As empty as the interior of their small shanty is a family’s vision of the future.

“Kahit sa pangarap, hindi sumagi sa isip naming mag-asawa na magkaroon man lang ng matatag na bahay,” shared Jina Fabuna, 48, a mother of four.

For the family, the vision of tomorrow is unclear as what is more important is that they are able to go through the current day. Their small home in Brgy Sampaloc III, Dasmariñas City in Cavite, with leaky roof, muddy floor and rotten walls, is enough for them, at least with providing them a roof to spend the night in.

It was in 2012, when the family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, that they learned to dream.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human capital development program of the national government that supports the health, nutrition and education of children age zero to 18 through the provision of conditional cash grants to qualified poor families.

To date, there are more than 300,000 family-beneficiaries of the program in the CALABARZON Region.

 

Saving for the future

As part of the program, Jina’s family receives cash assistance for the needs on health and education of their youngest son, 12-year-old Jemmuel, who is currently in Grade 6.

“Malaki ang naitulong sa amin ng Pantawid, lalo na ang buwanang FDS. Dito kami natutong mangarap at maghangad ng pagbabago sa buhay,” Jina shared.

The FDS or the Family Development Session is a monthly gathering of household-grantees, usually the mothers, as part of their co-responsibilities with the program. The said sessions are venues for teaching families of various family-enhancement topics such as financial management, improving marital relationships and disaster preparedness.

Jina confessed that before, she and her husband Jimmy would conveniently settle with any irregular job just so they can support their family. However, they learned that it is important that they have a regular source of income so they can continuously support their needs and improve their lives.

They started to open a small stall where they sell vegetables daily. Having a regular income, plus the cash grants they receive from the program, they are able to manage their finances better.

“Nakasimula na po kaming mag-ipon, kahit fifty pesos lang sa isang araw,” Jina shared.

With their savings, the couple managed to pay for the monthly amortization of the second hand motorcycle they bought more than a year ago. To date, they only have six more months before they can fully pay for the motorcycle.

“’Yung motor pinalagyan namin ng sidecar at ngayon ay ginagamit ng asawa ko sa pagtitinda. Habang nagbabantay ako dito sa tindahan, s’ya naman ay nagbabahay-bahay para magtinda ng produkto. Sa ganitong paraan, mas marami kaming naibebenta,” she shared.

With more income, they are able to support all their children’s need in school as well as their daily household expenses. Also, they are able to think and plan ahead for their future.

 

Saving for their dream house

It is also through the monthly FDS that the family began dreaming of a better home.

“Natutunan ko sa disaster preparedness topic na dapat matatag ang bahay para iwas sa sakuna. Naranasan namin kung paano masiraan ng bahay dahil sa bagyo. Doon ako nangarap na sana magkaroon kami ng matatag na tirahan na hindi kayang buwagin ng kahit na ano pa mang bagyo,” said Jina.

So when the opportunity to finally own a house came to them, the couple did not hesitate to take chances.

Both Jina and Jimmy volunteered in the SM Development Corporation—Gawad Kalinga housing project, which started in August 2014, in their barangay. They are providing labor contribution for the project and are working to complete at least 1,600 labor hours so they can be granted a unit.

The said project has 32 units for the first batch of housing beneficiaries where the Fabuna Family is luckily included.

“Sa ngayon, puspusan kaming mag-asawa na magbigay ng oras sa paggawa ng bahay para makakumpleto kami ng 1,600 hours.’Yung mga anak namin, sila ang nagvolunteer magbantay ng tindahan pag wala silang pasok para makapagtrabaho kami ditong mag-asawa. Pero madalas, ako ang nagtitinda habang ‘yung asawa ko ang nagtatrabaho para sa pangarap naming bahay,” she shared.

As they look forward to finally live in a sturdier and more comfortable house, the Fabuna Family is glad that they finally learned to dream. And even one step at a time, they are getting towards a good life they can enjoy together. (with reports from MBTugano, City Link – Dasmariñas City)***