DSWD advocates strengthened families, calls for improved lives among beneficiaries
Pantawid Pamilya family-beneficiaries celebrate Family Week 2015
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office IV-A, continuously advocates strengthened family relationships and calls for commitment to improve their lives among the family-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. This is through the recently held Family Camp, attended by 50 families from all over the region, last September 25-27, 2015 at the Word of Life Camp in Calauan, Laguna Province.
With the theme “Pamilyang Pilipino para sa tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago,” the Family Camp held a series of activities that taught family-participants the value of good family relationships. Activities include family strengthening sessions such as positive discipline, gender equality, open communication in the family, child sexual abuse and prevention, and family spirituality among others. Other sessions include teambuilding activities, dance therapy and artwork sessions for children.
DSWD IV-A Regional Director Leticia Diokno, in her message to the families, shared that the Camp is designed for them to be able to improve their respective families, especially the relationship among each family member.
“Ang activity na ito ay isang magandang simula para sa mga pamilyang katulad n’yo para mas mapalakas pa ang mga pamilya n’yo. Ang magandang relasyon sa pamilya ang simula ng pag-angat mula sa kahirapan,” Dir. Diokno shared.
Jose Reynan Ayson, 42, a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary and a participant of the activity from Pililla in Rizal Province, thanked the DSWD for this opportunity for his family.
“Marami po kaming natutunan dito. Unang-una po, natutunan ko na dapat pinakikinggan pala ang mga bata at hindi lang pala ako, bilang tatay, ang tama. Ako kasi ang klase ng tatay na hindi nakikinig sa mga sinasabi nila,” Ayson shared.
Dir. Diokno also challenged the family-beneficiaries to share their learning and experiences in the Family Camp.
“Sana ang mga natutunan n’yo ay ibahagi n’yo sa ibang mga pamilya sa inyong komunidad. Lahat tayo ay magtulungan para makamit natin ang pagbabagong hinahangad natin,” Dir. Diokno added.
Commitment to change their lives
The family-participants in the camp shared how the Pantawid Pamilya program is helping their families. According to them, the cash grants help answer the needs on health and education of their children while the Family Development Sessions (FDS) help in strengthening families through the monthly education of parents like them.
These changes in their lives were portrayed by children in a theatre presentation during the camp.
Marife Pisguerra, 34, a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary and participant from Nagcarlan, Laguna, shared that they’ll continuously work towards achieving change in their lives.
“Lahat tayo ay may natutunan dito, at lahat tayo ay magsikap para maging mas maganda ang buhay natin,” she shared.
Further, the beneficiaries called for the continuous implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya program.
“Napakalaki pong katulungan ng programa sa pag-aaral ng aming mga anak. Sana ay maisabatas ang programa para makapagpatuloy at makatapos ng pag-aaral ang aming mga anak at makatawid kami sa kahirapan,” shared Maria Fe Rollon, 36, a beneficiary from Alfonso, Cavite.
Beneficiary Elsa Agudo, 49, from Lopez, Quezon, called for the support of the legislators in the institutionalization of the program.
“Mas marami pa ang matutulungan ng programang ito at sana ay hindi ito magamit sa pansarili at pampulitikang hangarin,” Agudo said.
Recognition of model families
During the camp, the winners of the 2015 Regional Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya were recognized.
The Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya is a national search for model Pantawid Pamilya families who embody strengthened family relationships and good Filipino values, who religiously comply with all the conditions of the program and who continuously help and inspire the community where they reside.
In the CALABARZON Region, the Gojo Cruz Family from Brgy. Suba in Majayjay, Laguna Province is this year’s Regional Winner. The family is the region’s nominee to the national level.
The Gojo Cruz Family, aside from having an established relationship with God, is known in their community for being open towards helping whoever is in need. The couple connects community residents to livelihood trainings from various organizations while their children are known for their good values and their good performance in school.
Pastor Victor Gojo Cruz, the head of the family, is also a volunteer facilitator of the Pantawid Pamilya’s FDS.
“Nagpapasalamat ang aming pamilya sa karangalang ito. Bagamat hindi po kasingkahulugan ng huwaran ang salitang perpekto, ito po ay nakuha namin dahil sa aming pagtutulungan at sa tamang pagpapalaki ng aming mga anak,” shared Pastor Gojo Cruz.
He also thanked the DSWD and the Pantawid Pamilya program for supporting his family, especially the needs of his children.
“Sana po ay mas marami pang matulungan ang programa,” he added.
Jamlech Iram Gojo Cruz, the eldest child, shared to fellow children to love their parents and value their education to ensure that they can successfully improve their living condition.
Other families recognized were the Magpile Family of Calaca, Batangas; Oabel Family of Paete, Laguna; Agudo Family of Lopez, Quezon; Llamasares Family of Gumaca, Quezon; Losito Family of Lipa City, Batangas; Barredo Family of Pililla, Rizal; Rollon Family of Alfonso, Cavite; and Pasacay Family of Imus City, Cavite.
Pastor Gojo Cruz, in his message to other families, shared that the importance of maintaining good relationship in the family.
“Nagsisimula ang pag-unlad ng isang komunidad sa pamilya. Kaya dapat, patuloy nating pinapatatag ang bawat pamilya,” he said.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human capital development program of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to qualified poor families in support for the health and education of children age zero to 18.#