Samboan’s First Day Care Worker Retires

After over 40 years of service, “lucky” 65-year-old day care worker (DCW) in Samboan town agreed to hold-off ‘retirement’ for a seamless transition.

Amparo Martiniano said she already retired from the job last December 1, but her replacement found it difficult to take over the job at the middle of the school year.

This prompted Mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon’s to request for the postponement of her “job retirement” until March of 2015. Martiniano accepted the mayor’s plea though it would mean she will take lesser pay check.

“Wala may problema nako kay makakita pa man ko sa mga bata (It is not a problem because I would still get to see the children at the center),” she said.

Unlike the other DCWs, Martiniano is fortunate as she received around P9,000.00 monthly salary as an employee of the municipal government.

Her fellow DCWs receive a monthly allowance of P500.00, which is taken from the annual appropriations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The barangays, though, are also giving honoraria to the barangay frontline workers.

In the case of Martiniano, she will be paid with P3,000 by Barangay Poblacion for her remaining months of service for the barangay.

Martiniano started her volunteer work in 1974. She said the day care program then was handled by former first Lady Imelda Marcos.

After a year, her fortune turned up when the municipal government absorbed her.

Martiniano said what was fulfilling on her part is that some of the children, who were under her tutelage, have grown to become professionals.

Last December 22, Martiniano and the rest of the barangay workers in Oslob, Samboan and Moalboal received their cash incentives from the Cebu Provincial Government.

Each DCW, barangay health worker, nutrition scholar, received P2,400. The barangay tanods and animal health aides received P1,500 each.

Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon emphasized the importance of their contributions in the barangay level. He said their services are greatly felt by the people, though they are volunteers.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale also accompanied the distribution of cash incentives in the three towns.

www.cebu.gov.ph