A family’s decision and commitment to stand on their own

Now that she is a professional teacher, 31-year-old Maria Lhizzel Villalobos is more confident to provide for her family, especially her two children.

With this confidence, Maria Lhizzel gladly withdraws her family as a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which have been helping them support the needs of their children on health and education since 2011.

According to Pantawid Pamilya Municipal Link Vincent de Alday, Maria Lhizzel came to their office last January to personally inform him of the decision.

“Regular na daw ang trabaho n’ya at okay na ang income nila kaya aalis na sila sa programa,” shared de Alday.

In the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, beneficiaries can voluntarily waive from the program if their circumstances change, especially when it comes to their ability to provide for the needs of their children.

Opportunity to change directions

Maria Lhizzel, a resident of Brgy. Subukin in San Juan, Batangas Province, shares that their life was not easy. She used to stay at home and rely mainly on her husband’s income as an on-call driver and mechanic. 

“Nag-uuling kami minsan o kaya ay naglalako ng isda para lamang makaraaos ng pang-araw-araw naming pamumuhay,” shared Maria Lhizzel.

Their being a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya in 2011 greatly helped them provide for their needs.

“Ang cash grant na aking natatanggap sa Pantawid ay inilaan ko talaga sa pag-aaral at iba pang pangangailangan ng aking anak,” shared Maria Lhizzel, who has only one child at that time.

Being a beneficiary of the program also helped her change her views as a parent.

“Sa patuloy kong pagdalo sa Family Development Sessions ay marami akong natutunan. Hinubog ako at binago nito ang aking pananaw,” shared Maria Lhizzel, who added that it is important for parents like her to not remain stagnant and instead find opportunities to improve.

She and her husband, Christian, decided to work together to change their future. Instead of relying on the Pantawid Pamilya program, they decided to bring their future into their own hands.

Maria Lhizzel enrolled in college to earn a degree in elementary education in 2014.

Reaping the results of their sacrifices

“Pinagkasya namin ang kinikita ng aking asawa para sa aming pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan at sa pambayad ng aking tuition,” shared Maria Lhizzel.

Though their finances were a problem, they are grateful that all the needs of their son were provided for by the cash grants they received from the Pantawid Pamilya program.

“Hindi rin naging madali sa akin na maging isang ina at asawa habang nag-aaral dahil kailangan kong pagsabayin ang aking responsibilidad ng pagiging pamilyadong tao at bilang estudyante,” she said.

However, their whole family did not mind the sacrifices and focused on their dream of a better life for all of them.

In 2018, she finished her college education and passed the licensure examination. She immediately applied for teaching jobs in their area.

“Pero hindi naging madali ang aking pag-aapply dahil sa hindi planadong pagbubuntis. Pero dalawang buwan matapos kong manganak, nakatanggap ako ng tawag para maging isang substitute teacher,” she shared.

Today, she holds a permanent teaching post, which helps her bring a regular income for their family and give their family confidence that they can stand on their own.

Despite leaving the Pantawid Pamilya program, Maria Lhizzel remains grateful for the years they received help from the government not only financially but also on providing them opportunities to learn and improve.

“‘Wag nating hayaang sumabay lang tayo sa agos ng buhay. Dapat tayo mismo ang kokontrol ng ating direksyon,” shared Maria Lhizzel, who is proud that her family made a decision and worked towards achieving their dream of a better life.# [with reports from VELDeAlday]