PONTEVEDRA, Capiz – Persons with disabilities (PWDs) need extra love and care. Their rights should be protected and respected by everyone. However, despite the imperfections of life, having hope is not a bad thing.

Just like 16-year-old Jorbin B. Dapat, Jr. who lives in the Municipality in Pontevedra in Capiz and is a former monitored child of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Jorbin has autism and is visually impaired. Despite his present situation, the people around him describe Jorbin as someone unique, loving, caring, joyful, and someone positive which helps brighten even the worst days. This is because he is pampered with love and support from his family who recently graduated from the program due to Level 3 or self-sufficiency.

They have been a beneficiary for almost 13 years now since 2011. Aside from Jorbin who was the last monitored child, the program formerly monitored two more siblings out of five. Jorbin is now Grade V as a Special Education (SPED) student. Despite the hurdles, Jorbin’s heart remains unbroken because of the full support of his family and the support given by the government through the 4Ps.

The father Jorbin, Sr. is a seasonal fisherman and a job hire of the Local Government Unit of Pontevedra. The thundering waves pose no threat to a hardworking man who wishes for a bright future for his loving wife and children. If luck is on their side, the fish caught by him would be sold by his wife Marilyn in the nearby market. However, the family’s current source of income is nipa weaving.

Marilyn was a former 4Ps Parent Leader. Through this, she learned a lot about supporting and providing for her family because of the program. She expressed her gratitude towards the program and how of a big help it is to her family and most especially to her PWD son. For Marilyn, she brings back the blessing she received through voluntarily lending a hand to her community who are also in dire need of assistance.

“I am grateful for all the blessings I have received from 4Ps. Through this, I was able to support my children’s education and meet their needs. My advice to the families who are having a hard time, always remember that God will never leave you. Do your best and God will do the rest,” she said.

Jorbin Jr. is proof that life may cause a lot of hardship and push through a lot of downfalls but those are what make a family stronger as time goes by. His family’s love and support are what made him see the world in a different shade. Because a family’s embrace is a powerful weapon against any barrier.

To recall, the family is the 2023 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 1st Runner-up in the regional search. (Written by: WVSU Intern Sherelyn Bonotano, AB Journalism)