Christian Taglucop, 21, of Barangay Nipa, Palanas, Masbate, is a beneficiary of SGPPA of DSWD Pantawid Pamilya. Before, for him entering in college is impossible. But now, he said he will not waste the opportunity provided to him to continue his plan and attain the better future for his own and his family.
********
He never stops dreaming until he reaches his goal. This is what Christian Taglucop embodied being one of those youngsters whose dreams happen and who have overcome extraordinary adversity in his life through having strength, courage and determination.
Christian, 21, of Barangay Nipa, Palanas, Masbate, said a big chunk of his dreams fulfillment was when he became one of the beneficiaries of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGPPA).
SGPPA was created in support to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program qualified beneficiaries all over the country. The SGPPA is in partnership with Commission on Higher Education and Department of Labor and Employment.
It aims to contribute in the increase of the number of enrollment in higher education in line with the national government’s priority degree programs among poor households and support college graduates’ entry to labor markets through placement assistance.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako dahil tinupad po ng DSWD ang pangarap kong makapasok sa kolehiyo. [That is why, I am thankful that DSWD fulfills my dream of entering in college,] he said.
Recalling his struggles in life
Christian has never enjoyed like that of young kids playing sorts of indoor or outdoor games. When he was a kid, he lived in farm, planting crops, vegetables and fishing in order to help his parents earn for a living.
Being the third son among the nine children of his parents–Jerson and Rosie, it is expected to him to take care of his brothers and sisters and do household chores. But, this does not stop him to be absent in school. He still manages to help his young sibling’s assignments, and study at night.
By the time he finished high school, Christian asked his parents to let him enter to college. “Pero, tandang-tanda ko pa noon, umiiyak pang sinabi ni Papa na hindi niya kayang papasukin ako sa kolehiyo, [But, I still remember, the time my Father told me, with tears, that he cannot able to send me to college,] he recounted.
His disappointment was even aggravated when two of his brothers died. He said they accidentally drowned in the river. Christian lamented over the years but was able to accept the incident little by little. “Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na kailangan kong mag-move forward at ipagpatuloy ang pangarap kong i-ahon sa hirap ang pamilya ko. [I told myself that I have to move forward and continue my dream of alleviating my family from poverty,] he stated.
Changes comes to his life
In 2009, his family was identified as qualified beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Under Pantawid Pamilya, family beneficiaries received monthly assistance of P500 grant in health; and P300 grant in education for children 3-14 years old with a maximum of three children per household.
“Magsimula po noon, unti-unti pong umangat ang kalagayan namin. Yung mga kapatid ko nakakabayad na ng tuition fee, nagkaroon sila ng bagong kagamitan gaya ng uniform, notebooks at sapatos at nakakabayad sa school projects. [From then on, little by little our living condition improved. My siblings were able to pay their tuition fees, they have their new things like uniform, notebooks, and shoes and were able to pay their school projects,] he added.
After few years, in 2012, he was informed by his parents that Pantawid Pamilya offered college education and luckily his parents supported him.
At present, he is now on his two years in college with the course Bachelor of Science in Fisheries in Bicol University (BU) Tabaco Campus. “Masayang masaya po ako ngayon sa kurso ko. Pinag-iigihan ko pong mag-aral ng mabuti dahil gusto ko pong makatulong sa mga kapatid ko na makatapos sila hangang kolehiyo. [I am so happy now in my course. I study hard because I want to help my siblings in finishing their studies up until college]. He firmly said.
Under SGPPA, a student grantee like Christian received a maximum of P60,000 per school year. Included here are tuition fees with an allocated amount of P20,000; textbooks and other learning materials with an allocation of P5,000 and P35,000 (that is, P3,500/month x 10 months) stipend for board and lodging transportation, clothing, health/medical needs, basic school supplies and other related costs.
Also, for him to sustain some of the additional finances in school, he was able to save money from his allowance and was able to put up a mini store. He converted his room for dual purposes: for sleeping and for selling perishable food items like noodles, chocolates, coffee, chocolate milk, muffins and bread. “Naisip ko po ito kasi lumalaki na po ang gastusin namin sa eskwelahan. [I thought about this because of the increasing expenses in school,] he added.
In Bicol Region, a total of 335 SGPPA grantees were provided with opportunity to attain their dreams of having a degree and get employed in the future. At present, they are enrolled in BU, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Camarines Norte State College and Catanduanes State University (CSU).
In addition, according to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, a total of 4,150 targeted grantees were validated for SGPPA implementation for 2014 -2015.
Christian may have a long way to attain his dream, but now, he is on his way to have a better future. Before, for him entering in college is impossible. But now, he said he will not waste the opportunity provided to him in order to continue plan and attain the better future for his own and his family.***G.A.N. Lindio, Information Officer