Advocating minimum for the future, the future of 4Ps beneficiaries
Testimony by: James Anthony Janeo Lanoba
Local Government Unit – Link
MAMBUSAO, Capiz – Minimithing change in the future and the future of the 4Ps beneficiaries is the dream of James Anthony Janeo Lanoba, 23-year-old resident of Sitio Bitayan, Barangay Caidquid of this town.
He is currently the Local Government Unit Link in the Mambusao Operations Office, and part of the Pantawid Pamilyang Filipino Program (4Ps) of the DSWD.
James graduated Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Financial Management in 2024 from St. Vincent College of Business and Accountancy in Leganes, Iloilo. She grew up in a plain but happy home with her parents Evelyn and Rodel. Mother is an elementary teacher, while father is a farmer and councilor in their barangay. He has a sibling, Jan Rove who graduated from the Information Technology course at Western Institute of Technology, Iloilo.
James was young and already filled with dreams and expectations. From elementary to high school, he received various awards. In Senior High School, he took the STEM strand and graduated with honors. During this time, he also participated in singing contests, poetry writing, editorial writing, and even mathematics contests, a testament to his zeal and multi-talentedness.
But once he went to college, a lot changed. He experienced the real challenge of life. He was a scholar of their school and of CHED-UniFAST from first year until graduation. Despite his academic works, he was also the President of their batch, a member of the oarBd of Trustees, and a student leader. Balancing everything, studies, internship, and school duties is tough but she chose to stand up and fight for her dream.
James has also experienced emotional challenges in the family, including misunderstanding and occasional judgment from those close to him. But it inspired him to persevere, to stand on his own feet, and to be strong in his morals and decisions.
On July 17, 2024 her long-awaited dream of graduating college came true. According to him, all the tiredness, sacrifices, and suffering were replaced by joy and happiness on the day of his graduation. Even though everything wasn’t easy, she made sure to be strong and believe in herself.
After graduation, he immediately looked for a job. With the help of an acquaintance at the town hall, he was given the opportunity to apply for a vacant position. Thankfully, he was accepted as LGU Link under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and assigned to the 4Ps program of DSWD.
At first, he observed the tasks, studied the terms and functions of the program, and eventually he successfully learned and performed each responsibility. He has been serving the public and the beneficiaries of the program for over a year. He met and interviewed many 4Ps members, and saw how the program helped make lives easier for those in need.
“The 4Ps helped a lot to the beneficiaries. I want to be a part of this positive change. I want to serve honestly, especially for the poor and needy,” James said.
For him, it’s not just work. It’s a mission. So his wish is to stay in service for a long time and, if allowed, become a regular part of DSWD in the future.
“I am the son of a teacher and a farmer. I grew up obedient, hardworking and with a dream. But my path hasn’t been easy. I choose to stand on my own feet, face life, and keep fighting. “So far, I’m happy to serve in a program that truly cares about people,” she added.
His story is a reminder to us that success isn’t easy-going. It takes struggle, to go through, and to persevere. Like the Ferris wheel of life – sometimes up, sometimes down – what matters is that we don’t give up, and we keep getting up. (Submitted by Mambusao MOO, Capiz POO/revised and edited by and by: Paul Andrie A. Farrol, WVSU Intern. DSWD Western Visayas
