Mababangbaybay is one of the 21 coastal barangay of Claveria, Masbate. It is actually not an island but could hardly reach by land transportation since it has no established road yet.

In 2008, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program  (4Ps) was introduced in Masbate and the town of Claveria was included in the set 1 implementation of the program and about 130 families from Mababangbaybay  was enrolled in the program. The family of Protacio and Virginia Lequin were among the lucky beneficiaries.

Prior to the introduction of the program, the Lequin’s family was staying in the upland part of the barangay. They have farming for their livelihood. Life was so tough for them, shared Virginia. She is a plain housewife, 44 years old with five children; four boys and a girl all in school. Her husband was a farm laborer with no stable income. Aside from receiving low pay, Porfirio’s job is also seasonal. He works for a month or two, and be jobless, depending on the need for farm laborers. Health and education is a problem which confronts the family. The non-availment of health services by the family is very evident when one of the children died due to health problem.  The poor housewife was so desperate for which she described her surroundings to be engulfed by darkness especially with the untimely death of her child.

For them to be able to forget the tragic experience, the family then decided to transfer to the barangay proper of Mababangbay. Profirio then built a small house for their shelter. To provide a living, the couple then managed coconut land for which they earn 15,000 per semester. “ Hindi sapat ang  kinikita para sa araw-araw naming  pangangailangan.” (Our income is not at all enough to support the daily needs of our family’)sighed  Virginia. The couple considered their family blessed because it was upon their transfer to the barangay when the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program started its implementation. The health and educational needs of the children were responded. The couple is regularly attending the Family Development Sessions (FDS). Virginia quipped that their role and responsibilities as parents were enhanced. It was also through the FDS that they came to realize the importance of availing the health services particularly for the children. She never joined any organization before. Because of the program she became active in all the activities in the barangay and she was even chosen as a Parent Leader.

It was also in the same year when another poverty alleviation program embraced the barangay; the Self- Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran Program (SEA-K) a scheme of the Sustainable Livelihood Program..Virginia was among those who qualified for the program. After going through the process, Virginia received the grant of 10,000.00. She used the amount in opening a sari-sari store. While she manages the store, her husband is also working in the farm. Within two years, they were able to pay back the capital assistance they got. Having a good credit standing, a grocery in Pioduran, Albay (where she gets her merchandise) offered her to get 35,000 worth of goods on consignment basis. She then did not hesitate to accept the offer and in one month Virginia was able to pay the whole amount. A few months later, using a simple mathematics,  Virignia made an accounting on how the business is doing. Her husband is also engrossed in his farm work. The couple‘s strong partnership in earning a living earned a good result. The couple has also started their project in hog fattening project. The family has now enough food for the family and is now able to support the school needs of the children. “Madalas ko na rin dalhin ang aking mga anak sa doktor para makasiguro ako na maayos ang kanilang kalusugan.” ( I now regularly bring my children to the Doctor to ensure that they are in good health) ,Virginia lamented.

From an abode of somber cogon grass and bamboo, the Lequin’s now have a house made of concrete materials. They can now call it a home suitable for dwelling.

Ask her about the life now, Virginia proudly enthuses that they can now get together more often, have enough food on the table and there is always money in their pockets for emergencies. The couple became also active in all community activities. Mabangbaybay is also a recipient of the Kalahi-CIDSS for which the involvement of the couple has been sought. Protacio has been a volunteer in the construction of the farm to market road and also in the installation of water system, while Virginia is a member of the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee.

Protacio and Virginia did not stop dreaming and striving to improve their status in life. With the proper attitude and right values, the fulfillment of their dreams is now within their reach.  # # #eejerusalem