There is no time limit as to when people have to stop learning. It is considered a continuous process in which we remain as students throughout our lives. Delia Tarroza, a 60-year-old community volunteer of Barangay Malitbog, Minalabac, Camarines Sur, is a proof that it is never too late to begin learning new skills and knowledge.

Delia started as a volunteer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) in 2010. As a volunteer, she led the Procurement Team which was responsible for preparing the procurement requirements for the sub-project and providing support to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in ensuring that the procurement processes are applied.

According to Delia, she learned a lot as a volunteer, especially in the seminars or training provided by KALAHI-CIDSS. Besides the capability-building activities, she also improved her personal development skills like dealing with people.

“Kahit maraming trabaho sa bahay, sa barangay, nakakaya ko. Marami ring natutunan ako sa mga hindi ko nadaanan sa pag-aaral kasi ang inabot ko lang ang first year high school noon,” she said.

(I can manage it even though there is a lot of work to be done in the barangay and at home. Since I had only completed my first year of high school at that time, I learned a lot that I had not learned in school.)

CONTINUOUS LEARNING

Being the chairperson of the Procurement Team for the implementation of sub-projects under KALAHI-CIDSS, she has to face different suppliers or contractors. With a desire to further improve her capabilities, Delia enrolled as a student of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd). Through ALS, it helped the volunteer to complete her basic education wherein she finished senior high school education in 2020.

“…pag ako daw nakikipag-negotiate sa mga supplier and kung sino-sinong tao na pumupunta dito, alam ko din kung paano ko sasagutin and alam ko din kung medyo English ‘yun, pwede ko daw sagutin,” she explained.

(I can already respond when I negotiate with suppliers and interact with other individuals who come into the workplace, particularly if the question is asked in English.)

From the learnings and skills she acquired, Delia has assisted Barangay Malitbog in completing the sub-projects under the modalities of National Community-Driven Development Program Additional Financing (NCDDP AF) and Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) which immensely benefited her fellow community members.

These sub-projects were temporary quarantine facility, improvement of child development center, and installation of public address system and provision of communication device and sound system which 97 households, 23 households, and 458 households benefited from the sub-projects, respectively.

According to Delia, she drew strength from the support of her family and faith in God to face such challenges.

“Suportado ako. Support na support po ‘yan all the time. Ang ganda po ng KALAHI-CIDSS, marami, lahat po kami, hindi lang po kami, ang maraming natutunan pati po ang komunidad. Natuto sila ng mga transparent na pamamalakad,” she shared.

(I had support. They are very supportive all the time. KALAHI-CIDSS is an excellent program since it taught everyone including the community – a lot. They learned the transparent way of managing projects.)

Delia’s thirst for learning has led her to expand her capabilities not only as a volunteer but also as an important part of the community. As we continue our journey, do not let time hinder our desire to continuously gain knowledge and skills. Try to learn from other people and not just be contented with what we already know. The learnings we have acquired are our biggest asset as humans.