A Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) partner-beneficiary in Sagbayan town in Bohol reminisced about the time before they got into the program, when life was tough for their family, as they had difficulties with having food to serve at their table.

“Nakasulay gayud kami hasta pagpangita og sud-an ibutang sa lamesa maglisod mi tungod sa kawad-on (We have experienced that we have difficulties in putting food on their table because we have nothing in our pocket),” said Erlinda.

For Erlinda Ando, 56, a mother of four children, those memories are still vivid when even putting food on the table was a struggle.

Together with her husband, Victor Sr., Erlinda faced the early years of their marriage with determination but very limited means. Without regular income, they relied on daily labor and tenant farming to support their growing family. The hardship became more pressing when their four children began entering school.

There were days when the children went to class without snacks or pocket money, and often without proper school supplies. Bags were reused until worn out, and some school activities were missed simply because the family couldn’t afford them. For Erlinda, securing their daily meals remained the top priority, often putting other expenses on hold.

As the pressure grew, Victor Sr. tried to expand his skills, learning to operate a hand tractor to earn more. But even that additional income was short-lived and barely sufficient for their basic needs—especially as their children reached higher grade levels.

A Turning Point with 4Ps

In 2011, the Ando family’s story began to change when they were enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer program of the national government.

Three of their children—Vincent, Victor Jr., and Varoon—became monitored beneficiaries, receiving educational grants that helped cover their school needs. The family also received health grants through regular attendance at the monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) and consistent visits to health centers for health check-ups.

The Ando family was happy to have a newfound hope as the program provided augmentation support for their education and health aspects.

“Ang natabang sa programa sa akong pamilya bililhon ug mahinungdanon tungod kay sukad sa pagsugod sa programa nga nakadawat ko sa cash grants, nahinayhinay nako nga nahatag ang mga gikinahanglan sa akong mga estudyante (The support from the program through the cash grants that we received means a lot to our family because I was able to provide the needs of my children gradually),” said Erlinda.

In the past, Erlinda discouraged her children from joining extracurricular activities due to financial constraints. But with the program’s support, she was able to provide for uniforms, supplies, and allowances, allowing her children not just to attend school, but to engage and thrive in their studies.

While working as a Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) in Barangay Katipunan, Sagbayan, she decided to start doing vegetable gardening and sell the fresh produce in their barangay and nearby communities.

She opened a small sari-sari store, where she also sells her garden produce like pumpkin, cabbage, corn, sweet potato, and okra. Meanwhile, Victor Sr. continued working in the rice fields and began to earn more than he did before.

Their combined income, supplemented by the 4Ps cash grants, gave them enough to cover food, school expenses, and other family needs.

“Wala na kami kaayo apektohi sa kalisod tungod kay duna nay dugang pinansyal nga abag sa among gamay nga kita kada bulan (We are not that much affected by financial struggles because we already receive additional financial support in our earnings every month),” said Erlinda.

Erlinda, as a volunteer 4Ps Parent Leader, stressed that she also learned many developmental topics through her monthly participation in the Family Development Session (FDS), which in turn she also shared with her family.

“Sukad pagsugod hantod karon wala koy problema sa programa tungod kay nakatuman ko sa mga kondisyones niini. Ang akong mga bata maayo ang performance sa eskwelahan isip mga benepisyaryo ubos sa 4Ps (We have had no problem with the program since the beginning until now because we have complied with all conditions of the program. All my children have good performances in school as beneficiaries under the 4Ps),” said Erlinda.

Reaping the Fruits of Hope and Hard Work

Over time, their household transitioned from survival to self-sufficiency. Erlinda also became more active in her community, joining sectoral associations like women’s and farmers’ associations and civic activities in Sagbayan.

As economic and social standing improved, the Ando family officially graduated from the 4Ps—a testament to their resilience and hard work in uplifting their living conditions.

Vernalyn, the eldest daughter, is now a licensed Criminologist and serves as a Philippine Army Officer after finishing a special training course. She worked her way through college for three years.

Vincent, the second child, finished secondary education degree. He now works as a call center agent in an international company.

Victor Jr., the third child, is a senior high school graduate. He works as a lineman at Globe Telecom in Cebu and plans to pursue college this school year (2024-2025).

Their youngest, Varoon, is in Grade 10 at San Agustin National High School in their hometown.

The hardships they endured, coupled with the couple’s perseverance and the support from the program, inspired their children to stay focused on their studies.

“Before, we struggled a lot to find food. Now, we can finally eat properly and even enjoy snacks—thanks to our hope, perseverance, and the support we received from the program,” said Erlinda in dialect.

From hunger to hope, and from hardship to a brighter tomorrow—the journey of the Ando family stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, community support, and a program that champions the strength of the Filipino family. ###