“Give man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This is an old saying that highlights the importance of empowering, and not just helping people. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its programs, is not only focused on providing assistance — it also seeks to help people “help themselves.”
One great example is Arlyn Analiza Oquendo, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of DSWD. Thanks to these programs, she was able to transform her skills into a thriving career — and is now teaching others to hone their capabilities, as well.
4Ps, SLP Beneficiary Now a Certified Dressmaking Trainer and Assessor
Hailing from Pandi, Bulacan, Arlyn Analiza Oquendo started out as a novice dressmaker. Today, she is a certified dressmaking trainer and assessor, according to a DSWD press release. Her story was also featured on “Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago” (Stories of Hope and Transformation), a DSWD online documentary.
Life Before 4Ps: A Daily Struggle
Before becoming a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Arlyn shared that life was a daily struggle for her family. A full-time mother to four children, she also worked as a seamstress, while her husband engaged in different kinds of jobs. Their daily income was small, but they were determined to put food on the table and to support their children’s schooling.
There were times when money was so tight, Arlyn recalled how the whole family would share a single fried egg during a meal. “Ngayon, lagi na lang namin yon nagiging katatawanan na (These days, we often joke about it),” she shared.
“Yung pag may mga kwentuhan namin ng mga bata eh… kami nga eh isang itlog nga eh, kailangan flat na flat yung itlog na isa. Tapos yung isang buong itlog na yun ipi-pizza namin sa anim (My kids and I would talk about… When we cooked an egg, it had to be really flat. That one egg would be cut like a pizza for six people),” she said.
Joining the 4Ps and SLP Programs
Things began to change for the better when Arlyn’s family became a beneficiary of the 4Ps program. Through the program’s health assistance, educational assistance, and other benefits, they were able to afford their daily needs and support the children’s schooling.
Moreover, Arlyn qualified for the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). The program offers two tracks: (a) Micro-Enterpise Development (MD), which focuses on creating micro-enterprises, providing financial capital, skills enhancement, business equipment, etc.; and (b) Employment Facilitation (EF), which assists participants in gaining employment based on their skills.
Aryln decided to purse the EF track, as she was keen on developing her skills in tailoring and getting a job.
Developing Her Skills in Tailoring
“Meron pong mga training na in-offer ang SLP. Bibigyan ka ng financial support, parang puhunan para mag-negosyo ako. And yung isa nga po yung dress making. Bali mas pinili ko po yung skills training. Nanahi ako, nagte-training pag-uwi ko saka po ako mananahi (The SLP offered some options. They could give financial support, as capital for staring a business. The other option was skills training, such as dressmaking. I chose the latter. I would attend training, then when I got home I would continue sewing),” Arlyn explained.
Arlyn attended a dressmaking class at ATEC (ATEC Technological College). ATEC is a technological-vocational institution; it is one of the SLP’s long-term partners in giving training and pre-employment assistance, particularly to those who are members of the “Association of Skills Livelihood Providers.”
Eventually, Arlyn finished her training, gained certificates, and graduated from ATEC. With these, she was able to pursue greater opportunities that once seemed impossible for her.
Becoming a Certified Trainer
Meanwhile, Arlyn’s trainer recognized her potential, and offered an opportunity for Arlyn to become a trainer herself. Arlyn, who is determined to improve her situation, decided to go for it!
“Nakitaan po ako ng potential nung aming trainer. So, in-introduce po ako dito sa ATEC. In-introduce po ako na potential akong trainer. Nagpursigi talaga ako na blessing naman. Sinamantala ko na yung pagkakataon (Our trainer saw my potential. So I was introduced to ATEC; introduced as a potential trainer. I accepted the offer, which was a blessing. I made the most of the opportunity),” she said.
As a trainer, Arlyn’s earnings have greatly increased. Before, she used to earn PHP 300 to PHP 600 a day as a seamstress. But now, she is earning PHP 1,200 a day, on average. The income provided financial stability and helped to improve her family’s quality of life.
Helping Fellow 4Ps Beneficiaries
Nowadays, Arlyn teaches dressmaking to her fellow 4Ps beneficiaries. She is keen on sharing her knowledge to others, as a way of empowering people to help improve their lives.
Arlyn shared: ”Ako po, nung nagkaroon ako ng opportunity na makapagturo, gusto ko pong ibalik sa mga kapwa kong 4Ps. Kasi yung mga tinuturuan ko mga 4Ps, gusto ko makita po ng mga kasamahan ko na kung ano po yung narating ko mas higit pa po nilang mararating yon (When I had the opportunity to teach, I wanted to share my skills to my fellow 4Ps members. In the future, I want them to achieve even greater things that I was able to do).”
Grateful for 4Ps and SLP
After everything that she has been through, Arlyn said that she is truly grateful for all the support and opportunities she had been given. According to her, the DSWD and ATEC have never stopped in providing her the tools and support she needed to succeed.
“Kung hindi po ba dahil sa SLP, magkakaroon po ba ako ng makina? Napaka-grateful ko po sa SLP habang buhay po akong magpapasalamat sa DSWD at SLP (If not for SLP, would I have a sewing machine? I am very grateful for SLP, I am forever thankful to the DSWD and SLP),” she declared.
About 4Ps and SLP Programs
The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program of the Philippine government. Established in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019 through Republic Act No. 11310, it provides conditional cash transfers to poor households, with the aim of improving their families’ health, nutrition, and education.
Meanwhile, the SLP is a capacity-building program that seeks to empower the poor by providing them with skills training, financial assistance, employment assistance, and other things they need to create and sustain their livelihoods.
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the 4Ps and SLP, Arlyn was able to transform her life and improve her family’s living situation. She already had the skills and potential, but these programs provided the necessary tools for enhancing her career. Today, she is able to give back by teaching and training other 4Ps members.
Indeed, it is truly inspiring to read stories of transformation like Arlyn’s. Meanwhile, in the field of sports, there’s a former 4Ps beneficiary who is now a popular international athlete. Check out this article to learn more about Frederick “The Flash” Ramirez!