ONE LAST STITCH. Julia Bilangdal, 35, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, sees new hope in her final challenge during the TESDA-assessment of her skills in Dressmaking. As part of the Kalahi-CIDSS Livelihood for Urban Poor Communities, she is able to acquire dressmaking skills that she can use to bring more income for her family.***

“Ang bata kapag hindi malusog, hindi sya makakapag-aral nang mabuti,” says 35-year-old Julia Bilangdal, a mother to one and a barangay health worker (BHW) for almost seven years.

Since giving birth to her now six-year-old daughter, Julia quit her job as a factory worker to focus on raising her. The family has to rely on her husband’s income as a factory worker since then. But with her desire to serve, she began working as a BHW even if she takes home only P1,000 every month.

The Value of Health

Julia has long valued health, especially when it comes to her only daughter. She wishes her to be in good shape. However, she is saddened by the fact that not all parents are like her.

“Bihira talaga ang nagpapacheckup ng mga bata dati,” she relates her experiences working as a BHW.

However, her work load has changed since the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in their barangay in 2010.

“Noong nagkaroon ng Pantawid, mas marami na ang nagpapacheckup sa center. Mas naging aware ang mga tao sa kahalagahan ng pagpapacheckup at sa kalusugan katulad ng weight monitoring ng mga bata,”she shared.

She also admits that catering to the needs of Pantawid beneficiaries is an added work for her in the center. She does not complain, however.

“Mahalaga ang pagtulong para sa akin. Isa iyong kaligayahan. Kahit hindi nila ako pasalamatan, pag gumagawa ako ng kabutihan, alam kong ganun din ang babalik sa akin. Masarap sa pakiramdam ang tumulong sa kapwa,” she said.

Another obligation that she now handles is monitoring the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya. As a BHW, she ensures that she reminds beneficiaries to comply with their responsibilities especially when it comes to health.

Being a Beneficiary Herself

During the latest expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program last year, Julia’s family was chosen as beneficiary. Despite being new, she already is very much thankful for the program, especially on how she and her family can now take advantage of PhilHealth. For her, taking care of everyone’s health is very important particularly with her daughter.

“Ang tanging pangarap ko lang sa anak ko ay maging malusog sya, at saka magkaroon sya ng magandang kinabukasan,” she shared.

To do this, she ensures that whatever she teaches as a BHW, she practices at home. She makes sure her child is given proper nutrition and is checked up regularly. For her child’s good future, Julia will do just about everything she can to send her to school. The cash grant she has been receiving from Pantawid Pamilya is sure a big help, but she is not depending solely on this assistance. So when the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Livelihood for Vulnerable Urban Poor Communities entered their barangay, she is very happy she is given the opportunity to acquire new skills that she can use to earn extra income.

Just last March, Julia finished Dressmaking accreditation training under the Kalahi-CIDSS in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). With a TESDA-certification now, she is more confident that she can help bring income home. However, she does not want to work away from home because she still wants to focus on being a mother and a BHW. So she plans to invest on a sewing machine she can use at home to work for made-to-order curtains, pillowcases, bed covers and other garments.

With the opportunities presented to Julia brought by Pantawid Pamilya and Kalahi-CIDSS, she is more than positive their family is on its way to a better life. As a barangay health worker and with her new role as a parent leader to other beneficiaries, she is glad that she can provide opportunities to bring positive changes to other people’s lives, especially when it comes to valuing health and viewing life.***