Dumagat Children Sing Closing Songs

Divilacan, Isabela -- Divilacan, a 3rd class coastal municipality, literally means “a place where the fishes and shells abound”. Tourists are aware of its rich natural resources and verdant seas. However, the Dumagat tribe, which is considered the guardians of its nature, remains obscure and hides in their community by the side of the sea or in the thick wilderness. The tribe gradually breaks out of their shell when the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) came in Divilacan. 4Ps enables them to mingle with the townspeople by constantly attending the Parent Effectiveness Sessions (PES), which opens their mind to the value of education, their right to education, and the importance of availing health services. It had been their former belief that education is not necessary with the kind of lifestyle and culture they have. “The Dumagat families have learned to value education and its importance to the future of their children. They are now religiously sending their children to school not because they are afraid to be delisted from the program but because they became aware of their obligation as parents as they attend PES”, proudly said Mrs. Judith Dela Cruz, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Divilacan. She also added that during their Day Care closing ceremonies, several Dumagat pupils received awards for being best in numbers, writing and alphabet. It gives her immense satisfaction to see several Dumagat children finally singing graduation song together with other children. In the master list of Day Care pupils shown by Ms. dela Cruz, there were 8 Dumagats enrolled at the Day Care Center in Barangay Sapinit, 3 in Barangay Dicaruyan, 2 in Barangay Dimasalansan and 2 in Divilacan National High School for the school year 2009-2010. According to Ms. dela Cruz, this is the first time that there are Dumagat enrollees in day care centers. In the previous years, there were almost none. The Dumagat children derive extreme pride and joy in going to school with complete uniform. It is a completely novel experience for them as well as for their parents to see them in school uniform. Their parents also ensure that they eat a full meal before going to school, which they are now able to afford because of the cash grant they receive from 4Ps. 4Ps is a poverty reduction program implemented by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which focuses on the health and education of the poorest households with 0-14 year-old children. Divilacan is one of the 3 pilot areas of 4Ps in Region 02. It has 412 household beneficiaries, most of which are from the Dumagat tribe. With 4Ps coupled with the consistent support of their parents, Ms. dela Cruz believes that the younger generation of Dumagats shall become pioneer professionals that will set a better standard of living for their tribe.###(4Ps Social Marketing Unit)