“Dili sayop ang ka pobrehon, sayop na kon nagpabilin ta diha nga sitwasyon (Poverty is not wrong; it is wrong if we stay in that situation),” Robelyn said.

The married couple, Robelyn and Camilo Ango, reside in the town of Bantayan, one of the three municipalities comprising the island of Bantayan, in the northwestern tip of Cebu Province. They were not born affluent; thus, the couple had to work hard to meet the needs of their family.

“Tanan nga pwede namu mapanginabuhian sa bukid amo nang naagian, mamutol og kahoy, manguha og bato aron mabaligya (Everything that we can make a living from the mountain we have gone through to cut down wood and pick up stones to sell),” as Robelyn mentioned.

Before the family became part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), they had a hard life; they could not even provide vitamins for their children and other school supplies because the couple only relied on what was harvested in the fields, such as cutting wood and gathering stones for trading. Robelyn could also recall the hard work of her husband on buying and selling poultry, scrap metal, and plastic bottles to augment their income, but still not enough to suffice their other needs.

However, after being enrolled in the 4Ps, their lives have significantly improved. The financial assistance from the government, helps the family provide for their children’s school and health needs and even save some money for future circumstances.

4Ps Beneficiary

In March 2011, the Ango family became part of 4Ps, a program of the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) that provides cash grants to improve health, nutrition, and education for all partner beneficiaries. Since they joined the program, the Ango family has been able to financially support their children’s school needs.

The family of Robelyn has been qualified for the program because of their low-income status, and the couple’s eldest child at that time was six years old while the youngest was five years old.

Robelyn was beyond grateful and thankful because of the cash grants she received, which definitely helped her family augment their income. With the cash grants, the couple not only secures their business’s growth but also buys food and vitamins, in addition to the school needs of their two children.

Robelyn expressed her appreciation to the organization that provided the cash grants, saying it has a significant impact on their family’s financial stability and overall well-being.

Through the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) of 4Ps, the family became strong, and all the lessons Robelyn learned from the session were applied and used as a guide in their chosen path.

As a result, their family relationship improved, and they were able to overcome the challenges they faced. They also became more resilient and supportive of each other, which helped them achieve their goals together.

Robelyn’s dream was to finish her college education; she dreamed of becoming an educator to inspire and share her knowledge with young people.

With the guidance of the FDS, she was encouraged to continue her studies.

On June 24, 2020, Robelyn completed her four-year degree education course. However, due to the pandemic, there was no physical graduation ceremony, and after two years, on October 2, 2022, she took the Licensure Examinations for Teachers and passed the board exam.

Robelyn’s determination and perseverance led her to successfully juggle her roles as a mother, student, and wife while pursuing her dream. Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

She is now an inspiration to many who face similar obstacles and encourages them to never give up on their dreams.

As Robelyn said, “Ug sa akong kalampusan ang ako ra gyud maingun, dili sayop ang ka pobrehon, sayop na kon nagpabilin ta diha nga sitwasyon. Ampo gyud sa Ginoo ug kakugi ang hinagiban sa hayahay nga kaugmaon. Pamilya ang himuon nga inspirasyon aron ikaw magmalampuson (And in my success, I can only say that poverty is not wrong; what is wrong is if we stay in that situation. Prayer to the Lord and hard work are the weapons to have a bright future. The family will be the inspiration for your success).”

Self-sufficient level

Robelyn expressed gratitude to the organization as she said, “DSWD, inyung tabang wala nakawang (DSWD, your help was not wasted).”

The couple is currently focused on completing the paperwork for the purchased lot before building their new house. For 11 years that they have been partner-beneficiaries of the program, the couple is grateful because they have achieved changes in their lives. The family exited the program in 2022 and joined the Provincial Saulog ceremonial 4Ps graduation in November 2022.

Furthermore, the family has two junkyards, and they also bought a vehicle to use in their business. The program has not only helped the family financially but also empowered them to become successful entrepreneurs. They are now able to sustain their children’s education and contribute to the local economy.

The Ango couple currently enrolled their children in Bantayan National High School; the eldest is in grade 11, while the youngest is in grade 10. The couple is proud of their children’s achievements and looks forward to their bright future. ###

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