The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has staged the Panaghiusa Festival anew.
The event was created in 2015 to increase public awareness of the accomplishments and gains in the implementation of DSWD programs and services in Region 7.
The festival also aims to highlight the positive impact of the programs on the lives of its partner-beneficiaries through their success stories and to empower them to become models and inspirations to others.
After its two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panaghiusa Festival made a comeback. Its sixth conduct happened at the DSWD Field Office VII, and only a limited number of participants were part of the live audience.
DSWD program beneficiaries attended the activity and shared how they have benefited from the department’s programs and services.
The Ageas family from Barangay Cambagte, Ginatilan, Cebu, shared how the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) changed their lives for the better.
“Lisud gyud ang kinabuhi namo sa una ug dako among pasalamat nga niagakay namo ang 4Ps labi na sa pagpaeskwela sa among mga anak (Our life was really difficult before and we are grateful that the 4Ps assisted us, particularly with our children’s education),” said Josephine Ageas.
They also encouraged other 4Ps beneficiaries to cultivate their own backyard gardens, as the family’s main income comes from gardening and hog-raising.
Catalino Laguitao from Barangay Catugasan, Dimiao, Bohol, also shared his testimony on how the government assisted his family in their return to the province from Metro Manila through the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2P).
He said that their family is now slowly recovering as they start their own Ready-to-Wear (RTW) shop in their hometown. The DSWD provided a livelihood settlement grant for their family to start a livelihood in Bohol.
Ronel Caminade, a member of the Sitio Tagaytay Rural Workers’ Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Association from Madridejos, Cebu, is the last beneficiary to share his story. He described how the livelihood association assisted each member’s family in getting back on their feet after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated their town in 2013.
Between the beneficiaries’ testimonials and videos, the DSWD-7 performing arts ensemble, made up of DSWD employees, performed lively intermission numbers.
For their participation in the Malasakit Video Fest, Salaysay ng Buhay ng Pamilyang Pantawid, Kaagapay ng Pamayanan, and SLP Sulong Bayanihan, various partner-beneficiaries were also recognized.
The event concluded with a fashion show featuring guitars, macramé belts, pandan hats and bags, bags made from recycled materials, and other souvenir items made by SLP partner-beneficiaries. ###
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