In the hilly Barangay Buenos Aires of Carmen, Bohol, Gina G. Budiongan remembers a time when her family lacked the means for a better life. Back then, “life was hard” was not just a phrase; it was the daily reality of backbreaking farm labor, small-scale livestock raising, and the constant worry of stretching a meager income to feed seven growing children.

Gina and her husband, Marcelo, lived in a house of light materials, raising pigs and working as farm laborers to keep their children—Allen Glen, Bryan Carlo, Carl Anthony, Dan Juvy, Ela Mae, Felix Joe, and Gian Mae—in school. They had the will, but they lacked the capital to break the cycle of poverty.

The Turning Point

Their lives took a different direction in 2011 when the family became partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Rather than seeing the cash grants as a handout, Gina treated them as a strategic investment. She meticulously allocated the funds toward her children’s health and education, ensuring that the next generation would have the tools she and Marcelo never had.

As the children grew, so did Gina’s role in the community. In 2020, her peers recognized her grit and integrity, electing her to the 4Ps Parent Leader role. For the past five years, Gina has served as a liaison between the government and her neighbors.

“I have become a partner to our 4Ps Municipal Link,” Gina says with pride. “I help facilitate Family Development Sessions (FDS) every month. These sessions did not just teach us about health; they strengthened how I lead my household,” she added.

Building a Legacy of Industry

While the 4Ps provided the foundation, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in 2022 provided the engine for growth. Gina joined the Buenos Aires Sustainable Livelihood Beneficiaries Association (BASLBA). She eventually stepped into the role of storekeeper for their General Merchandise and Dairy Products enterprise.

Beyond the ₱259,000.00 in start-up capital from the Zero Hunger Project, SLP trained the members on simple bookkeeping, microenterprise management, basic accounting, and leadership development.

Gina did not just manage a store; she mastered a profession. She dove into the complexities of managing a store.

“Balancing the roles of mother, leader, and manager is a challenge,” Gina admits. “But I find joy in helping my co 4Ps beneficiaries and keeping our association’s finances transparent. I could not do any of this without Marcelo and my children—they are my inspiration,” she added.

A House Built on Perseverance

Today, the light materials of their old house have been replaced. The Budiongans now live in a semi-concrete home, a sturdy symbol of their climb to “Level 3: Self-Sufficient” status.

The most profound evidence of their success, however, is found in their children’s achievements: three college graduates, Allen Glen, Bryan Carlo, and Carl Anthony, are now gainfully employed; two college students, Dan Juvy and Ela Mae, are currently pursuing their degrees; and secondary students Felix Joe and Gian Mae continue to excel in school, remaining the final focus of the 4Ps monitoring.

Graduation and Beyond

As the Budiongan family prepares to “graduate” from the 4Ps, they are not looking back with fear but forward with faith. Their journey proves that when government support meets an unbreakable work ethic, poverty is not a life sentence—it is a hurdle to be cleared.

“Even after we leave the program, we will keep striving,” Gina vows. “With diligence, perseverance, and faith in God, we will sustain the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”

Gina’s journey shows how these programs act as a springboard to her family’s transformation. Her family expressed their deep gratitude to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for providing them with the opportunity to become self-reliant.

She transformed a struggle for survival into a testament of resilience. With her children excelling and her family self-sufficient, Gina’s story highlights the DSWD’s goal: empowering families to rise from poverty. She has officially broken the cycle of poverty, creating a legacy of hope and self-reliance. ###