Pantawid Pamilya begets ‘supermoms’ DAVAO City -Being a leader is pure hard work. Hard, tortuous work. As a leader, you are tasked to be the spotlight for your members and guide them every step of the way. A leader must go above and beyond the call of duty just to ensure that things will run as smoothly as possible. Being a mother and a leader, or aptly called a parent leader in Pantawid Pamilya, entails performing the same arduous task twice over. However, beneath all the tough and challenging workload, being a parent leader is a fulfillment in its own noble sense. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program teaches not only responsible parenthood and the value of health and education in the fight against poverty but it also empowers the parent beneficiaries to deviate from their usual housewife tasks. It imparts to them the value of community involvement and leadership in the improvement of their’s and their constituents’ lives. A 52-year old Eliza Bulan of Brgy. Lizada, Toril shares her sentiment in being a parent leader. Eliza has eight children that depend solely on her. Her husband died in an accident in 1993. To make both ends meet, Eliza works two jobs in a day. She sells native delicacies in their neighborhood, cooks meals and peddles them in schools. “Lisod pero ginakaya nako para sa akong mga anak. Kung ginahuna-huna man gud nimo ang kaugmaon sa imong mga anak, mas dali buhaton ug dawaton ang mga butang (It is hard but I am willing to endure it for my children. If you keep in mind that you are doing it for your children’s future, then things are easier to bear and accept),” Eliza cried out. To top it all, Eliza was also tasked as a parent leader in their barangay. She has 36 members that look up to her for guidance and leadership. “Kung lisod mahimong inahan mas lisod mahimong parent leader. Mahadlok ka magkamali kay ikaw man ang ginasaligan sa imong mga miyembro (If it is hard to be a mother then it is much harder to be a parent leader. You are afraid to commit mistakes because your members depend on you on a lot of things),” Eliza added. “Wala ko nagmahay nga mapili nga parent leader. Dako kaayo kini nga oportunidad para sa akoa (I do not have regrets that I was chosen as a parent leader. It has been a huge help to me),” declared Eliza. Since Pantawid Pamilya came to their lives, Eliza’s four schooling children have never been more excited in going to school. “Sila pa gani pirmaninte ang gapahinumdum sa akoa nga tumanon gyud ang mga kondisyones sa Pantawid Pamilya (They are even the ones who remind me to comply with the Pantawid Pamilya conditionalities),” she concluded. Forty-one year-old Venus Timbal is another epitome of a Pantawid Pamilya supermom. Venus works as a tricycle driver in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Lizada. Her P150-earning a day is used to support their daily needs. Her husband, who works as a welder, takes care of the other essential needs of their family. Venus is also a parent leader with 36 members. She shares it is a rare privilege to be chosen as one. “Nalipay ko nga mahimong instrumento sa panaghiusa sa akong mga sakop diri sa amoang barangay (I am happy to be an instrument of unity among my members here in our barangay),” Venus grinned. Aside from the financial assistance that Pantawid Pamilya has been extending to them, Venus observed that Pantawid beneficiaries have formed some kind of a special bond. “Kung sa una dili gyud mi magkaila ug magtinagdanay, sukad niabot ang Pantawid mas naging close mi (When before we barely even know each other much less speak to each other, but now with Pantawid we became close), Venus added. “Ang Pantawid Pamilya dili lang usa ka conditional cash transfer nga programa, mitabang pud kini sa amoa isip indibidwal, isip lumulupyo sa among barangay ug isip inahan sa amoang mga anak pinaagi sa pag-pahinumdum sa amoa sa amoang mga responsibilidad (Pantawid is more than just a conditional cash transfer program, it also helped us as individuals, as citizens of our barangay and as mothers by reminding us of our responsibilities),” the two supermoms chorused. Pantawid Pamilya or the “conditional cash transfer program” of the government aims to help improve the quality of life of the identified poorest households in the country. It provides financial assistance to help sustain the health, nutrition and education needs particularly of children from ages 0 to 14 years old. The program also promotes responsible parenthood through the monthly Family Development Sessions.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 06:50:30 +0000
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