Valuable life lessons from the 4Ps

For a mother of three who has waited to become a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for the longest time, finally being listed as a beneficiary is a great relief.

Cecilia Royo, 35, a resident of Brgy. Banaba Kanluran in Batangas City, cannot hide her gratitude.

“Sa wakas, may makakatulong kaming mag-asawa kahit sa pag-aaral man lang ng mga bata,” she shared.

However, for Cecilia, the 4Ps is more than just a source of financial support for their family. In the almost two years of being a beneficiary of the program, Cecilia takes pride in how fruitful her learnings are as a wife, a mother, and surprisingly as a member of their community.

Changing perspectives

“Napakahirap ng buhay lalo kung may tatlong anak na bubuhayin at pag-aaralin. Kahit anong kayod ay kulang pa rin para sa aming pangangailangan,” shared Cecilia, who owns a small ‘sari-sari’ store.

Cecilia added that there were a lot of times that they fought over Dennis’ insufficient income as a tricycle driver.

“Naranasan din naming kumuha ng talong sa tanim ng kapitbahay nang walang paalam para lang may maiulam. At ‘pag walang maibili ng gatas, naranasan naming padedehin ang anak namin ng calamansi juice,” she recalled.

Cecilia admitted that their situation made her wish to become a beneficiary of the 4Ps.

“Naririnig-rinig ko na nagbibigay ng financial assistance ‘yung programa. Lagi kong tanong kung bakit parang pinipili lang ang sinasali. Mukhang kailangang may backer para mapili,” she shared.

Finally, in December 2021, her family was listed as a beneficiary of the program. From this point onwards, a lot of her perceptions have changed.

“Mayroon palang proseso na sinusunod para mapabilang sa 4Ps. Hindi pala ito basta-basta na p’wede na lang mag-apply,” shared Cecilia, who added that their family underwent an assessment under the DSWD’s Listahanan targeting system where their family was categorized as poor.

But other than the financial assistance, what Cecilia appreciated more are the lessons she picked up from the monthly learning sessions. 

“Nadadagdagan ‘yung kaalaman ko, marami akong natutunan dahil sa pag-attend ko mga FDS [Family Development Sessions],” she shared.

The FDS is a monthly learning session provided to 4Ps parent-grantees as part of their co-responsibilities with the program. The FDS teaches various topics every month covering improving family relations, budget management, and disaster preparedness among others.

Valuable lessons from the 4Ps

“Natutunan ko sa FDS ang tamang pagba-budget ng pera. Mas priority dapat ang needs ng aking pamilya bago ang ibang bagay. Kaya naman kahit papaano ay hindi na kami kinakapos sa budget dahil sinisigurado ko na may babaunin ang mga bata at may makakain kaming pamilya,” she shared.

Further, Cecilia has managed to keep her small ‘sari-sari’ store afloat these days.

“Dati kasi ay parang Christmas light, patay-sindi ‘yung tindahan ko,” she shared.

Cecilia also takes pride that in the short span of time that she became a beneficiary of the program, a lot has changed in their family.

“Naging mas malapit na kami sa isa’t isa, lalong lalo na ‘yung mga anak ko,” she added.

Through the FDS, Cecilia learned how to properly communicate with her husband and her children as well as how to discipline them.

“Dati po kasi ako ay namamalo at laging pabulyaw sa aking mga anak. Simula ‘nung nakakausap ko na sila nang maayos, naging ‘open’ na sila sa akin at para na kaming magkakaibigan,” she proudly shared.

Being a beneficiary of the 4Ps also opened a lot of opportunities for her to contribute to their community, especially that she is the chosen parent leader among the 4Ps parent-grantees in their area.

As a leader, she takes initiative in various activities such as clean-up drives and Brigada Eskwela as well as guides her members in complying with their co-responsibilities with the program.

For Cecilia, the lessons and experiences from the 4Ps brought valuable contributions in their life moving forward. 

“Hindi kami susuko (sa hamon ng buhay) dahil kung susuko kami, parang isinuko na rin namin ang kinabukasan ng aming mga anak,” shared Cecilia, who added that they will continue working towards achieving their dreams for their children.# [with reports from MMNAPerez]