“Nakitak nu kasano kinarigat sitwasyon iti maawanan ama ti pamilya, sunga inpapatik tapnu waday makatulong ken inak ya sin bebebsat ko (I experienced how our family struggled after the death of my father that is why I strived hard to provide for my mother and siblings)”, Danmark Ticong shared.
In July 2016, Danmark received Php 5,000 worth of Pre-Employment Assistance Fund (PEAF) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). He used the money to obtain requirements for his employment as an Office Staff in a private institution in Abatan, Bauko, Mountain Province.
A scholar since high school and with a dream of becoming an accountant someday, he enrolled in a tertiary school in La Trinidad, Benguet with Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology but had to stop and work.
“Ada piman scholarship ko nga isu nangbayad amin idi 1st year college ak ngem gapo iti barkada nabaybay ak grades ko sunga naawan jay scholarship ko, uray nu narigat intultuloy met iman parents ko nga nangbaybayad engana malpas ko din tawen asak nan sardeng ta men ubla (All expenses in school were paid through my scholarship when I was a 1st year college student, but due to too much wandering with friends, I neglected my grades and lost my scholarship. My parents continued to provide until the school year ended, even though they could hardly pay school expenses and allowances)”, Danmark said.
Danmark used the PEAF for his employment facilitation that lasted for 6 months wherein he was able to expand his skills and professional growth. After his contract, he joined free TESDA courses like cosmetology and tour guiding.
With the goal to achieve a degree, he went back to school, using earnings from his prior employment and with the support of his parents but was then devastated when his father suddenly died.
“Bigla ay natey si ama mi, kayat ko ay mensardeng tay syempre awanen iti mausar ngem kanan iman mama en ulay eutangak nan pang skwelam anusam ta ituloy mo ladta. Pirmi rigat na idi, man absent ken puyat ak ta enak men sideline sin parlor ngem ikakabil ko sin nemnem ko ay basta makapalpas ak (Suddenly my father died, I wanted to stop studying so that I could help my mother but she said that I should finish school. She will borrow money for my expenses in school. It was so hard but I had to help. I skipped classes and stayed up late to work at parlors and sideline during events in order for me to graduate)”, Danmark shared.
After graduating in 2018, he applied and was employed as an Administrative Aide III (Job Order) at the Local Government Unit of Bauko, Mountain Province.
“Maapreciate ko tadta nga agwowork ak ta makatultulong ak keni mamak ken dagiti aading ko nga ag-eseskwela kolehiyo. Adayo talaga iti makaskwela adi ka marigatan man anap si ubla ken adat kanayun nga amum nga magapwan iti income (I am proud that I am now working and earning income so that I could provide for my mother and siblings school expenses since they are now in college. Having a degree makes a difference as it is easier to find work and there is assurance of a regular source of income)”, Danmark added.
He used his savings as a capital for the store and a computer shop that he put up at their residence that his mother operates.
January this year, he was promoted to Administrative Assistant II (Casual).
Reminiscing his dream of becoming an accountant, he wants to go back to school and review for him to be eligible to take the board exam and be employed at a higher and permanent position. #DSWD-CAR Babble Mae M. Gorio, Sustainable Livelihood Program
