“Hindi ko kailanman inisip na lumaban pa dahil sa mga masasakit na salitang binato sa akin. Pinili ko na lang na tumahimik dahil naniniwala akong tama ang ginagawa ko. Gusto ko lang namang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan sa aming barangay (I never thought of fighting back for the harsh words thrown at me. I just chose to remain silent because I believe I am doing the right thing. I just want to offer myself to be of service to those in need in our barangay),” Parent Leader Dominga Picar humbly said.

She narrated that someone attacked her with these words, as she quoted, “Wala kang karapatang tumulong sa iba dahil isa ka lang na poor na poor na poor! (You have no right to lend a hand because you are just very poor!)”

Though she felt so embarrassed, she just let it pass. Her Pantawid Pamliya members persuaded her to be strong and to continue being an instrument in extending services to the poor in their locality. Her members even pushed her to run for Brgy. Kagawad way back 2013, which she turned down at first.

With her passion to be a servant to those in need, she accepted the challenge of her members. Prior to that, she was approached by her persecutor and Dominga accepted her apology.

Dominga was then proclaimed as part of the Brgy. Council. According to her, “Ginawa ko ito, hindi dahil sa kagustuhan ko lang kundi para mas magkaroon ako ng karapatan na tumulong at wala nang makapipigil pa sa akin (I did this not for my own will but to have the right to help others so no one can ever hold me back from doing it.)”

She firmly added “Kahit salat ako sa yaman, buong lakas at tapang ko pa ring ipagpapatuloy ang pagtulong sa aking mga kapwa benepisiaryo sa abot ng aking makakaya, oras, at kakayahan. Ipaglalaban ko ang Pantawid Pamilya hanggang sa huli (Though I lack resources, I can still serve my co-beneficiaries with all my might, time, and abilities. I will fight for Pantawid Pamilya until the end.)” (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/ Pantawid Pamilya)