Deputy Speaker Raul Daza,Northern Samar’s first congressional district representative this week dared Nortehanons to struggle for their dignity, by starting with their children, because as he said, they are sensible investments for their future and that of their children’s children.

The deputy speaker, who is one of the champions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has been expressive of the Department’s PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM as a good beginning towards a better quality of life.

The cash grants that the national government has been distributing to the poorest of poor families, have been enabling their children to be alive, alert, and enthusiastic … to learn. “How can a child be interested with school if he comes out of the house with an empty stomach,?   the legislator said.

He stressed that early childhood care and development, with attention on the health/nutrition and education of children, is essential so that the cycle of poverty within the family will be put to an end. “We should build people first before we build structures, the solon pointed out.

The deputy speaker, however, emphasized that parents of PANTAWID PAMILYA beneficiaries should be aware of the intentions of the program. The official questioned, that if government is serious at uplifting them from their present miserable state, why should they take it lightly if it is for their own sake.

Deputy Speaker Daza, one of the country’s seasoned public official, is much concerned about sustaining the benefits the program recipients are currently getting, considering the short span of the program. At the end of the five – year term, the beneficiaries are expected to be active promoters of development.

Being a strong advocate of social welfare and development himself, he has worked for the engagement of his province with Grameen Bank of India and the DSWD, for livelihood funding. He said that the purpose of the program is to be able to provide additional capital for the beneficiaries such that they will be liberated from being “subsidy dependents.”

The deputy speaker is encouraging fellow Nortehanons and countrymen, in general, to keep their dignity by striving to having a more decent life. He stated that the poor should not allow themselves to be looked down upon; it is their choice whether to give up or to speed up !