ADB President Nakao Commits to Support Pantawid Pamilya

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao in his recent visit in Barangay Owak, Asturias, Cebu assured continued support for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Philippine governments version of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) that invest in the health and education of poor households, particularly of children aged 0 to 18.

Nakao assumed office last April 28, 2013 and is the ninth president of ADB that was founded on 1966. The bank is among the funding sources of Pantawid Pamilya.

During his short visit, Nakao personally heard the positive changes in the lives of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and grantees including testimonials from partner implementers of the program that involved local officials, health workers and school teachers.

“There might be difficulties and struggles but let’s work hard and the future will be bright. It is our goal at ADB to provide children a brighter future and I commit myself to continue to support the program,” he said.

“Thank you for welcoming me and the rest of the ADB party. I am happy to see the smiles of the people,” Nakao added.

The ADB President also added that he learned so many things from the sharing of the children beneficiaries, parents, health workers and the teachers.

“I am very happy that ADB was able to support the community in education and health,” he cited

“As a father of 14 years old and 11 years old boys, I really love to see the happy faces of the children. By seeing the happy faces of the cute children, I was able to reminisce my childhood and my children too,” Nakao further added.

Other ADB officials who joined Nakao during the short activity include James Nugent, Director General, South Asia Department, Christopher Thieme, Private Sector Infrastructure Finance Division Director, Richard Bolt, Philippine Country Office Director and Naoya Jinda, Chief advisor to the ADB President.

Meanwhile, among those who shared stories of positive change during the said activity include April Lopes, who is a grade IV pupil of Owak Elementary School.

April together with her two siblings is survived by her mother Jocelyn who is a vendor.

Jocelyn sells snack goods as a source of income. She has been a single parent for five years now.

“The cash grant from the program helped me buy school supplies and materials for my projects. I can now also join extra-curricular activities that resulted in better grades,” said April.

Because of her involvement in other school activities April is now topping her class from being the fifth honor.

April is optimistic that through the program she will be able to finish her studies.

Moreover, Evelyn Pitogo, a Pantawid Pamilya grantee and Parent Leader for five years now was also given the chance to share her personal experience on the same occasion.

Evelyn, a mother of four now works as a Barangay Health Worker and a Community Health Worker. If she has extra time, Evelyn also sells vegetables to earn additional income.

Her husband works as a butcher and at the same time a farmer.

Evelyn narrated that prior to her membership in the CCT her children only has two sets of school uniforms but when she became a grantee the children are now enjoying five sets which is used from Monday to Friday.

“Before I seldom allow my kids to wear their school shoes because I was afraid that constant use wears out the shoes before school ends but after attending several Family Development Sessions I further learned my responsibilities as a parent and part of it is to make sure that my children are safe and comfortable in school,” she said.

She also emotionally recalled that her enrolment in the program has significantly helped her family especially during trying times notably when her husband had an accident that demanded for a CT scan and surgical procedure.

“I am very thankful that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are also insured with Philhealth because the zero bill policy saved my husband’s life,” Evelyn added.

She admitted that given the financial status of the family they can’t afford to pay for a CT scan alone how much more surgical operation.
Another milestone in Evelyn’s experience as grantee and parent leader was her exposure to DSWD initiated trainings.

“If not for the DSWD Parent Leaders training I will not be able to experience hotel stay. I wouldn’t have experience cold and hot shower, ride on an elevator and use key cards,” Evelyn said.

Like April, Evelyn is hopeful that the program will continue because it gives her optimism that her kids will have a better life. (Phoebe Jen Indino-Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)