-K Association in Brgy. Dibul, Saguday, Quirino. The beneficiaries also showcased their products made from fossilised fuel which are being sold in and out of the country. Soliman also witnessed the basket-weaving and broom-making livelihood of the beneficiaries under the May-Pag-asa SEA-K Association in Brgy. Baliling, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya.

In her entire visit, Soliman was joined by DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan together with the members of the ManCom and some staff of the Pantawid and SLP from the Regional Program Management Office. ### By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II- Pantawid Pamilya