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Helen Labuga, 49, of Barangay Pacita, Lala, Lanao del Norte, would always have a busy day entertaining her constituents and farm workers daily.

Barangay Pacita Kagawad Helen Labuga, a former 4Ps beneficiary, tends to her family’s thriving bangus pens in Lala, Lanao del Norte, showcasing her dedication to sustainable aquaculture and the journey from hardship to success.

Helen is the Barangay Pacita Kagawad and owner of hectares of Bagus and Prawn Farms.

Once solely reliant on the meager income from harvesting freshwater shrimp, known locally as ulang, her life took a drastic turn when her partner, Diego, succumbed to addiction.

Diego Labuga, a former Overseas Filipino Worker in Saudi Arabia, diligently cares for his prawn farms, embodying the resilience and hard work that transformed his family’s future.

With the weight of her family’s future resting on her shoulders, Helen faced the daunting decision to leave, seeking a path free from turmoil.

In 2011, Helen found refuge in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a government initiative aimed at alleviating poverty. The program offered financial assistance, a lifeline that helped her navigate the turbulent waters of single parenthood.

With this newfound support, Helen began attending Family Development Sessions (FDS), where she learned essential life skills and ignited a spark of change in Diego.

Despite facing numerous challenges, the Labuga couple remains resilient, drawing strength from the lessons learned during the 4Ps Family Development Sessions.

Through these sessions, Diego underwent a profound transformation. He recognized the importance of family and responsibility, ultimately leading him to make a significant sacrifice for their future.

Leaving his family behind, he ventured to Saudi Arabia in search of better opportunities, enduring the trials of separation to provide for Helen and their children.

The years have passed, and each Diego’s remittance he sent home became an investment in their children’s education, property, and the care of their special-needs child.

Their hard work bore fruit as their eldest child graduated with a degree in Nautical Science and secured a position as a seawoman on an international vessel.

Helen, too, rose to prominence, serving as a Barangay Councilor and guiding her community with newfound leadership skills.

The Labuga couple carefully cages the bangus fingerlings, preparing to transfer them to their other fish ponds as part of their sustainable aquaculture practices.

The Labuga couple caged the Bangus Fingerlings as they prepare to transfer it to the other fish ponds.

Together, Helen and Diego have turned their fortunes around.

Today, they proudly own several hectares of prawn and bangus (milkfish) farms, transforming from laborers into successful entrepreneurs. Their journey, marked by the challenges they overcame, is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and opportunity.

As they exit the program, Helen and Diego are not just a success story—they are inspirations for others facing similar struggles. They are committed to paying it forward, ready to extend a helping hand to those in need.

“Our journey has taught us that anything is possible with love, resilience, and the belief in a brighter tomorrow,” Helen reflects.

Their narrative, woven together by sacrifice and determination, exemplifies the mission of the 4Ps program: uplifting Filipino families from poverty and empowering them to create their paths to success.

In a world often overshadowed by despair, Helen and Diego’s family is a reminder that through hardship can come incredible growth, and with the proper support, dreams can flourish.

Their story inspires their community and ignites a collective hope for a future filled with promise.

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