4Ps Monitored Child is Now a Double Licensed Professional
Testimony by Edgar S. Malayo
4Ps Beneficiary
TOBIAS, Antique – My name is Edgar S. Malayo. I was born on August 9, 2000 in Caloocan City, Metro Manila. Before pursuing a job in Metro Manila, I spent nearly my entire life in the province of Antique. I’m the fourth child in a family of five. My father Edgardo is currently a factory worker. My mother Mary Jane passed away when I was 21 years old due to several health complications. With this piece, I will share my journey as a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary.
Living in a rural area, a family led by an optimistic mother is open to so many challenges. We were living in Masayo, Tobias Fornier, Antique back then. One would think that a provincial life is a dream in today’s mindset. However, with my family it comes with the challenges of sustaining the education of a family of five, being burdened by the lumping idea of debts unpaid, and the constant shaming and belittlement taken from these.
With the exception of my father, the whole family resided in the humble abode of my uncle, Jose Arnel Sicorsicor. My father stayed in Manila to pursue his job as a factory worker to continuously sustain our family’s needs. It was not enough, as my mother would approach my relatives to request for money, sometimes receiving reprimands for the growing debt. To pay for my elder siblings’ school projects and fees, my mother had to do this; even borrowing for food from the neighborhood stores for their packed lunch. As a result, we learned to be thrifty even when our allowance was not that much. My three older siblings in high school would receive Php10.00 or Php20.00 pesos each for their daily allowance while me and my younger sister in elementary would receive Php3.00 pesos. We didn’t let it bother us, as we are eager on finishing our studies.
I learned from my mother that the surveying of households for possible beneficiaries of the 4Ps came to ours during the late 2000s. Back then, we were living in a simple nipa hut. Apparently, we were among the impoverished families in our barangay. After a few years, we were informed by the barangay that my family was chosen to become a member of the program. This let out a breath of comfort from my mother as one of her challenges lighten with this good news.
As part of the program, I would occasionally accompany my mother once a month where they would be having Family Development Sessions (FDS). We would then help her accomplish the FDS module thereafter. At that time, my older sister, me, and my youngest sister were the monitored children. With that, the cash grant we receive every two months is a huge help to our family. Our mother didn’t have to turn to other people for our financial support every time. This then lessened mounting debt we have from other people.
With the financial assistance of the program, we were able to focus on our studies and become one of the top students of our respective classes. My elementary school teachers in Masayo Elementary School saw a potential in me and encouraged me to participate in science quiz bees and other competitions, which has taken my intellectual prowess to another level. Because of this advantage, I even get to compete in regional events. I graduated my elementary school years as valedictorian and words can’t describe how thankful I am being a beneficiary of this program that helped me achieved great things. This continued when I enrolled in Concepcion L. Cazeñas Memorial School, the same high school where my older siblings went to. There, I even get to excel in Mathematics and participate in the Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge every year. I would even get to extend my arsenal to journalism and leadership. My youngest sister would then graduate in elementary with flying colors as well and followed me in the same school.
Things got harder when I approached my senior high school years. My oldest sister chose to work as a caretaker and my older brother worked as a factory worker. It was in preparation of us the younger siblings going to college. Moreover, I got separated from my family and remained in the province for personal reasons. I stayed in my uncle’s house and the rest of the family relocated in Manila. As a result, I had to take over the program’s membership. My uncle, Jose Arnel would attend the FDS every month for me as I am still at school. Upon claiming the cash grant, I would divide the money for what is enough for me and the remaining I sent to my mother in Manila. I was having a hard time with this set-up but I stood my ground as I am eager to finish my studies and pay back for what we received from this program as well as the sacrifices of my family.
My family took a dark and mournful turn when my mother passed away during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was nearly 21 at that time and still to this day it breaks my heart that I was not on her side when that happened. I could not process what happened for a long time but in the long run I carried on and focused on my studies.
For my college years, I enrolled at the University of Antique. I took the civil engineering program majoring in construction project management. I was anxious with the financial aspect of it at first, but to my pleasure, I passed the Department of Science and Technology DOST) scholarship examination I took and become a scholar. With my persistence and resilience, I graduated after four years. It was such a rewarding moment for me and my family after everything that we have been through. I would never be more thankful to the 4Ps as I would never achieve such an achievement without having the privilege of being a beneficiary in my early years.
Our household eventually exited the program when my youngest sister turned 18. She was a Grade 11 student at the Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Colleges of Caybiga, Incorporated. Currently, she is a nursing student in her third year at Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City. Ultimately, I received the Certificate of Self-Sufficient Household from our Parent Leader as I was not able to attend the Pugay Tagumpay ceremony.
As for now, I recently passed the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination and the Master Plumber Licensure Examination. I am now a double-licensed professional and eyeing to land a job to assist my family in achieving a simple yet sustainable life. Having been a beneficiary of this program certainly changed my life. My family would not have rose up gradually from the depths of our struggles back then if not for the opportunity provided to us by this program. As I mentioned earlier, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity.
Looking forward, I am hopeful that there would be more families that would be blessed with this opportunity and have their lives turn for the better. On a larger scale, I hope that programs such as this would aid in gradually alleviating the country’s long time problem with poverty. Throughout my journey, I would like to extend my appreciation to our uncles, aunties, and friends who are always willing to provide a hand and support us. (Submitted by Tobias MOO, Antique POO)
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