Eduard Hernandez, 19, whose family is a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program points out the sugarcane plantations he used to work at as a child in their far-flung village in Calatagan, Batangas Province. Today, he is glad that just like the distance of plantations, the possibility of working there again is likewise distant to him. After graduating from high school and being provided with an opportunity to be trained for computer hardware servicing, he knows he has better chances of getting a good job and bringing his family out of poverty.***

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THE SWEET TASTE OF A NEW LIFE

Most of his childhood life, Eduard has been doing various jobs from one sugarcane plantation to another. He is certain, however, that such life does not belong to him.

Eduard Hernandez, 19, a resident of Brgy. Biga in Calatagan, Batangas Province is a picture of a young man who has endured a lot of hard work under the scorching heat of the sun early in life.

He admits that he sometimes hate to do the job; however, the Php200 he receives in exchange for a day’s work is enough to urge himself to continue. It is a big enough sum of money to help his family of 12 to go through daily. After all, he believes that all the sacrifices will eventually lead him to a better life.

“Noong elementary hanggang high school, tumutulong na ako kina tatay sa pagpapaupa sa tubuhan. Mahirap po, pero pantulong na rin sa pang-araw-araw naming pangangailangan,” Eduard shared.

In 2010, Eduard’s family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. His family is grateful for the cash assistance, especially that it helped mostly with Eduard’s and his two younger siblings’ needs in school.

 

Breaking the cycle of poverty

Amada, 53, Eduard’s mother, shares that the sugarcane plantations in their village has become the only source of income for most of the residents, particularly the men in their family.

“Kami, hindi kami nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Wala kaming ibang alam gawin kundi ang magtrabaho sa tubuhan. Mula sa tatay n’ya hanggang sa mga kapatid n’yang lalaki, sa tubuhan nagtatrabaho ngayon,” shared Amada.

Eduard has long pictured out that he might one day end up like his father and brothers—content with the seasonal jobs they acquire in the plantations since they were not given a chance to pursue even a high school education. However, he did not stop dreaming.

“Gusto ko po talagang mag-aral para magkaroon naman ng pagbabago. Alam ko pong kung hindi ako magsusumikap, ganito pa ring buhay ang magkakaroon ako at ang aking pamilya,” said Eduard.

So even if he struggles with his daily needs, even to the point of going to school without any allowance, Eduard studied with determination. And when he finished high school, he knows that it will be the start of a better life for him, even though he knows his family cannot support him to college.

 

Dreaming of change for the family

With a high school diploma in hand, Eduard qualified for a training scholarship under one of the programs of the Kaunlaran ng Manggagawang Pilipino Program, Inc. in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. This is one of the interventions provided by the DSWD to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya program to help them improve their families’ living condition and later become self-sufficient.

In July 2014, he earned a certificate in computer hardware servicing after completing one-month training and later employed in a factory in Laguna Province.

Eduard’s mother admitted that without such help, they cannot afford to give Eduard such kind of opportunity.

“Kung ikukumpara ko po sa pagtatabas sa tubuhan, malaking ginhawa at tulong ‘yung trabaho ko sa factory. Hindi lang dahil wala ako sa ilalim ng init ng araw, kundi dahil mas malaki na rin ang naiuuwi kong sahod para sa pamilya,” he shared.

Currently, Eduard is unable to continue his employment in the factory because of a medical problem. He was diagnosed to have a urinary tract infection.  However, he is still determined to use his skills in computer hardware servicing to continuously earn for his family.  He is hoping that his application for employment in other companies in Batangas Province would be bear positive results soon.

“Ito pong pangangarap ko na magkaroon ng maayos na trabaho ay hindi lang para sa akin. Gusto ko rin pong matulungan ang mga magulang ko at mapatapos ang mga nakakababata kong kapatid para maging maganda rin ang buhay nila,” he shared.

Looking at the view of the vast sugarcane plantation from their home, Eduard is happy and proud that he is finally making a new life. Ironically, it is with this new opportunity before him that he is finally tasting a sweeter life for himself and his family. With reports from HBBelgica***