Who would have thought that a high school drop-out would turn out to be a trusted companion, more so an empowered leader in the community?
While we focus on a lot of self-improvements, an important part of living a happy and fulfilling life includes being part of a close-knit community where you can share, help and support the people you care about. It’s easy to get wrapped up in fixing your own life that you forget about helping others. While it’s important to put yourself first sometimes, “mas maayo ang makatabang sa nagkinahanglan (it is more important to help those who are in need)” according to the words of wisdom of Wilma.
If you go to San Roque, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, most people there know a certain Wilma Aton, she might not know you personally but she’ll definitely lend a hand whenever you need it. It’s this sort of personal rapport that endears Wilma to friends, neighbors and even random strangers. She isn’t just an active 4Ps member but probably the most empowered one in their community. In fact, she was invited twice by former Municipal Link Irish Cabig as a Resource Person in Barangay Poblacion in 2017. There, she shared her knowledge and expertise about the 4Ps program. In addition, she also initiated an innovation of the Family Development Session in her barangay for two consecutive years (2019-2020).
Recently, she continued this innovation despite the pandemic through the Modular Modality. You’ll know her as a volunteer who provides information, education, and motivational services for primary health care, maternal and child health, and the like or locally known as Barangay Health Worker. She also supports the national immunization and vaccination program wherein she assisted activities voluntarily. She’s also an active leader or member of various advocacies which greatly affect women and children’s rights, general public safety and cleanliness, and project development initiatives. Her strong sense of volunteerism evokes a sense of social justice that leads her to know more about community needs, social responsibility and make a positive impact on their barangay. This “wisdom” as she calls it, she’d love to share with her members in the program.
Wilma is a 46 years old Parent Leader who has served their barangay for 10 years. She is married to Bernabe C. Aton and they have five kind-hearted children. She is an active member of the RCCT Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, set 4A. Although she’s not a native in San Roque, her husband would always joke that she’s more famous than him in the said municipality.
“Kung dili pa tungod ni Wilma, burong ra gihapon ko hangtod karon (If not for Wilma, I’d still be a passive, lousy person right now),.” These were the words of praise by Divina Oclarit after being acquainted with Wilma. As a Parent Leader Advocate, she religiously follows up the concerns of her members. On a certain occasion, Divina approached Wilma to ask permission if she could pawn her cash card because her child was confined. Wilma was shocked and reprimanded her that it is illegal and the program prohibits it. Instead, she explained to her the conditionalities of the program and the beneficiaries’ responsibility. She challenged her to go out from her shell and find better alternatives. She instructed her to follow-up and go to the PhilHealth Office. It is the beneficiary’s first time to deal with other people outside of her comfort zone. However, the confidence Wilma instilled in Divina made possible the smooth transaction.
Wilma keeps the balance between her work in the community and home. She makes sure that her children are well-guided, and that their needs, and their studies are kept in check. She attended to their school affairs and volunteered in the general cleaning and gardening. She also donated materials for school children in San Roque Elementary School.
Her sense of volunteerism doesn’t stop there, she also engaged in Barangay Monthly General cleaning from 2009 up to the present. She is one of the active Solid Waste Advocate and Volunteer in their weekly barangay house-to-house survey on solid waste segregation activity. She is an active member of SARCOWA or San Roque Cluster 1 Women and Worker’s Association where she was elected as messenger. During Calamities she volunteers in conducting surveys on affected areas and volunteers to manage the evacuation centers.
Other significant achievements of Wilma for the Program, and in the community includes;
- Parent Leader for 10 Years
- FDS Facilitator in Barangay San Roque 2 Years (2019-2020)
- FDS Resource Person in Brgy Poblacion (2017)
- FDS Resource Person in Brgy Poblacion (2017)
- Conducts FDS to 4ps Members During Pandemic (Modular Modality)
- Active Pl: Follow-Up Issues and Concerns of 4Ps Member
- Parent Leader Advocate
- Barangay Health Worker
- Barangay Volunteer in Monthly General Cleaning
- School Volunteer in General Cleaning and Gardening
- Volunteer During Calamities (Survey On Affected Areas and Evacuees)
- Donated Materials for School Children
- Volunteer in Information Education Campaign About Covid-19
- Volunteer in Information Education Campaign About Vaccination
- Volunteer in Information Education Campaign About Pre-Natal
- R.A 9262 Advocate
- Gender and Development Advocate
- Sarcowa – San Roque Cluster 1 Workers’ and Women’s Association Messenger
- Solid Waste Segregation Advocate
- Weekly House-To-House Survey On Solid Waste Segregation Volunteer
- Supports The National Immunization Program (Assists The Activity Voluntarily)
- Assist in Monthly Prenatal Activity
- Assist the Covid-19 Vaccination
- House-To-House Oral Polio Vaccination Volunteer
- Assist the Measel’s Vaccination
- Assist the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (Volunteer and Advocate)
Watching her track record as a volunteer, witnessing her easy interaction with all sorts of people, and her soft heart for the oppressed, you’d be hard pressed to guess that Wilma is a high school drop-out.
“Bisan wala ko nakahuman ug high school, willing ko motabang ug mo-impart sa akong kahibalo ug skills sa uban tawo (Even though I did not finish high school, I am willing to help and impart my knowledge and skills to other people),” Wilma shared. She becomes an epitome of confidence and assertiveness to her members whom she inspires through her words and actions. Wilma’s influence on them is translated through self-empowerment. Until today, Wilma continues to do her mission willingly and capably in their community. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
