Program participants or beneficiaries of government pro-poor initiatives have demonstrated improved involvement in community events and even expressed enhanced relations with other community members.
Moreover, participation in community projects showed a marked increase in self-esteem and family unity among project beneficiaries.
Some beneficiaries have even surpassed program expectations realizing and proving to all that they can do more if they just put their mind and heart into it. When people feel trusted and respected, they are happy and they tend to give more of themselves, motivated to achieve more.
Learning to grow
“Tungod sa kagamay sa akong grado, naningkamot gyud ko makatoon sa seminar atubang sa mga kadagkoan. Nadungagan ang akong kahibalo pinaagi sa seminar. Motambong ko kon dunay ipatawag nga meeting (The fact that I am a mere elementary graduate, I willed myself to learn during seminars which really helped me. Also I attend meetings),” shares Susan Campa, 36, of Palma Gil, Talaingod. A mother of three, Susan is a barangay health worker (BHW). She is also president of Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Association (SKA) , a parent leader of Pantawid Pamilya while her community is a recipient of KALAHI-CIDSS potable water system.
Felix Sotto of Mabuhay, Laak, stressed, “Kinahanglan ang pagsalig sa kaugalingon aron makapadayon. Kon walay disiplina, dili mkapadayon (We need self-confidence to advance. Without discipline, we cannot move forward).” Felix, 60, is a farmer, member of SKA and active in his church.
For Marites Reambonanza of Magdum, Tagum City, her involvement in DSWD’s SKA changed her life socially and economically. “Daghan mi’g nakat-onan ug hinay-hinay pud na-develop among self-confidence. Sa among grupo, maminaw mi sa matag usa aron magkasabot. Kon dunay diperensya, mag-istorya ug motuman pud sa sabot (We learned a lot and gradually developed our self-confidence. We listen to each other and try to patch up whatever our differences).”
Started in December 1996, Magdum SKA has evolved from a mere livelihood group into an active community partner that engages in lending, catering and meat processing. Marites serves as treasurer of Magdum SKA which regularly participates in and supports barangay affairs.
Marites said the capability building opportunities helped members of Magdum SKA to be proactive. Moreover, they have learned project management and simple accounting, and they have become creative in their management style and in formulating organization policies.
Hipolito Molo heads the Garments Services Cooperative of Baguio District, Calinan, Davao City. His group just completed the Module One Basic Business Training conducted by the Philippine Social Enterprise Network (PhilSEN) through DSWD. He is positive his groups will sustain its good record as a SKA whose members have developed socially and economically with their garments and plastic bag production ventures.
“Anam-anam naabri ang huna-huna. Nahagit ko nga kahibalo diay ko (Gradually my mind broadened. I was amazed of my ability),” recounts Joan Emely Duran, 28, and a high school graduate from Brgy. Amorcruz, Laak. Joan also receives subsidy from Pantawid Pamilya.
Janebeth Engalan, SKA treasurer also of Amorcruz, Laak and secretary of Pantawid shared, “Nadugangan ang akong kahibalo. Kon wala ko kaapil sa SKA, wala ko kahibalo pag-process sa banko (I’ve learned more. Had I not joined SKA, I wouldn’t have known how to transact in a bank).”
For Agnes Veñalon, president of SKMS SEA Kabayan, Matina, Davao City, “Sa una, wala gayod mi pagpakabana. Nakalihok kami sa among kaugalingong negosyo tungod sa DSWD. Nahimamat namo ang mga tawo nga wala pa namo mailhan. Karon kahibalo na mi mosayaw, kanta, mo-apil og sports activities ug mo-socialize (We were indifferent at first. Then DSWD taught us basic business skills. We met new people and learned to dance, sing, join sports activities and socialize).”
Way of life
For most of the recipients, their involvement in government programs and even in non-government initiatives has developed them to really stand up and speak for themselves. Monthly or weekly meetings are a treat they come to look forward to and for some, these events have become a way of life.
“Daghan makat-onan sa kada bulan nga FDS (I’ve learned so much from the monthly FDS –Family Development Session of Pantawid Pamilya),” admits Conchita Lagoy, 51. Conchita is a BHW, secretary to SKA Sto. Nino in Talaingod and a Pantawid parent leader.
Maribeth Tibay, 31, from Salawao, Talaingod recounts, “Ang eskwelahan napuno og tawo ug and health center napuno pud og tawo. Bisan unsa kalayo baktason para moadto gyud og health center (The school and health center were filled up. Despite the distance, people would hike just to reach the health center).” A farmer, Maribeth is also a Pantawid parent leader and treasurer of Sto. Nino SKA. Her community now enjoys a potable water system through KALAHI-CIDSS which also brought a community library, tribal housing units, corn mills, day care centers, among others to the people of Talaingod.
Magdum SKA president, Angelina Birondo admits, they have succeeded because they are always willing to listen and learn from DSWD project development officers assigned in their area. She said she has learned to share and cooperate in a group atmosphere. Likewise, she has developed high regard for herself and has learned to understand and appreciate her fellow members.
Florencia Ponte of Magdum SKA used to raise hogs and was too shy to even just talk to other people much more attend meetings. Her friends in the group helped her overcome this by making her speak out her mind, and giving her the responsibility to manage the funds for their Christmas party. She said she has earned their trust and they earned her respect. Now, she has no reason to be timid. She has improved and her life is much better and she always looks forward to their Tuesday meetings.
Giving back
As program recipients immerse and learn from community projects, they commit to continue their involvement and support. Maribeth said she’ll work harder, attend trainings, be always active and learn to socialize while Susan promised to conform to program policy and be a model recipient. Morever, she would encourage others to attend assemblies and not be absent.
Conchita Lagoy, a BHW, parent leader for Pantawid and secretary to Sto. Nino SKA in Talaingod, shares Susan’s enthusiasm to adhere to program conditions and remain an active project member. “Magtuman gyud sa mga pamalaod. Kogihan ko motambong ug mopa-ambit sa kauban. Kinahanglan mag-aktibo sa buluhaton sa barangay aron masayod sa mga kalihokan (I really follow rules, attend meetings and share what I know. We need to be mindful of barangay affairs so we’ll be informed).” Conchita hopes to attend more livelihood seminars.
Further, Maribeth assured, “Maningkamot ko nga dili masayang ang hinabang sa gobyerno para sa amoa (I will strive so that government assistance will not be in vain).”
Teresita Cadungog of Palma Gil, Talaingod said she will share her time and be socially active. She says she is mindful of her obligations. Teresita is treasurer of Pantawid and a member of SKA.
As GKK president, Pantawid parent leader and SKA president, Lilan Libayao said she will permanently be active in community undertakings. She also promised, “Mapadayon ang maayong prinsipyo ug batasan (Continue to radiate fine attitude and values).” Lilan hails from JBL, Talaingod.
Other poor communities in the cities of Tagum and Davao, Laak, Talaingod and other municipalities in Davao Region also enjoy capital assistance through Sustainable Livelihood Program, sub-projects of KALAHI-CIDSS, subsidy from Pantawid Pamilya, hot meals through Supplementary Feeding, Social Pension for indigent senior citizens, Rice Subsidy for farmers and fisherfolks, among others. (DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron)
