We met Mr. Johnny Tolentino alias Mang Toto at Barangay
Poblacion Hall, T'Boli, South Cotabato last May 29 during the recent National
Media Tour. He is one of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (PPPP) beneficiaries
of DSWD who became successful, thanks to the monthly cash grant that
beneficiaries like him receive from the government.
Starting out with only the grant of P4,000.00 from Pantawid
Pamilya (PPPP) in 2009 and P10,000.00 from SEA-K,
Mang Toto ventured into vegetable farming. Fortunately, the constantly
increasing demand for his farm products ensured his success as a vegetable
grower. Now, he is earning a whopping
P100,000.00 a month and is currently one of the major suppliers of bell
pepper in South Cotabato and even Manila.
Mang Toto is always eager in sharing his experience and
continues to inspire other Pantawid Pamilya (PPPP) beneficiaries in his town. He
encourages other beneficiaries to wisely spend the money that they are
receiving from the government and to never lose hope even if they are mired in
poverty. Mang Toto further advises the beneficiaries to continue doing whatever
it takes to give their own families whatever they need in life. Lastly, he
reminded them to work as a family. In his case, he said that his wife had been
helping him so much in achieving the goals and dreams of their family.
The "rags to riches" story of Mang Toto is so
moving, that the roomful of people listening to him (beneficiaries or
otherwise) cannot help but be hopeful about their future, including yours truly.
One can feel the atmosphere energized by the courage and optimism of this man
and his success story, which all started from a little seed money courtesy of
DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (PPPP).
