Like any other traditional family, the Patagan household is headed by the ultimate provider Sancho (father), while Isadora (mother) took care of the children. The family’s provision for their needs is dependent with Sancho’s wage as a company driver at Manila Mining Corporation, Placer, Surigao del Norte. They were making ends meet, until the company closed.

When MMC shut down, Sancho lost his job, thus, became a freelance worker and accepted any available job just to sustain his growing family, especially that they have three children to support. They only lived in a house made of makeshift materials since educational sustenance to their children was the couple’s top priority, and that they could not afford improvements to their humble dwelling. Isadora attested their constraint financially. Their eldest child Sandae wanted to pursue tertiary education, so the couple doubled their efforts to provide for his school needs. It was a challenge of keeping up with the demands of life, but gratefully, in 2009, they became one of the program recipients under Set 2A of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Christel (middle child), and Christian (youngest) were the monitored student-beneficiaries under the program.

With the desire of the couple to enroll Sandae to college, Sancho tried every effort to earn, until he was absorbed in the municipality of Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte as a driver. He was a Job Order worker in the Local Government Unit (LGU) with Php400 daily rate. Considering this minimal earning, it would still be difficult for the family to rely solely on Sancho’s income, knowing that their two children are also attending to school. As a result, he decided to join a tampuhay (investment of savings) to put up funds, while Isadora ensured that the cash grants they benefited from 4Ps really served its purpose – for the health and education of their children.

With the help of the Program, they were also able to send Sandae to college. Years passed, in 2015, Sandae graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Social Work at the Mindanao State University-Marawi. He then landed his first job at the Department of Social Welfare and Development as Project Development Officer II in the same year. On the other hand, Sancho’s daily rate in the municipality also increased. Good thing the couple learned on Financial Management during their Family Development Sessions (FDS) discussion, and taught them how to properly handle their finances. It was during this time that the family’s economic status improved. As a result, they were able to remodel their humble abode into a more liveable and spacious one.

Their living status got better after the consolidated efforts done by every family member. However, as it is a fact that not everything is controllable, the family experienced an unexpected turmoil when Sandae was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, and quit his job in 2017. It made him unfit to work, and he was advised to rest. The couple tried every effort to get through with their problems. Isadora never stopped encouraging his son to fight, and re-establish his confidence. According to the grantee, prayers and supplications were their armor to sustain, heal, and gain back Sandae’s normal condition.

The family were able to get through that difficult situation by drawing strength from each other. The family was thankful that they overcame the challenge and Sandae decided to return to work at DSWD in August 2017 as a Municipal Link. This also contributed to the family’s resilience in every challenge that they encounter and will be encountering. Despite their situation, their two other children continued attending school – the couple were confident that they will be able to provide for the needs of the younger siblings since Sandae committed to help them in their financial needs.

The Program has assisted the family in reaching a self-sufficient well-being by alleviating their capacity to attend to their basic needs. It has brought a huge change to their status. They are now able to buy home appliances, and other needs at home – something that made the members of the family more comfortable especially now that the students need to attend online schooling.

At present, the family continues to support one another. Christel already graduated in High School, and is planning to pursue college education. On the other hand, Isadora still continues to be dynamic in every activity in the community. She is a devoted Christian and an active member of the church they are affiliated with.  She is also a member of the Women’s Association in the municipality. During this time of the pandemic, the Patagan family has no worries financial-wise, because Sancho and Sandae are still working amidst the situation. In terms of maintaining their Level 3 status, they practice discipline in managing their finances.

“The biggest achievement for me as a Municipal Link is inspiring the beneficiaries with our story. I encourage them to be more optimistic, and do well everyday despite the problems that they may face. I will continue to teach, and work with them until they can also achieve a self-sufficient living. I may have grown up in a family with less finances, but I vow to serve our Pantawid beneficiaries more,” Sandae shared. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)