DSWD: Pantawid Beneficiaries Now ‘On Track’ After Yolanda

Pantawid Pamilya farmer beneficiaries bounced back after Super Typhoon Yolanda destroyed all the vegetable gardens where they get there income for the family.

The effect of the typhoon could be devastating for the 35 beneficiaries but they chose to rise against their situation rather than sulk over what happened.

“Pero wala mi nawad-an ug paglaum kay naa man mga tawo nga nihatag ug suporta kanamu (We didn’t lose hope because there are people who willingly support us),” said 49 years old Nona Sasam.

Nona is one of the 35 Pantawid farmer beneficiaries who suffered the wrath of Yolanda.

Before Yolanda struck, Nona and other 34 Pantawid farmer beneficiaries who come from the different barangays in Cebu City such as Duljo-Fatima, Mambaling, Carreta, Inayawan, Cogon Pardo, Apas, Zapatera, Suba and Busay attended the urban farmers’ training program last year. This program is under the “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan” of SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7).

They tirelessly applied their acquired knowledge and skill in cultivating a communal garden. They called their group “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Urban Farmers Association”.

“Kaniadto nga wala pa ang Pantawid Pamilya mga simple ra gyud mi nga mga housewife (Before the Pantawid Pamilya came, we were just simple housewife),” said Nona added.

“Dako among pasalamat nga gitudloan mi unsaon pagpananum (We are grateful for teaching us on how to plant and cultivate a communal garden),” Nona emphasized.

During the 3-month training period, the beneficiaries were taught various farming technology like application of fertilizers, soil amendments and the removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots through pruning.

The DSWD-7 through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also shared to the beneficiaries different business management modules like financial literacy and time management.

When the training ended, the Cebu City government did not hesitate in providing ample support to the beneficiaries as they allotted a small unused lot in the north reclamation area and made it into a vegetable garden.

Through the Cebu City Agriculture Department, the Cebu City LGU also provided seedlings, fertilizers and water supply for the vegetable garden.

“The complementation and collaboration of different programs and services from the national government, local government and private sector is a good example of convergence strategy,” said Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

“Through convergence we can be able to ensure that our beneficiaries will become empowered, self-sufficient and resilient,” Jabagat underscored.

Aside from Cebu City, beneficiaries of Borbon in Cebu and Loon in Bohol were also given training program this year by SMFI and DSWD.

Nona added that they were able to tap a local supplier who can market their fresh produce. They now plan to increase their harvest by maximizing the vacant lot in the same area provided by the city government.

Armed with a new found hope, the Pantawid beneficiaries are now busy cultivating their garden and soon they will plant eggplant, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, okra and other vegetables.

From a typical housewife whose life revolved only in daily household chores, Nona has transformed herself into a productive member of the community. She is thankful for the government and private sector’s support and says, “Kaya ko ang Pagbabago!”.

Image Credit: DSWD 7