“Maupay na paglakat. Diri na makuri, labi na ha amon nga mga may edad na. Kay diri na madalunot  (It feels good to walk. It’s no longer difficult, especially for the elderly citizens because it’s not slippery anymore)”, says Teresita  Cartalla of Barangay Hiagsan, Barugo in Leyte, after she experienced walking through the concreted farm-to-market-road sub-project of the Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Teresita joined the inauguration and hand-over of the sub-project last September 19, 2013. At 73, she was noticeably one of the oldest individuals who attended the activity. What was not noticeable was Teresita being one of the most active residents participating in community activities such as meetings and barangay assemblies. Her husband Arnulfo, who is just same as her age, is a member of the Monitoring and Inspection Team (MIT).

According to their Community Facilitator, Paulete Palacio, the townsfolk have chosen Arnulfo to be part of the MIT because they acknowledge the couple’s drive and sense of responsibility as elders in the community. Palacio said that despite of their age, they exert effort unconditionally for the welfare of the people and barangay improvement.

Teresita is one of the 43 household beneficiaries of the said barangay for the Kalahi-CIDSS sub-project, and a mother grantee of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya). She explained that if it was not for the programs of the DSWD, they could not even provide and sustain the needs of their 13-year-old granddaughter at school. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she recalls how her granddaughter became an orphan. According to her, the mother of her grandchild died after giving birth, while the father left without a word. Since then, she and her husband stood as parents to her. Her husband still struggles to meet their daily needs as a laborer.

She shared that at the start of the sub-project implementation, her husband already wanted to serve as one of the volunteers. As senior citizens, they both believe that they still play an important role in decision making and community involvement. Teresita also expressed how she wished they will also be covered by the DSWD Social Pension Program.

During the inauguration, the elderly residents like Teresita expressed their gratitude for how the Kalahi CIDSS and other DSWD programs have reached their barangay.  They may grow old and leave the younger generations behind, but this project remains. Such is a souvenir of their hard work and a memory for them to cherish as a community working as one.