The Dacyon family of Barangay Upper Uma, Lubuagan was one of the poor households in Kalinga province that benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Rosabelle Dacyon, a former 4Ps monitored child and the youngest in the family, can still remember vividly that it was June 2, 2009 when their family became a program beneficiary. She was in Grade 3 at that time and her family was experiencing untold hardships. In an interview with the DSWD’s #Kwento ng Pag-asa at Pagbabago (#KPAP) team, Rosabelle narrated: “Ang buhay po namin nung wala pa […]

There is a popular thought in development work that states: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” For the Talim Island fisherfolk community, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) has taught them how to fish, figuratively and literally. Talim Island is situated in Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country, within the Rizal province border, and with barangays divided into the jurisdiction of two municipalities, Cardona and Binangonan. The Laguna de Bay is a rich […]

“Serving with a heart.” These are the words that Maria Anthea Navales holds close as she navigates through the many challenges in her life. Though she experienced hardships and heart break, Anthea found a new sense of purpose — dedicating herself to serving others and providing assistance to those in need. “Napagdesisyonan ko po na kumuha ng Social Work dahil gusto kong magkaroon ng better na trabaho at umalis sa corporate world dahil paulit-ulit na lang yung nagiging trabaho, walang self-development at hindi ko nakikita kung ano yung gusto ko,” Anthea said in an interview with the third episode of […]

Lubuagan is a 4th class municipality in Kalinga province composed of nine barangays and boasts of a rich Cordillera culture and scenic environment. Despite its lush environment, the landscape of Lubuagan makes it a disaster risk area. According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) list of identified areas susceptible to landslides released in 2021, among the 32 barangays listed in Kalinga were in the municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Rizal, Pinukpuk, Tinglayan, and Lubuagan. Specifically, Barangay Upper Uma in Lubuagan is deemed as vulnerable to high landslide incidents. This was affirmed by Upper Uma Barangay Captain Jeremy Anton as he […]

The month of December is for the celebration of holiday festivities. But for Mary Rose Hermosura from Tondo, Manila, her preparation for the season quickly turned into one of the most challenging periods of her life. On December 15, 2024, Mary Rose’s mother was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center and was diagnosed with a ruptured aneurysm. What followed was a whirlwind of decisions, emotions, and a staggering hospital bill that loomed over their already weary family. “So, that time po, malaki kaagad yung hinihingi sa aming down payment. Na-surgery na po siya, nalagyan siya ng stent dahil po doon […]

In March 2024, members of the Tumana Vegetable Farmers Association (TVFA) from Santa Maria, Bulacan received an unexpected blessing through the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The 60 farmers were given 20 days to work on a project under LAWA at BINHI and were given cash for training and cash for work assistance. According to the DSWD Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Person Arman Jose Manuel, the 20 days were allocated to capacitate the farmers, followed by preparation of […]

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” True to these famous words of South African President Nelson Mandela, the world of the David family has changed with the power of education made possible through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). For Nicole David, a former 4Ps monitored child, the program was pivotal in changing his life and that of his siblings, as they succeeded in overcoming obstacles in pursuing higher education. “Kung hindi dahil sa tulong ng 4P’s siguro hindi ako nakatapos, hindi nakatapos […]

The five Reyes children are now hands-on with the business that their mother, Catalina, built and managed through her hard work and perseverance until her demise in 2020 due to COVID-19. A solo parent raising five children, Catalina Reyes became one of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries from San Simon, Pampanga in 2012. Later on, she became a parent leader and was active in all 4Ps activities. San Simon Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) Head Everlita Baluyut recalled that Catalina was determined to provide for her family as she tried different small businesses. Catalina experienced many […]