In the upland barangay of Tinago in Camalig Albay, where houses made of nipa and bamboo stand among the quiet hills, a young girl name Jill M. Nantes once dreamed of rising from poverty. Not for fame or fortune, but simply to help her family. Today, that same girl is a licensed social worker and a Project Development Officer II under the very program that once helped change the course of her life: the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, or 4Ps.
As we celebrate Filipino Social Workers Day, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1176, series of 2021, we honor her inspiring journey. Her story reflects the resilience of the Filipino spirit and the life-changing impact of social work.
Humble Beginnings and Big Dreams
Life then was far from easy. Her father worked as a farmer, her mother as a handicraft maker. With seven children to raise and very little income, providing for their daily and educational needs was a struggle. “We were poor and only depended on the minimum wages of my parents,” she shared. “Having limited resources made me realize I needed to finish school and find a stable job. It was all for my family.”
Jill’s goal was clear, but the means were limited. That was until the 4Ps came into their lives in 2012.
She remembers the moment her family joined the program. Her mother, the registered grantee, received a white notebook with their first family photo pasted on the cover. It was the beginning of something new.
Each month, her mother would attend Family Development Sessions, taking down notes with enthusiasm and sharing her learnings at home. “At first, I wasn’t really interested,” she recalled. “But I saw how the program started to change us.”
The health of the monitored children, including herself, was regularly checked. They received deworming, vaccines, and school attendance was closely monitored. With the support of the cash grants, their mother made sure they never missed a day in school.
Turning the Tide
Progress came steadily. Her brother Boris graduated from high school with honors, completed college in 2019, and now works at Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines in Laguna. Her youngest brother Marco, the last monitored child, finished high school with honors and is now entering Bicol University.
In 2023, she graduated with a degree in Social Work from Bicol University, as a consistent academic awardee and cum laude. That same year, she passed the licensure examination for social workers.
Today, she serves as a City Link in the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the 4Ps program.
Giving Back Through Social Work
Now a public servant, she sees her work as more than just a job. It is a mission born from personal experience. “As a former monitored child, I understand our beneficiaries. I was once in their shoes. That perspective helps me connect and serve better.”
Her background as a beneficiary and her field instruction with 4Ps Sorsogon City prepared her well for her current role. More importantly, her success has allowed her to give back to the very community that once lifted her family up.
A Message of Hope
To the program that helped them break the cycle of poverty, she offers heartfelt thanks. “The 4Ps supported us until we became self-sufficient. It gave us the chance to dream, to grow, and to achieve. I hope our story inspires others, especially children who dream of becoming successful one day.”
Her story may sound familiar to many Filipino families who have journeyed from hardship to hope. But for her, it is personal and powerful. A true story of success.
Today, on Filipino Social Workers Day, we salute not only her achievement, but the countless social workers across the country who dedicate their lives to building a better future for others. Her life is living proof that when you empower one, you uplift many.
This is not just her story. This is our story of success.
Ms. Jill M. Nantes is currently assigned at 4PS Iriga City, Camarines Sur, as City Link.