Model family from Bohol to receive award today

CEBU, Philippines - The family from Bohol recognized for overcoming life’s challenges with the help of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be awarded formally today.

The Ewican family from Barangay Alegria in Carmen was identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 as this year’s “Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya” in Central Visayas, besting 40 other families.

Couple Genaro and Norma has six children but managed to send all to school with the cash aid from the program. All six children have also excelled in their studies – two are in college while two are in high school.

The two others who have finished high school are helping provide for the family, as Genaro’s income as a farmer simply isn’t enough to cover their daily needs. Norma also helps earn for the family as councilwoman in the barangay but her P3,000 income can only go so far.

Norma ran for barangay councilwoman after her skills were recognized in her involvement in the activities in the community and even at her children’s school. She earned the second highest number of votes during the elections.

  “We may not have so much wealth but our children and their achievements have been our priceless possessions,” Genaro said.

The couple’s aim to provide education to their children prompted Genaro and Norma to avail of the program in 2011. Under the program, high school students receive P500 each while elementary students receive P300 each.

The search for the outstanding family like the Ewican family seeks to recognize beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that manages to maintain strong ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and inculcate positive impact in the community.

As the regional winner, the Ewican family will automatically represent the DSWD Field Office VII for the national search. The winner in the national level will receive P30,000 and a plaque of recognition.

The other families that made it to the regional search include the Albasin family of Dumanjug, Cebu (first runner-up), Ates family of Maria, Siquijor (second runner-up), and Alaban Family of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental (third runner-up).

Last year, the Hermocilla family of Sagbayan, Bohol topped the regional search.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was implemented in Bohol in 2010 and has at least 50,000 active beneficiaries./JMO (FREEMAN)