Roxas, Palawan – The Herrera family, a household beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Barangay Tagumpay, Roxas, Palawan, has waived their membership in the program since their lives are already dramatically improved with the help of 4Ps for 12 years.
“The whole family decided to voluntarily exit the program because it has helped us a lot. We now have the capacity to provide for the needs of the family as well as the education of our youngest. We thought of other worthy families who are more in need to benefit from the cash grants since our family has been successfully helped by the program for a long time (Ang buong pamilya po ang nagdesisyong boluntaryong umalis na sa 4Ps sapagkat malaki na po ang naitulong nito sa amin. Mas may kakayahan na po kami para mapunan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya at ang pag-aaral ng aming bunso. Nais po namin na sa ibang mas higit na nangangailangan na po ipagkaloob ang cash grants sapagkat ang aming pamilya po ay matagumpay nang natulungan ng programa sa mahabang panahon),” Merlinda R. Herrera, a 52-year-old 4Ps grantee, stated.
Merlinda and her husband persevered in life in order for their four children to obtain a degree. Three of them had already graduated and now have their own profession. Their first child, Jorien, is a seaman overseas, the second, Jerlie, is now a Teacher at the Roxas National Comprehensive High School, and the third, Jenlie, is a Mass Communication graduate and a Licensed Professional Teacher. While their youngest son, Johnmer, is currently pursuing his studies as a Senior High School student.
It was only a dream for Merlinda to see her children receiving each of their diplomas on stage, but now she is more than happy seeing her children able to stand on their own feet. “My only dream now is for them to continue their positive outlook in life and to love each other forever (Ang tanging pangarap ko na lamang ay magpatuloy ang kanilang positibong pananaw sa buhay at mahalin nila ang isa’t isa habambuhay), ” she said.
Looking Back to Appreciate the Present
Before becoming a program beneficiary, her family’s situation was difficult even if they tirelessly kept on to earn a living. Merlinda and her husband supported their children’s education by raising pigs and farming in their parents’ paddy fields, which were also their main source of income for their daily needs. That’s why when her family became a 4Ps beneficiary in March 2011, it became easy for them to turn their dreams into reality. The cash grants have helped their children to finish studies. They were able to pay school fees on time and buy new uniforms and school supplies.
Apart from the cash grants they received, Merlinda also learned a lot from being part of the program. She shared, “I was able to improve myself and socialize with others. I became interested in and aware of the rights, issues, and laws involving women and children. Through this, I can teach my children the proper manners and their possible contribution to society, especially their rights as Filipino youth (Naimprove ko ang aking sarili at pakikisalamuha sa iba. Nagkaroon ako ng pakialam at namulat ako sa mga karapatan, batas, at mga usaping nasasangkot ang kababaihan at kabataan. Sa pamamagitan nito ay natuturua ko rin ang mga anak ko ng tamang kaugalian at posibleng kontribusyon sa lipunan lalo’t higit na ang kanilang karapatan bilang isang batang Pilipino).”
One can never pay in gratitude, but one can pay through giving inspiration to someone else in life
In everything that happened to their family from then until now, the love among them continues to prevail over any problem. “Even though we fell several times, we still got up and continued to work hard to make each other’s dreams come true (Ilang beses mang nadapa ay bumangon pa rin kami at nagpatuloy sa pagsusumikap na maisakatuparan ang pangarap ng bawat isa), ” she said.
Herrera expressed her gratitude to DSWD 4Ps as it became their pillar when her family was struggling to finance the schooling of her children. Because of the 4Ps, together with her husband, they had a companion with the same desires for the good future of their children. “I am very grateful that the government has this program — it is a great help to mothers like me who struggles to support their children’s studies all at the same time. Hence, thank you so much. (Nang dahil sa 4Ps, nagkaroon ako ng karamay na may parehong hangarin para sa magandang kinabukasan ng mga anak ko. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat na may ganitong programa ang gobyerno — isang malaking tulong ito sa mga katulad kong ina na nahihirapang suportahan nang sabay-sabay ang pag-aaral ng mga anak. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo,” Herrera stated.
