At 62, Nanay Erlinda had grown accustomed to the gentle rhythm of life at home in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City. Her days were filled with the simple joys of nurturing her only child, caring for her husband, and tending to the needs of her household.
The comfort of this routine had become a warm blanket that wrapped around her, making it hard to imagine breaking free from its familiarity.
For Nanay Erlinda, the thought of stepping out of her comfort zone seemed almost impossible, as if the very idea of change was a distant and unfamiliar concept.
Similarly, her neighbor, Nanay Berhinia, dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mother, managing her household all by herself. Now that their children have grown older and became independent, she find herself with more time in her hands.
When the Pasig Public Employment Service Office (PESO) came to their barangay, they found a sense of purpose and a renewed financial stability after being introduced to the Basta May Sipag May Pag-asa (SiPAG-ASA) program.
“Isa po ako sa mga mapalad na natanggap at natawagan,” Nanay Berhinia recalled. “Tuwang-tuwa po ako kasi nagbigay sila ng trabaho para sa mga seniors.”
In support of DOLE’s TUPAD program and implemented by PESO and the Livelihood Office, SiPAG-ASA program offers an eight-hour workday for 10 days to senior citizens like Nanay Berhinia, and persons with disability. It pays the daily minimum wage of P645.
When Nanay Erlinda got accepted into the program, her family rejoiced. “Nakakatuwa kasi may mada-dagdag kami sa budget namin mag-asawa, parehas may sakit na diabetes, at may pang bili ng maintenance [medicine].”
SiPAG-ASA not only provides immediate income but also equips participants with skills for potential long-term financial independence through their livelihood training like making dishwashing soap.
“Nagenjoy po ako sobra,” Nanay Erlinda said. “Para lang kaming nag-aaral ulit. May lecture. The best yung pag-mix at paggawa ng sabon. Nakita ko na ganun pala gawin yung sabon na ginagamit namin sa bahay.”
The program also had environmentally friendly activities like recycling materials out of used sachets, sako, and turning these materials into crafts and bags. Nanay Berhinia shared that during their short course, they made 4 bags made of recycled plastics. These crafts were offered to be sold by PESO Pasig, but they ended up keeping them instead.
The SiPAG-ASA program focuses on self-employment through livelihood training, making the program not only provide immediate income but also equip participants with skills for potential long-term financial independence.
Jelene L. Sison-Lopez of Pasig PESO hopes that the future SiPAG-ASA beneficiaries will find hope and appreciation in the program.
“Sana mas ma-apreciate nila. Mas maganda kung mabigyan nila ng focus ang kanilang ginagawa, kasi isa itong factor kung magiging successful sila sa skill na napili nila,” she said.
Sison-Lopez shared that in the future, they will add more livelihood training like growing mushrooms, and they will also incorporate business startup kits for the SiPAG-ASA program.
“By 2026, maglalagay kami ng starter kits sa SiPAG-ASA. We want to encourage them to start a business, para yung learning and interest nila sa skills na natutunan ay continuous,” she said.
Profiling for the SiPAG-ASA program closed in February 2025, but will reopen again next year. Beneficiaries of the program this year are encouraged to apply again. Sison-Lopez hopes that those who applied will keep their lines open in order to be added to the upcoming batches.
Both Nanay Erlinda and Nanay Berhinia are testaments to the immense help SiPAG-ASA offers to senior citizens. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pasig at sa PESO na tinutulungan nila ang mga senior citizens ng aming municipality,” Nanay Erlinda said.
Through PESO’s strategic implementation empowering livelihood training, the SiPAG-ASA program has blossomed into more than just a temporary employment initiative.
For stay-at-home senior citizens like Nanay Erlinda and Nanay Berhinia, it has become a bridge to financial stability, a pathway to renewed purpose, and a comforting reminder that their skills and contributions are valued and essential to the development of Pasig City. (JLN/PIA-NCR)
