“Kahit anong kayod ang gawin ng aking asawa, kulang pa rin ang kaniyang kinikita. Ni hindi kami makakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw noon. Kasama ng aking mga panalangin sa Diyos gabi-gabi ay ang aking mga luha habang hinihiling ang Kaniyang tulong at gabay (My husband worked so hard but it was never enough to provide everything we needed. We cannot even afford to eat three times a day before. My prayers to God every night are coupled with my tears while asking for His help and guidance),” Marivic Vaness P. Gonzales shared.

Marivic’s household is a graduating 4Ps beneficiary from Brgy. Amamperez, Villasis, Pangasinan. “Naranasan ng aking pamilya ang walang maihain, matulog nang walang laman ang tiyan, at mangutang sa kamag-anak. Naranasan din ng mga bata ang pumasok nang gutom at walang baon (My family experienced to have no food on our plates, sleep with an empty stomach, and borrow money from our relatives. Our children also experienced going to school hungry and with no allowance),” Marivic tearfully relayed.According to Marivic, since 2013, 4Ps became God’s instrument in meeting the needs of her two children particularly in school. Through the Family Development Sessions, Marivic learned to save money for the future. Her husband Victor, is a tricycle driver while Marivic ventured into fish and vegetables. They resorted to microfinance to augment Marivic’s capital in selling fish. They would travel as far as the Province of Nueva Vizcaya for farm work in order to have an additional income. Victor and Marivic had sleepless nights. Through their diligence and strong will to succeed, they were able to attain a comfortable life.

In 2021, Marivic’s dream house came to reality built through their hard-earned income. Now, the household enjoys a comfortable life in a three-storey house with appliances and gadgets. Also, the couple was able to purchase a commercial vehicle for their business, something that they never expected to happen.Marivic gratefully relayed how the 4Ps helped her household in so many ways like strengthening parent-child relationship; importance of health, nutrition, and education; and spirituality among others. The 4Ps became an eye opener for them to let their children value the importance of education and even taught them to be focused on their goal in life.

“Isang napakalaking pribilehiyo ang mapasama sa 4Ps. Patuloy akong magpapasalamat sa programang ito. Taas noo, masasabi kong kaya na naming tumayo sa sarili naming mga paa. Panahon na para ibigay naman ito sa iba (It is indeed a great privilege to be part of 4Ps. I will always be grateful for this program. I am confident to say that we can now stand on our own feet. It is time to give this privilege to others),” Marivic proudly conveyed.

Marivic reminded the future 4Ps household beneficiaries to value the cash grants received and knowledge acquired from the program. Also, she proudly claims that she is now a renewed individual transformed by the ideals of the program. (by: Mark Theodore M. Mamuyac, Project Development Officer II/LGU Focal Person)