On most days in Madalag, Aklan, Mary Jane Francisco can be seen moving carefully, mindful of the body that no longer allows her to work the way it once did. At 54, she lives with an orthopedic disability, the result of an accident that happened more than two decades ago.
Yet, despite her physical limitations, Mary Jane continues to show that there is still room for purpose, contribution, and quiet pride in everyday life.
Mary Jane is one of the 246 beneficiaries of the KALAHI-CIDSS’ (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) cash-for-work (CFW) program for PWDs in Madalag. The program gave her not only temporary income, but also the chance to once again be part of her community in a meaningful way.
Before her injury, Mary Jane worked hard to support her family.
In 2000, while her child was still young, she sold fish for a living, often exchanging them for rice when buyers had no cash. It was during one of these trips, carrying heavy sacks of palay, that an accident changed her life.
“Dati nga ano, 2000 nagsimula yung akon nga, may maliit akong anak, tapos nagtitinda ako ng ng isda, napalitan ko ng palay. Tapos kung mabili yung isda napalitan ko ng palay at yun ang nakuha ko,” Mary Jane shared.
Years later, assistance came through the local Persons with Disabilities office, which informed her about the CFW program under KALAHI-CIDSS.
“Nag-monitor po kami at nag-contact rin po sa amin ang opisina [PWD] dito sa Madalag na merong cash-for-work [program] na kahit papaano ay nakatulong sa amin, kung saan pwede kaming magtrabaho kung makakaya namin lalong lalo na nga ng aming mga katawan,” Mary Jane said in Ilonggo.
The KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty reduction program of the Philippine government implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It employs a community-driven development (CDD) approach, allowing residents to take part in projects that directly address local needs while encouraging participation and shared responsibility.
Through the program, Mary Jane joined other PWD beneficiaries in doing light community work such as pulling weeds and cleaning roads in their barangay. The tasks were adjusted to what their bodies could manage, allowing them to work with dignity and without pressure.
“Natutunan namin sa aming ginagawang trabaho dahil kayo ay nagbubunot ng damo, lahat ng mga daan ay aming nililinisan, lahat ay ginagawa namin upang maging masaya rin ang aming barangay,” Mary Jane happily shared.
For Mary Jane, the financial support, though limited, helps meet daily needs, especially food and medicine—expenses that are often difficult to cover when regular work is no longer possible.
“So ma’am kahit konting tulong sa amin ay nakatutulong din sa aming pamilya at pangangailangan namin kahit sa pagkain lang namin at sa gamot namin,” she said.
Beyond the assistance, what mattered most to Mary Jane was the chance to be useful again and to give something back to the community where she belongs.
She remains thankful for being included in the program and hopes that similar opportunities will continue for other persons with disabilities.
“Masaya kami dahil nakatulong pa kami sa aming barangay. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ganitong programa dahil nakapasok ako sa cash-for-work program para sa mga PWD at sana ay matulungan pa nila kami at sana ay meron pa sa susunod pang mga programa na makatulong pa sa kapwa ko PWD,” Mary Jane said. (KI)
