CCT child grantee Arthur John.

COMPOSTELA, Compostela Valley  -Compostela town in Compostela Valley Province is one of the severely-hit towns in Davao Region when tropical storm Pablo hit the region last December 4. With over 200,000 families affected by the aftermath, Compostela, they say, will never be the same again. But, typical to Pinoys, what almost destroys us makes us stronger, wiser.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government and non-government organizations came together and helped out in all relief efforts to give strength and hope to all affected families.

Compostela is a recipient of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD. It was prioritized as a program recipient in 2010 as part of the Set 3 area. Expansion areas were also identified in 2011 for the Set 4. Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants to identified poor households in the country providing they comply with the sets of conditions asked of them.

Geraldine Condeza Chan, a 36-year old Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary of Barangay Poblacion, Compostela, Compostela Valley has nothing but good words for the program. Geraldine and her husband, Arturo who works as a painter, strive hard to provide a better life to their five children. To them, Pantawid Pamilya is a faithful partner that helps them in achieving their dreams for their children.

“Buot namong ipadayon ang mga programa sa gobyerno tungod kay dako kini og ikatabang kanamo. Ilabi na sa pag-eskwela sa among mga anak. Nakatabang usab sa pagpadayon sa pagsuporta sa among panlawas. Ako usab isip inahan dako ug natabang ang programa bahin sa pag pamatuto ug pagdala sa mga anak nga akoang nakutlo sa amoang Family Development Sessions (We would want the program to continue for it has helped especially in our children’s studies. The program also helped in supporting us in our health needs. I, as a mother, has learned a lot in taking care of our children from our Family Development Sessions),” shared Geraldine.

Her 15-year old son, Arthur John, offers all his academic achievements to the program. “Lami kaayo mo-eskwela kay kabalo mi nga anaa kanunay ang Pantawid Pamilya nga mo-suporta sa amoa. Buot nako nga ipadayon ang mga programa sa gobyerno aron mas daghan pa nga sama kanamo ang mahatagan og ayuda (We are inspired to go to school because we know Pantawid Pamilya will always be there to support us. We would like the program to continue to help more people).”

“Sa pagkakaron, lima ka bulan human ang bagyong Pablo, medyo arang-arang na ang amoang pamuyo. Dako kaayo nga tabang ang relief goods  gikan sa DSWD ug ang ilang mga counseling nga ginahimo (For now, five months after Typhoon Pablo, we are slowly walking on our feet again. DSWD has greatly helped especially in providing relief goods and counseling to affected families),” continued Geraldine.

 

In a similar manner, 63-year old Cresencia Soro of Barangay Osmeña, Compostela is indebted to the program. In her old age, she still manages to make both ends meet. “Ipadayon ang mga programa sa panggobyerno kay dako kaayo og ikatabang labi na karon nga tigulang nako ug wala na koy trabaho (The program should be continued because it has helped us especially now in my old age with no regular job).” She takes care of all her five grandchildren. With only her daughter, Maricris, to help her, Cresencia is grateful that government did not turn a blind eye and gave them Pantawid Pamilya.

Her grandson, 15-year old Aries John, is equally grateful to the program. “Dako kaayo og natabang ang Pantawid Pamilya sa amoa kay karon makafocus na si lola sa pagbantay sa amoa ug wala na kaayo mi galisod sa amoang pang-adlaw adlaw nga balon.  Dili na pud kaayo lisod inig abot sa tingbayad sa tuition kay naa na man ang Pantawid Pamilya(Pantawid Pamilya has helped us because grandma can now focus on taking care of us. We now have our everyday baon, unlike before. Also, we can now pay our school obligations because of the program).”

Pantawid Pamilya is helping over 193,000 household beneficiaries in Davao Region. The recipients receive a maximum of P 1,400 a month to cover for the children’s education and health needs. Pantawid Pamilya covers 6 cities and 44 municipalities in all four provinces in Region XI. DSWD