Melissa during her graduation with her parents, Leonardo and Gemma.
contributed
A SCAVENGER’S family who used to live in White Road, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City has already waived benefits from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) four years ago but the family remains thankful to the program because it has helped them achieve their goals.
The 4Ps is a conditional cash transfer program of the government that invests in the health and education of poor children aged 0-18.
Leonardo and Gemma Magalona, who are now living in President Carlos P. Garcia town in Bohol, formerly resided in White Road along with their eight children — Leogem, Mary Gem, Melissa, Eleonor, Genard, Honey Jay, Lemuel and Leonard.
Leonardo used to work as a laborer in a shellcraft company and during his free time, he collected empty plastic bottles and tin cans in the dumpsite to augment the family’s income.
The collected items were then sold at the junk shop.
Melissa, who now works as a Pantawid Pamilya cluster compliance verification officer in Bohol, shared that her father did all the “dirty jobs” just to send them to school.
The Magalona couple did not complete their elementary education. Leonardo only finished Grade two, while Gemma reached Grade four.
Despite this, the couple strove to send all their children to school.
Melissa recalled instances when her parents had to forego meals because the food was not enough for all of them.
It was Melissa who decided to transfer their family to Bohol because aside from the unhealthy environment in the dumpsite, it was also unsafe for her younger siblings as drug addicts allegedly abound in the community.
Meanwhile, Leonardo and Gemma recalled how the Pantawid Pamilya cash grant they received from 2008 to 2012 has helped them.
“Gamay rato nga kwarta para sa uban pero para namu nga pobre daku na kaayo to nga tabang (Other people consider the cash grant small but for us who are poor it was already a big help),” said Gemma.
Currently, the couple is busy attending short classes to make up for their lost time. Just recently, they finished a soap-making seminar.
The Magalonas now earn income from their fishing boat and recharging station since their area has no power supply.
Their children are also sending them financial support. Four of their children finished college with flying colors and are now employed. The rest of their offspring are consistent honor students.
Melissa graduated cum laude in 2012.