She had a calling to teach. From school, catechetical/religious, and civic matters, Celia Mantua has always been reliable in sharing her knowledge and wisdom.

Celia’s life has always been for service – she jokingly shared that her life is connected to the school. Celia has been teaching since 1987 where she worked as a substitute teacher. Even though she has been on and off from teaching, her life has continued to revolve around students, parents, and teachers, when she became a Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) President at the Dapa Central Elementary School from 1996-2011. In 2012, she again had her hands full in handling students when she became a Day Care Worker, then eventually she became the PTA Board of Director at Dapa National High School from 1998 to present.

Celia is a member of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa in Barangay 12 (Poblacion), Dapa, Surigao del Norte from 2015 until present, where she contributes in resolving existing conflicts and problems in the community. But even though she has been busy being a barangay worker, and serving as an officer to different associations, there is still that challenge to provide for her seven (7) children. Fortunately, they were included in the Set 7 households registered with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2013.

“Being known to be active in the community, Celia has been chosen by the members to become one of the Parent Leaders of the Program. So since 2014, she has been performing as a group leader up until this moment,” Shella Debard, municipal link assigned in Dapa, Surigao del Norte shared.

Celia has been patient in managing her members especially in reminding them to take on a serious note the conditions of the program. To detail, she voluntarily paid for the photocopy fees for the modules for the Family Development Sessions (FDS) and gave them to her co-beneficiaries free of charge. She guides and assists her members in processing transactions like requesting a PhilHealth Certificate from the Municipal Operations Office (MOO), and completing documents required for medical/hospital assistance.

She also provided school supplies like notebooks, pencil and pen for 4Ps children whom she observed to have difficulty in acquiring supplies.

“Ako gipakita ang pamaagi sa pagpaningkamot aron mahimong inspirasyon sa uban nga benepisyaryo nga manginabuhi ug dili lang maghulat sa ayuda. Kanang maningkamot nga makabarog gyud pinaagi sa pagpaningkamot (I wanted to be an example and an inspiration to others, especially the program beneficiaries, by showing them that hard work is necessary to succeed, and not just depend on the grants),” Celia said.

Moreover, being involved in the DSWD program has opened more opportunities for Celia. She became a community volunteer for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in 2016, an association president of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s Dose Minimart in 2019 up to present, and elected as the Federated President of SLP Federated Pangkabuhayan in the Municipality of Dapa, Surigao del Norte in 2020 until today.

Celia recognizes her devotion by actively serving in the church. Celia acted as Vice President for the Women’s Organization in 2013 to 2016, Parish Council Secretary from 2016 to 2018, Diocesan Secretary from 2018 up to present, and Lay Reader or Kaabag from 2013 up to present for the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Church in Dapa.

Aside from all the affiliations in school, church, and even in the community, Celia also has managed to work as a sales agent in the First in Standard Corporation from 2019 up to present that helps the family with their financial needs.

She has been an inspiration for her children on how they plan for their future. As to the community, she has left a mark of being a good, concerned, and active citizen. Having mentioned these traits, it is with no denial that people in the community have shown respect and admiration towards Celia and her valuable deeds.

At present, she has expressed her gratitude to the program for the chance of allowing her to cultivate her skills. With boldness and courage, she also expressed her readiness to exit from the program this year, seeing that the entire Mantua household already well-capacitated, empowered, and self-sufficient. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)