“We used to fight a lot.”
This was the revelation of one PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary about her relationship with her husband.

Forty-five-year-old MonienDoroño of Barangay Mongpong, Roxas City, who has been married for 18 years now recalled that their initial years were filled with happiness. Bouts of arguments started, however, when financial problems had set in.

Monien and husband Catalino, 19 years older than her, have four children, three of them are covered by PantawidPamilya. Under the program which is being implemented by DSWD, children are given cash grants for their health and education which their mother receives every two months.

She said their problems started when her husband has retired from his job. That time, he used his retirement pay to purchase a tricycle to have a daily source of income.

“After he retired, we did not have enough money to meet our daily needs particularly that we have children to attend to,” she said.

The fights have hurt them and caused friction among the couple. With the entry of PantawidPamilya, however, Monien said their relationship has gone better.

“Our arguments have lessened because of PantawidPamilya,” she said.
Monien specially cited her attendance to the Family Development Session (FDS), one condition which should be complied under the program. Non-attendance to this means forfeiture of cash grant.

In the FDS sessions, she learned key lessons such as handling her relationship with her husband, managing finances, taking care and disciplining children.
She also said that the cash grants she received were spent for the school and vitamins of her children.

“With PantawidPamilya helping us out along the schooling of our children, we were able to save our daily income from the tricycle. After some time, we engaged in pig fattening business which provides us additional income now,” said Monien.

Monien also said that every time she and her husband have problem, she shares it to her husband and talk about the best solution and remedy to their problem.  “All is well now,” she quipped./dswd6/MontesaGrino-Caoyonan