It was hard for Marlyn to refuse the acceptance of a position she never dreamt of but it was harder for her to renounce volunteerism.
The small town of Bombon, a fifth class town in Camarines Sur, implemented the DSWD program, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in 2012.
Kalahi-CIDSS seeks to help alleviate poverty through community-driven development (CDD) by giving the people the opportunity to make informed decisions on locally identified options for development and manage resources to implement sub-projects that address needs identified by communities themselves.
Because of the people participation as part of the program objectives, Marlyn was one of the elected residents who was trusted to implement Kalahi-CIDSS.
In Brgy. Sto. Domingo, everyone turned to her during the election of volunteers in the community assembly in 2012. She accepted the positon as the head of the Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee (BSPMC), but admitted that she was not aware of her roles that time. Her apprehension disappeared when the DSWD worker assigned to Bombon assured to guide her in the whole process.
As the BSPMC head, she manages about 30 members of the working committees during the implementation and construction of their day care center and concrete pathway in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
Marlyn, an elementary graduate, was married to Celso in 1998. After three years, Celso decided to bring her and their first child to Bombon, his birthplace, to avert the expensive life in Manila.
Though Marlyn had experienced working at an early age to help her family after the sudden demise of her father, she stayed at home during the early stage of her marriage with Celso because of high-risk pregnancy.
After ten years as the housekeeper and mother of four, Marlyn was given the highest volunteer post when Kalahi-CIDSS first came in Brgy. Sto. Domingo in 2012.
Hurdling the obstacles
Her husband was also aware of her new responsibility but he wanted her to quit because he was worried of her involvement in conflicts.
“Hindi kasi nawawala ang hindi pagkakaunawaan pero napag-uusapan at naayos din naman,” Marlyn explained to Celso.
She also said to Celso that her participation in Kalahi-CIDSS gave her the chance to get out of the house and do something other than being a household manager.
But the greatest challenge Marlyn faced was when the residents started to belittle her because she is an elementary graduate.
Marlyn becomes emotional every time others doubt her. Others said that there are more competent people than her for that position.
Even one of her co-volunteer bypassed her once and made decisions without consulting Marlyn. It was painful for her but she confronted the volunteer and solve the issue between them.
“Kahit elementary graduate lang ako kaya ko naman ang trabaho basta pinapaliwanag sa akin ang dapat kong gawin,” Marlyn explained.
Others also assumed that she receives compensation as the BSPMC head but she strongly refuted this by clarifying that volunteers like her serve their village out of philanthropy without receiving anything in return.
She also defended herself for an allegation that they stole sacks of cement for the community pathway. Marlyn was firm and proved her innocence based on what is true.
“Sa apat na taon ko sa Kalahi-CIDSS, wala akong ginawang masama, hindi ako nangloko ng kapwa ko,” Marlyn said.
Driven woman
Marlyn did not succumb because of these challenges. She kept her commitment to the community.
“Dapat makialam kami sa mga nangyayari sa barangay,” she said.
She was also grateful to gain new friends during her volunteer stint. Marlyn was originally from Manila and she has no relatives in Bombon aside from her husband’s.
“Masaya ako sa Kalahi-CIDSS dahil nakakuha ako ng pangalawang pamilya dito,”
On the other hand, she also encouraged her co-volunteers not to quit their posts by citing her experiences and assured them that they will be taught on how to do their respective functions.
“Kung lahat tayo aalis sa Kalahi-CIDSS, mawawala ang mga projects natin dahil wala nang volunteers,” she told them.
Marlyn is very thankful of the trainings she received and of seminars she attended in Kalahi-CIDSS because she acquired more knowledge and became more confident to perform her roles.
“Dati lang akong tahimik pero ngayon marami na akong alam dahil sa experiences ko,” she added.
Marlyn had a very low self-esteem but her eagerness to learn made her more confident to keep her pace with others for the benefit of their community.