“Dili gayud babag ang kalisud sa pagkab-ot sa imong mga pangandoy ug kung kini ubanan nimo og kakugi ug pagpaningkamot (Poverty is not a hindrance to achieving one’s dream if you will just be hardworking and persistent),” shared Lecilda Indonilla as her mantra in life.

From Manila to Negros Oriental

Nelbert met Lecilda while working at a tile factory in Manila. In their first year as a couple, they realized their salaries could not be enough for their basic needs. When their eldest child came, Lecilda gave up her work to care for their eldest child.

Later, Nelbert quit from his work. The couple decided to return home to Ayungon, Negros Oriental, the hometown of Nelbert. Lecilda recalled that they had to adjust to their new environment when they settled in her husband’s hometown.

Residing in Barangay Tambo, a known rice-producing barangay in Ayungon, Nelbert works as a rice farmer. As the breadwinner, he toils in the rice paddies and labors as a reaper during harvest times. Lecilda looks after their children.

Since Nelbert’s income depended on whether the landowner would hire his labor, the family struggled to manage their finances. Lecilda would always prioritize buying food over non-essential things.

Realizing that his income could not suffice the needs of their growing family, Nelbert decided to return to his work in Metro Manila, leaving his wife, Lecilda, and their four (4) young children in Ayungon with a heavy heart.

Nelbert would usually send money to Lecilda weekly for their needs. Lecilda also started to cook and sell vegetables to a nearby elementary school in their town to augment her husband’s income.

After two (2) years of being away from his family, Nelbert decided to return home to Negros Oriental for good. He asked for a parcel of land from his parents for him to manage in a rent agreement.

The barangay local government unit (BLGU) also offered a space for rent to Nelbert and Lecilda. Using their savings from Nelbert’s income, the couple opened a small eatery with a sari-sari store as a start-up business.

 4Ps beneficiary

When the family became a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in 2008 under Set 1, Lecilda jubilantly celebrated for the financial assistance for her children. She used the cash grant intended for the education and health aspects of the three (3) monitored children, Niel Lester, Nikko James, and Princess Mae.

Lecilda also became one of the 4Ps parent leaders in their barangay, who helps DSWD workers disseminate relevant information to their co-4Ps partner beneficiaries.

Their children have witnessed their parents’ tireless efforts to meet their basic needs.

“Lisod magpuyo sa usa ka balay na daghan kaayo mi. Kung adunay panahon nga dili magsinabtanay kay magaway-away dayun. Luoy kayo among mama kay siya ra pirmi ang magpailob (It is hard to live in a house of a big family. If there is a misunderstanding, there is usually a fight. I take pity on our mother because she is the only one who is always patient),” recalled Nathaniel, the eldest son.

“Niabot sad sa point na wala gayud kami malung-ag nga kan-on ug wala pud may magpaulos na silingan (It reached a point that there was no rice for us to cook and no one of our neighbors lent us some rice),” added Nathaniel.

When Nathaniel and Niel Lester decided to pursue their university education in Dumaguete City and Tagbilaran City, their parents supported their chosen courses to their delight.

Determined to reach their dreams, Nathaniel took his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Main Campus in Dumaguete City, while Niel Lester pursued and finished his Marine Transportation course at the BIT International College in Tagbilaran City.

Nathaniel is now a regular employee at Samsung Group of Companies, while Niel Lester is now onboard an oil tanker vessel bound for Japan. They dedicated these accomplishments and successes to their hardworking parents.

Self-sufficient level

Due to the increased combined income of the family, they renovated their house, which used to be made of light materials, and turned it into a concrete house. The family also acquired farm equipment for their rice field and continued their small sari-sari store.

They also ventured into the “balot” business, a favorite delicacy made of baby bird embryos served with salt and vinegar, in their town and the nearby towns. The family also bought a second-hand car for their business and private service.

Their eldest son, Nathaniel, already has his own family but continues to support his parents financially. Niel Lester, a seafarer, sends a monthly allowance to his parents to support his three (3) younger siblings, who are all in school.

The third child, Nikko James, is a third-year college student taking a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA). The fourth child, Princess Mae, is in grade 11, and the youngest child, Rena Mae, is a fifth-grade student.

Lecilda has no other wish but to have her three (3) remaining children finish their studies and have a regular job of their own someday, just like their elder brothers.

She is presently an active member of the Tambo Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (TARBA), a farmer’s group association in their barangay that supports fellow farmers in their community. She helped lobby for a budget for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to fund a rice mill in their barangay.

“Dako na gayud ang kausaban sa among pamilya kompara sa una. Medyo haruhay na ang kahimtang tungod naa naman ta klaro nga income ug aduna nay duha nga nagtrabaho (There has already been a big improvement in our family compared to before. We already have quite a comfortable life because we have a stable source of income and our two children have their own work),” shared Lecilda.

Lecilda shared that the 4Ps were instrumental in sustaining her children’s education during tough times, and coupled with her relentless pursuit of success, the family is now in a better position than before.

After the conduct of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) using the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) tool, the family has already attained level 3 status, or they are now self-sufficient.

Lecilda is proud of what they have achieved and is now ready to exit the program. “Walay hunong nga pasalamat sa programa nga nitabang sa akong pamilya (my endless gratitude to the program that helped my family),” said Lecilda. ###

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