Posted on by Jaesem Ryan Gaces

Assistant Regional Director Marlene Febes D. Peralta (fourth from the right) together with the Regional Validators NACPhil Regional Director Pastor Mario Tomboc, Radyo Pilipinas Agoo Acting Station Manager Charity Frianeza, and Department of Health (DOH) Region 1 Management Development Officer III Maria Lourdes Ducusin awarded the Mendoza Family (center) with cash prize, plaque, and Certificate of Recognition. The DOH Region 1 also handed a sphygmomanometer and other medical apparatus to the family.

This year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 1 hails the Mendoza Family from Brgy. Nagtupacan, Santa Maria, Ilocos as the Regional Winner on the Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2017 held at the CSI Mall, City of San Fernando, La Union.

Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya is an annual search conducted by the DSWD as a way of promoting the Program as a source of responsible and model families. It also recognizes family-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate Filipino values, and have a positive impact in the community where they reside.

“Kaya naming gawin ang lahat para sa aming pinakamamahal na pamilya. Kaya naming magsakripisyo para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang apat naming mga anak. Pagsisikapan kong igapang ang binuo kong pamilya. Gusto kong maging mabuting ehemplo sa aking mga anak (We can do everything for our family. We are willing to sacrifice for the better future of our four children. I will strive more to sustain my family. I want to be a good example to my children)”, Renato Mendoza swears this to his family as his lifetime oath.

Cecilia proudly said that within their 16 years of marriage, Renato did not ever harm her and he has no vices at all. That is why Cecilia never ceases to double her effort to provide for their family’s needs through cooking and selling homemade delicacies to their neighborhood while her husband is a part time laborer and farmer.

According to Mr. Renato, “Ipagpapatuloy ko ang magandang imahe ko sa aking mga anak dahil nalaman ko sa Family Development Sessions na mahalaga ang papel ng ama sa pagpapalaki ng mga anak. (I will continue showing a good image to my children because I learned from the Family Development Sessions that a father plays a vital role in raising his children)”.

Claire Ann, 16; John Reycel, 13; Cherry Ann, 12; and Rodny John, 10 are all consistent honor students. They always actively participate in all their school activities and sometimes take the lead.

Cecilia as a Barangay Midwife Assistant is passionate in extending medical help and assistance to her co-residents. It is where she realizes her dream of becoming a Radiologic Technologist. She tried hard to earn for a sphygmomanometer for emergency situations.

The Mendoza Family bested the Castañeda Family from Brgy. Caaringayan, Laoac, Pangasinan, the Galiste Family from Brgy. Rizal, Tubao, La Union, and the Arimbuyoten Family from Brgy. Baligat, Batac City, Ilocos Norte as the first, second, and third runners-up, respectively.

Further, Assistant Regional Director Marlene Febes D. Peralta said that the DSWD Field Office 1 is proud of all the model families for proving that a family can be successful when the members are united. She also added that these families’ perseverance is the DSWD’s source of strength and motivation in rendering continuous prompt and passionate service to the disadvantaged sectors. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya)