Before my family became beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), life was challenging. My parents earned a modest income from farming and selling “puto” and “kutsinta” to cover our daily expenses while raising all eight of us siblings, all of whom were in school. Our primary source of light was a lamp, and deciding what to eat was a constant struggle, as our income was insufficient to meet our daily needs. However, everything changed when we joined the 4Ps. Gradually, our home was illuminated not only by light but also by the hope of escaping poverty. Our expenses started to be met, covering both daily necessities and educational costs.

At a young age, we understood the importance of saving, knowing that government support would not last forever. We needed the determination to improve our lives, and completing our education was a key factor in changing our fate. Despite our efforts, challenges persisted, especially when my siblings entered college, doubling our expenses. We went to school without allowances and walked long distances just to attend classes. These hardships were eye-opening and reinforced my resolve to pursue my studies, seeing education as a gateway to better opportunities and a more comfortable life.

To help manage expenses, I sought scholarships during college to ease the financial burden. Fortunately, I was awarded a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grant and a scholarship from a private institution. This support alleviated my financial struggles and allowed my parents to use the 4Ps grant to support my two younger siblings. As a result, I successfully graduated from college and passed both the licensure examination for teachers in March 2023 and the civil service exam at the professional level in June 2022.

Graduation was a bittersweet experience as I faced the challenge of finding a job, especially since many positions required experience that I lacked as a fresh graduate. Despite the discouragement, the Government Internship Program (GIP) offered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming a public servant.

I was assigned to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), specifically the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Here, I witnessed the dedication of each staff member working diligently to meet the needs of beneficiaries. Inspired by their commitment, I was given the chance to work as a social welfare assistant, interacting with beneficiaries and observing the dedication of social workers in the field.

Today, I can reflect on how far we have come from our life before becoming 4Ps beneficiaries. My mother remains part of the program as my younger brother is still monitored, but we know that this phase will soon end. We will embrace this transition with gratitude, as the program has significantly helped the four of us siblings complete our college education and secure decent jobs over the past 13 years. Indeed, poverty itself is not the issue; rather, it comes down to an individual’s mindset and outlook on life. With the will to improve, stepping beyond the confines of poverty, and focusing on leveraging one’s own capabilities rather than solely relying on government support, true progress and transformation can be achieved.

– Mary Joy A. Carillo, 24, resides in Basud, Camarines Norte, and graduated with a Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Mathematics.