The next rain will be a blessing.
“Pagkatapos ng training, naghawan at nagpaarado na kami ng lupa. Natutunan namin sa training na kapag tag-ulan magandang itanim ang papaya. Kaya habang naghihintay kami ng pag-ulan, naghahanda na kami sa aming pagtatanim,” shared Emma Portes, 47, a resident of Brgy. Manlana in Buenavista, Quezon.
Emma, together with at least 50 other beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in their barangay, was trained on the production of sinta papaya and peanut as part of the Agricultural Development and Sustainability Project under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
The SLP is a core social protection program of the DSWD implemented alongside Pantawid Pamilya that provides capability building and zero-interest capital seed assistance to qualified households to help them develop their micro-enterprise ventures. The said program aims to help increase the socio-economic status of its beneficiaries.
New ways to dream for the family
Edna Madla, 38, a resident of Brgy. Patabog in Mulanay in the same province, has also attended skills training on several topics such as swine raising and meat processing.
Like Emma, Edna is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who also qualified to be a beneficiary of the SLP.
“Malaking katulungan ang SLP sa amin. Dahil sa dagdag puhunan, hindi ko na kailangang magtrabaho sa Maynila para lang masuportahan ang mga anak ko. Matutupad ang mga pangarap ko para sa kanila nang hindi ko na kailangang lumayo at mapabayaan ang mga anak ko,” Edna shared.
Emma, on the other hand, is thankful for the knowledge she acquired from the training.
“Yung training namin, binigyan kami ng kailangan naming kaalaman para sa kabuhayan ng aming pamilya,” shared Emma.
Both mothers emphasize how the cash grants provided under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program have helped their family, especially when it comes to supporting their children’s education. However, both agree that the knowledge provided by SLP will help them better support their respective families, even when they no longer will be receiving cash grants from the Pantawid Pamilya program.
Chasing opportunities
Through the support of the Pantawid Pamilya program and the continuous hard work of the family through farming, Emma’s three children have already finished vocational courses. Today, she only has her youngest daughter to support.
On the other hand, Edna is supporting two children who are still in grade school. Her eldest has already finished high school.
“Ang pangarap namin para sa aming mga anak ay makapag-aral sila para makaahon sila sa kahirapan at makawala sa sitwasyon namin dati na isang kahig, isang tuka,” shared Edna.
Emma has the same dreams, and both mothers are chasing all opportunities to ensure they reach their dreams for their children.
With her new knowledge in swine-raising, Edna is looking forward to get a good income out of the hogs she is currently raising. Further, when she finally gets the Php10,000.00 capital assistance from the SLP, she already knows what to do.
“Kapag natanggap ko na ang loan, bibili ako ng tatlong biik. ‘Yung matitira, ibibili ko ng feeds na good for four months na. Pagnatapos na ang apat na buwan, ibebenta ko ang mga baboy at ganoon ulit ang gagawin ko. Tutuloy-tuluyin ko ang proseso,” Edna proudly shared.
Emma, on the other hand, has only the rain to wait for. Along with other trained members, they are looking for a good and fruitful harvest because of the added knowledge imparted to them.
“Dati na kaming mga magsasaka rito, pero marami pa rin kaming natutunan. Katulad na lang ng paggawa at paggamit ng organic fertilizer, p’wede palang gawing pataba ang dumi ng hayop,” she said.
When the rain comes, a great opportunity to change their lives will come. And for Emma and Edna, they won’t be wasting this opportunity. The knowledge imparted to them will always be their means to reach their dreams for their families.
“Dito na magpapatuloy ang pagbabago sa buhay namin,” Edna shared.***