Barely a month into her new job as a janitress, Manelyn Vino was forced to stay home with her daughters as the government implemented the enhanced community quarantine in the entirety of Luzon as a response to the Covid-19 health situation.

Manelyn was filled with worry, especially that she is raising her three children alone.

“Nag-aalala po ako kasi hindi pa po ako nasahod dun sa bago kong trabaho. Kahit naman po may kaunti kaming ipon, hindi po iyon sapat at mauubos rin po iyon agad kung magpapatuloy pong wala akong kinikita,” shared Manelyn, a resident of Brgy. Ambulong in Batangas City.

Aside from her savings, they also relied on the relief goods provided by the local government for their daily sustenance.

“Talagang sobra po kaming nagtitipid. Malaking pasasalamat ko rin po sa mga kamag-anak namin kasi binibigyan nila kami ng ulam kahit papaano,” Manelyn said.

She even strategized on how they can save with the daily expenses and possibly extend her savings. She gave up using gas, and instead use wood, for their daily food preparations.

When she heard about the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) being implemented by the national government for affected low-income families like them, Manelyn made sure that she is assessed in their barangay.

Filling out the Social Amelioration Card (SAC), she already felt relieved.

Since Manelyn is a solo parent and is employed as a reliever-janitress only, her family qualified to receive the PhP6,500 cash subsidy under the program.

“Nung matanggap ko na po ang pera, napakalaking gaan po sa loob ang aking naramdaman. Nabawasan po ang aking pag-aalala kung paano ko po bubuhayin ang aking pamilya sa mga susunod pang araw,” Manelyn shared.

She immediately used the cash she received to buy groceries and other necessities at home.

“Nagtago rin po ako ng kaunti para po kung sakali man pong wala nang quarantine, pwede ko pa po itong gamiting pambayad sa kuryente at tubig,” she said.

In the meantime, Manelyn is grateful that she does not have to worry about the next few weeks, especially in providing for the needs of her daughters.

“Para po sa akin, napakalaking tulong po ng SAP lalo na para sa aming mga mahihirap at single parents. Hindi lamang po kagaanan sa pang-araw-araw ang naidulot nito kundi kagaanan na rin po sa aming kalooban bilang magulang ngayong may krisis.” Manelyn shared.

Today, since their province is already under general community quarantine, Manelyn is focusing on getting ready to work again just in case she is called to report to work again. Although she admits that she is worried if she could still continue with her job, Manelyn is positive that she can find a way to financially recover from the community quarantine through her undying persistence to give her daughters a good life.***