It has always been the dream of Cherry and her husband Virgilio Canales to cross poverty toward Self-Sufficiency level of well-being. Both of them tried their best to provide for the needs of their four (4)children: Cherry had to buy and sell copra while Virgilio would do sideline work like carpentry. Their income was not enough to sustain the increasing needs of their family especially since all of their children had to go to school. Their distress over financial matters led them to constant arguments and misunderstandings. With all the challenges coming their way, they thought that their dreams of getting out of poverty would just disappear like water that runs through one’s hands.
Cherry said “Kakukuri gud han amon kabutangan han waray pa ini nga programa, Usahay nagdudurungan an gastos ngan diri ako maaram kon hahain ako kukuha. [Our situation was really hard when we were not still a program beneficiary. Sometimes, I do not know where will I get the payment to all the bills and expenses.”
4Ps: AN AUGMENTATION TOWARDS EDUCATION, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH.
It was a blessing for the family when they were registered as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary in 2012. When their family became part of the program, it augmented the couple’s minimal income.
According to Cherry, the program was a big help to the family because the grant they received gave them the opportunity to buy healthy and nutritious foods for their children. Also, the family no longer had a problem with securing rice on the table because the program provided its grantees like them with rice subsidies. Equally significant impact of the program is helping the children continue their studies. The grants they receive were budgeted properly. No cents of the grants they receive were used in buying things which were not useful to their education.
Through the financial augmentation of 4Ps, two of their children graduated in college and now earning a living. Charence Mae is already a Police Officer in Tarlac City while Cherry Belle works in a pawnshop in Manila. The two of them are supporting their parents and younger siblings to finish their studies too.
GAINS FROM ATTENDING FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SESSION
The Family Development Session (FDS) is a big impact for Cherry and her family. Through the FDS, Cherry learned different topics such as Financial Literacy and the importance of saving money. Moreover, she also learned from Sessions about improving their family relationship; improving interpersonal skills; adopting good ties and fostering respect to one another. She applied all these learnings in her day-to-day life.
Together with her children, Cherry and Virgilio managed to save money and built their sari-sari store. Further, Cherry’s active participation in the FDS molded her interpersonal and networking skill. These skills she attained led her to be elected as barangay official in her locality. For the family, the program is not only about the cash grants they received but the learnings they gained from every topic discussed during the monthly FDS.
ELIMINATING DEPENDENCY ON THE PROGRAM
The family knew they will soon graduate from the program. Thus, they judiciously manage the gains the program bestows to them: the knowledge, the skills, the opportunities and grants.
Presently, the family’s sari-sari store is still existing and the income they get from it helps them a lot to sustain their daily consumption. Cherry continues to serve as barangay official and also remains to buy and sell copra. On the other hand, Virgilio still does carpentry work.
Their situation is now getting better. In fact, the family is now tagged as “non-poor” and attained a Self-Sufficiency level of well-being according to the recently conducted Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) assessment. The Canales family is now ready to exit from the program.
With God’s grace, guidance and perfect timing, little by little the Canales Family’s dream is now coming into reality. Coupled with sheer determination, perseverance and hard-work, more of their aspirations for their family will be possible to attain.
