Misamis Occidental — Dolores Lawas, 36 of Don Victoriano, a hinterland municipality of Misamis Occidental and 117 kilometers off west of Cagayan de Oro City, used to drink alcohol during her idle time with her friends while playing tong-its, a locally known card game.

Dolores disclosed that for her, life seemed meaningless. “As long as I can eat three times a day, it was okay,” she told.

Her husband Romel is a casual employee of the local government unit of Don Victoriano.

But when Dolores became a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, more than five years ago, her life gradually changes.

Pantawid Pamilya is the national government’s assistance to poor families that invests in their children’s education and health.

Dolores claimed that the Family Development Session of Pantawid Pamilya guided her to slowly turn away from vices and focus on caring for her three children.

In 2012, Dolores was able to avail benefits from Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) implemented by the DSWD, a reason for her become more focused in improving the well-being of her family. SLP is the DSWD’s livelihood program that helps poor families rise from poverty through capacity building and provision of seed capita.
Dolores put up a carenderia, a small eatery in her town after receiving P10,000 loan from SLP.

After a year of operation, Dolores expanded her eatery into a refreshment shop. She is now earning P3,500 a week, higher compared to the weekly income of P2,000 during her first year of running her own business.

“I will never stop dreaming and working hard because success comes to those who go for it,” said Dolores in Cebuano.

Dolores added that DSWD touched and changed her life.

Today, there are now 740 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Don Victoriano who are also enjoying the benefits of SLP.###

Written by Oliver Badel Inodeo, DSWD Northern Mindanao