DAVAO CITY (PIA) — A family in Sitio Cogon, San Rafael, Cateel, Davao Oriental, has shared their successful journey in reaching Level 3 of Self Sufficiency under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Genalyn B. Serra,40, expressed gratitude for graduating, signifying that her family had become economically self-sufficient and no longer eligible for cash transfers or other program benefits.
“Dako gyud ang among pasalamat nga nahimo mi nga benepisyaryo sa 4Ps kay dako ang natabang sa amoang pagpa-eskwela sa mga bata, sa amoang panglawas ug aduna pay nadungag nga kaalam. (We are very grateful to have become beneficiaries of 4Ps because it has helped a lot in our children’s education, our health, and we have gained more knowledge),” Serra said.
The Serra family reflected on their experiences before joining the 4Ps program.
“Ang akong bana usa ka nagtrabaho sa usa ka computer shop, ug ang income anaa lamang sa tres mil pesos (3,000 pesos) kada bulan. Maglisud mi kung unsaon ipagkasya ang among kita sa pang adlaw-adlaw nga galastuhon. (My husband works at a computer shop, and his income is only three thousand pesos (3,000 pesos) per month. We struggle to balance our income with our daily expenses),” she recalled.
The opportunities initiated by the DSWD, the Local Government Unit of Cateel, and other partner agencies inspired beneficiaries to seize more chances to pursue further avenues for improving their livelihoods.
Additionally, through the program, the Serra family secured additional capital from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a 4Ps partner, to sufficiently finance their business endeavors.
With this capital, the Serras built a store selling school supplies. The store grew even during the pandemic, eventually becoming a supplier for various schools and offices.
Genalyn emphasized that the cash grants were not the only impactful aspect of the program, but that 4Ps also strengthened their dedication to their school supply business.
“Dapat naa gyud moy tumong kung unsa ang gusto ninyo makab-ot sa kinabuhi. Ayaw ninyo limitahi ang inyong mga pangandoy. Dili lang magsalig sa hinabang o ayuda nga gikan sa gobyerno. Ipadayon lang ang pagpaningkamot hangtud sa makab-ot ang mga damgo, (You should have a goal of what you want to achieve in life. Don’t limit your dreams. Don’t just rely on help or aid from the government. Just keep trying until your dreams are achieved),” Serra advised. (IL/PIA11)
