She used to be a housewife whose days were limited inside the confines of their cramped home in a squatters’ area in Tondo, Manila. Her days would revolve around constantly worrying about their day-to-day finances and simply waiting for her husband’s income as a truck driver to provide for their needs.

Twelve years later, Medilyn Indig, a caregiver and now a resident of Brgy. San Antonio in San Pedro City, Laguna, describes her transformation as someone who finally gained ‘power.’

For Medilyn, her ‘power’ is her confidence in herself that she can finally contribute in providing for the needs of their two children and also be able to lead their community, even in the smallest of ways.

The start of her transformation

In 2010, Medilyn’s family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). 

“‘Yung nakukuha naming grant mula sa 4Ps, nakalaan lang talaga para sa pag-aaral at kalusugan ng mga bata,” shared Medilyn, who added that the program took off most of her financial worries back then.

The health of their children also became a priority in their household.

“Na-momonitor na namin ‘yung timbang nila dahil may checkup monthly. Never naming ginawa ‘yun dati kasi natitimbang lang sila ‘pag may sakit sila,” she shared.

As a result, they are able to ensure the vaccination, deworming, and also the provision of nutritious food and vitamins to their children.

Little did Medilyn expect that more than the cash grants from the program, the 4Ps also paved the way to a lot of learning opportunities for her.

“Nagkaroon din ang mga magulang na tulad ko ng edukasyon. Natulungan kaming gawing mas matibay ang aming samahan sa pamilya at magkaroon ng pakialam sa aming komunidad sa pamamagitan ng aming mga pinag-aaralan sa FDS [Family Development Sessions],” shared Medilyn.

She was also chosen as a parent leader of the group of 4Ps beneficiaries in their area. As a leader, she learned how to deal with all kinds of people and lead them into making good decisions, especially as beneficiaries of the program.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga members ko na habang member tayo ng 4Ps, lahat ng oportunidad na ibinibigay, i-avail ninyo. ‘Wag n’yong sayangin ang tulong dahil napakaraming gustong maging benepisyaryo pero hindi nabibigyan ng chance,” she shared.

Taking advantage of all opportunities

According to Medilyn, one of the greatest opportunities that came to her as a beneficiary of the 4Ps is being qualified as a participant in the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The SLP is a program of the DSWD that capacitates participants to engage in income-generating activities through micro-enterprise development, skills training, and employment facilitation. Members of 4Ps households are prioritized in this program to provide opportunities for 4Ps households to improve their living conditions.

In 2016, Medilyn availed of the SLP’s skills training program  where she studied and gained a TESDA certification on Caregiving.

“Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong makapag-aral nang libre, na sagot ng gobyerno. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ako ng sarili kong hanapbuhay,” said Medilyn, who easily got caregiving jobs after passing the program.

From a full-time housewife, she finally got part-time and later on full-time caregiver jobs.

“Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam na kumikita ka ng sarili mong pera. ‘Yung hindi ka nag-aantay ng sahod ng asawa. Talagang nakakatulong na ako sa aking asawa at kaya na naming mag-provide para sa mga gusto ng mga bata,” she proudly shared.

Today, Medilyn takes pride that they are able to improve their house as well as support the dreams of her children. Her eldest is now in second year college taking Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation while her youngest is in Grade 11.

“Tiwala akong magiging maayos ang future ng mga anak ko,” Medilyn shared.

Proud 4Ps beneficiary

In 2022, Medilyn’s family graduated as a beneficiary of the 4Ps due to their improved living condition. Looking at their life now, Medilyn is a proud beneficiary of the program.

“Naging successful ‘yung program sa amin. Sa ilang taong pagiging benepisyaryo namin, masasabi kong wala kaming sinayang. Ang laki po talagang pagbabago ang nangyari sa aming pamilya,” a grateful Medilyn shared.

For her, graduating from the program is a big accomplishment as a beneficiary.

“Kapag ilang taon ka na sa programa at hindi ka pa guma-graduate, feeling ko, walang improvement sa buhay. Saan napupunta ‘yung mga tinutulong sa’yo,” said Medilyn, who understands that the graduation from the program determines the program’s success in the lives of the beneficiaries.

For almost a year that she is no longer a beneficiary of the program, Medilyn stands proud and confident of their future, especially that her experiences as a 4Ps beneficiary prepared her to become a better mother and member of their community.#