RESPECTING TRADITIONS. Emily Sarmiento, together with her tribesmen, performs a ritual prayer during the Katutubo Caravan held in Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal. With the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, her traditional views on health and education are changed, which promise a better future for her children.***

“Bakit ba pinipilit nyo sa aming mga Katutubo ang inyong mga nais? Nawawala ang tradisyon. Kahit naman walang Pantawid, kaya naming mga Katutubo ang mabuhay.”

Such were the words of 44-year old Emily Sarmiento, fondly called as Kwatang by the Dumagat tribesmen in Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez in Rizal Province, during her first Family Development Session (FDS) as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. For her, accepting the program is like being disloyal to their tribal tradition. But the death of her fourth child made her think twice and later accept the program wholeheartedly.

As a Dumagat, Kwatang is not used to being attended by medical professionals during delivery. Back in 2010, she had difficulty delivering her youngest child and so she was sent to a hospital in the town proper. However, with her fear, she ran off from the hospital and decided to deliver the baby all by herself. At home, a few hours after, a very saddened Kwatang delivered a dead baby and later buried her in their backyard full of anger and disappointment.

Kwatang admitted that through an FDS she attended as part of the program, she realized that her irresponsibility was the reason of her baby’s death.

“Natandaan ko ang sabi sa amin noon na ang pagiging magulang ay isang responsibilidad na dapat panagutan.” she shared.

With that learning, Kwatang vowed to accept the program so she can continuously enrich her knowledge. Together with the other mothers in her tribe, she does not fail to attend the FDS where she learns about her roles and responsibilities as a mother and as a responsible Katutubong Pilipino.

Today, Kwatang is an active parent leader who is willing to help her members at all times. She recounts instances when she accompanies her members to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for financial and medical assistance. As a proof of her acceptance of the modern healthcare, she sometimes stays with them in the hospital if needed.

Kwatang’s acceptance of the program has paved way to a lot of other changes in their lives. Not only is she able to provide proper medical attention to her children through vitamins and regular health checkups, but she has changed her views towards other things too such as education and their future.

“Ayaw kong matulad ang mga anak ko sa aming mag-asawa. Gusto kong makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral at maging guro, pulis, o kahit na anong gusto nilang maging.” Kwatang shared.

Before Pantawid Pamilya, Kwatang said that her children used to attend an informal school in their sitio, a three-hour walk from the nearest elementary school in their barangay—Puray Elementary School. But after realizing the importance of education, the whole family moved to Kwatang’s brother’s house, a 30-minute walk to and from the said school. Now, all her three children are in school.

Moreover, the program helped Kwatang to dream for her family. She plans to rent a stall in the market where she can sell their produce so she can support her children’s education once they reach high school or college. Right now, Nanay Emily, with the help of her husband, works harder every day planting crops so they can save enough money to support the daily needs of her children even when the program is over.

Through Kwatang’s acceptance of the program, she realized that there are things outside of their tradition that can bring better lives for them, especially her children.

“Nagkamali ako noon. Pero dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya, nagbago ang buhay namin.” she admitted.

# (with reports from Municipal Link Kristian Balajadia and IP Focal Joenel Salinas)