Tacloban City, Leyte- Laughter filled the crowded People’s Center as more than 5,500 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, wives, husbands, and children from all over the region, gathered to celebrate the Pantawid Pamilya National Family Day and Convergence Caravan last September 28, 2014.
Present in the event were DSWD Assistant Secretary for Protective Programs, Vilma Cabrera, DSWD field office Regional Director Nestor Ramos and other officials, Department of Health Regional (DOH) Director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., Department of Education (DEPED) Chief of Technical Assistance Division, Cesar Verunque, representatives from Philhealth, DILG, DTI, TESDA, BPI Globe, Police Regional Office (PRO), Jose Rizal Elementary School Band, PRO 8 Band, Leyte Normal University Singing Rondalla, media partners from Philippine News Agency, ATV24, Radyo Abante, Kaugop Radio, Radyo Bombo, and DYVL Aksyon Radyo.
The said event was intended to create awareness about the importance of the family as the basic unit of the society and to launch the music video of the Kaya Ko ang Pagbabago campaign of the department.
The family of 2014 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, Jaime Concon (from Macarthur, Leyte), and the families of provincial awardees Nenita Basal (Catbalogan, Samar), Arlene Nartia (Naval, Biliran), Minda Ypulong (San Roque, Northern Samar), and Tita Berondo (San Juan, Southern Leyte); as well as the 2014 exemplary children, namely, Ryan Christian Caudilla (Sta. Rita, Samar), Lyka Janina E. Brigole (Naval, Biliran), Jhon G. Ayop (Malitbog, Southern Leyte), Noel Justine Lapada (Borongan, Eastern Samar), Felixberto Miranda (Macarthur, Leyte), and Lailanie Masdo (San Vicente, Northern Samar).
The partner beneficiaries carried with them colorful flaglets and balloons which they wave so often when responding to the hosts and the guests on stage, especially during the “Talakayang Pantawid Pamilya”.
“Kaya ko ang pagbabago dahil mahal ko ang aking Pamilya at nakikiisa kami sa gawain at mithiin ng ating pamahalaan, ng DSWD, at ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” expressed by Jaime Concon, Regional Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya winner.
Ryan Christian Caudilla, 2014 exemplary child, when asked how valuable education is, shared that, “Importante po ang edukasyon sapagkat ito ang susi sa ating kaunlaran at ito ang puputol sa paulit-ulit na kahirapan (Education is valuable because it is the key to progress and it will break the continuous cycle of poverty).”
Caudilla even moved the crowd when he conveyed his commitment towards change, “Kaya ko ang pagbabago dahil mahal ko ang aking ina, ang aking ama, at ang aking mga kapatid; at magsisikap ako na makapagtapos sa aking pag-aaral upang mabigyan ko ng magandang buhay ang aking pamilya ().”
Another guest was Junalyn Palco, an Expanded Students’ Grant-in-Aide Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) graduate and now working as an assistant to the ESGP-PA coordinator at Visayas State University in Baybay, Leyte imparted how the said scholarship program helped her graduate, and emphasized that finishing studies is the first step to success and realizing one’s dreams.
This event is a call to everyone to join a very huge and valuable partnership and convergence, in creating positive changes, especially in the lives of our children, particularly those who belong to very poor families.
As of September 15, 2014, Pantawid Pamilya covers 270,173 household beneficiaries in Region VIII.###