MURCIA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – “The family that prays together, stays together.”
This is the strong matra of Bohol couple Jocelyn and Allan of Brgy. Cansilayan, Murcia, Negros Occidental who was blessed with seven children. For them, it is their faith that keeps their family strong and better foundation for their children’s future.
The mother Jocelyn, 48, earned an associate degree of Junior Secretarial but was not able to find a stable job. Instead, she engaged in business entrepreneur. On the other hand, her husband took a two-year refrigeration course but did not finish due to financial problem.
The couple met in a work place, as they are both an agent of funeral services. The courtship did not take longer and they decided to exchange I Do’s. Jocelyn gave birth to their first born until it reaches to seven children. However, life is not that easy for them as their family is getting bigger. Jocelyn took the courage to start a small business by selling vegetables, frozen food, fish and cooked food to augment the meager income of her husband as a repairman in an appliance center.
Later on the family businesses are improving and getting bigger. They engaged again into hog and livestock raising. The couple is working together hand in hand with the help of their children so they could survive themselves from the extreme poverty.
FRUIT OF HARD LABOR
The family perseverance finally paid off after one of their children had already finished college and now working.
Christine, the eldest of siblings finished Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Carlos Hilado Memorial State College as a scholar of Cong. Albee Benitez. She passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in October 2015 and now teaching in a tutorial school.
The second child, Michelle Ann is currently a 3rd year student in CHMSC taking up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Allen, Aljun and Joanne are currently enrolled in Cansilayan National High School while Christian and Andren are also enrolled in Cansilayan Elementary School.
The couple always teach their children the value of education for they have no wealth to inherit for their children.
PARENT LEADER
Jocelyn, also played a big role in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. She is currently a Parent Leader and a volunteer of CHT Partner. Jocelyn is always maximizing her time to do both her responsibility at home and community.
As a grantee, Jocelyn always make sure that her children are compliant in school by strictly monitoring them despite of her busy day to day activities and as a Parent leader, she always helps and reminds her members of the conditions of the program.
The family is always thankful with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program not only because it helps them financially but it reminds them that there is always hope in everything for as long as they are doing their part to improve the quality of their life.
Aside from the cash grants, the grantee is also a beneficiary of the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) project by availing the cash assistance of P5,000.00, as additional capital seed for the existing family business.//MGC (with reports from PDO II Regina Yosores).