“I will be forever grateful to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for making my dreams come true. I am a proud product of the program and a living proof that it really changes lives for the better,” Leonard Mico Anaten delightedly uttered.
After being a grantee of the Expanded Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA), he is now a Registered Social Worker who chose to be a 4Ps City Link. He has been currently living his aspiration of providing prompt and compassionate service to 928 household beneficiaries in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan on 21 February 2022.
Beneficiary before, now no more
“I really wanted to be part of the DSWD Field Office 1 workforce. I know how it feels like to be poor and this will be my inspiration in helping the beneficiaries improve their quality of life through 4Ps. No words can express how I feel now that I already achieved what I have been longing for. I am now living my dreams far from what I and my family used to have before. I keep on asking myself if this is real,” Leonard narrated.
Leonard’s household already graduated from the program in March 2022. He views the graduation of his household from the program as an evidence of empowerment wherein they can now support their family on their own by living by their learnings from the program.
“I may not have expensive things but I know I am now equipped with the knowledge I needed to be where I am today. I can now provide for my family’s needs,” Leonard confidently shared.
Trustworthy newbie
Parent Leader Ma. Theresa Managan from Brgy. Poblacion expressed her admiration for the dependability of Leonard as their City Link. “Kampante kami sa kaniya bilang City Link namin. Lagi niya kaming ginagabayan para kami ay maging compliant sa programa. Kahit bago pa lang siya, lagi niya kaming pinapaalalahanang dumalo sa Family Development Session. Lagi niyang iniintindi ang aming mga pagkukulang (We are complacent in him as our City Link. He always guides us for us to be compliant to the program. Despite being a newbie, he always reminds us to attend Family Development Session. He has always been considerate to our shortcomings,” Parent Leader Terie testified.
“I consider all 4Ps beneficiaries as architects of their own lives. I am only here to direct their path towards improvement of their quality of life. My employment at DSWD Field Office 1 is a huge opportunity for me to provide the beneficiaries the interventions they need taking off from my humble experiences as a beneficiary back then,” Leonard shared.
Dreamer for others
Now that Leornard is one of the trusted individuals in the eyes of the beneficiaries, he challenges himself to become their role model while performing his tasks as their source of strength in braving the fangs of poverty.
“I am here to support the beneficiaries in their everyday fight and enable them to help themselves. I want to see the best version of themselves, become empowered, and active members of the society. I will never get tired of doing my part because they are also part of my chosen journey,” Leonard said. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya)
