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THREADS OF HOPE: LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM EMPOWERS ANGELES SEAMSTRESSES

What began as a response to an unprecedented crisis has grown into a lifeline for many Angeleño families.

Launched in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Angeleño First Livelihood Program, an initiative of outgoing Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., provided not only much-needed public health supplies but also hope and income to home-based seamstresses whose livelihoods had been upended by the pandemic.

Three of these seamstresses — Zenaida Dizon, Victoria Marie Pantig, and Janette Mallari Santos — shared how the program has transformed their lives.

For 53-year-old Zenaida Dizon of Barangay Tabun, the program was a turning point during a time of uncertainty.

“Sarado lahat ng establisyemento. Wala kaming trabaho. Kaya noong nakita ko sa Facebook na naghahanap ng mananahi ang munisipyo, agad akong nag-apply,” Dizon recalled.

With her decades of sewing experience, Dizon quickly adapted to the program, producing face masks, PPEs, and eventually school uniforms for indigent children in public schools.

“Yung kita, malaking tulong para sa amin. At ang mahalaga, nakakatawid kami at natutulungan namin ang ibang nanay at mga bata,” she said.

For 33-year-old single mother Victoria Marie Pantig of Sapangbato, the opportunity allowed her to continue supporting her family without leaving her child at home.

“Apat na taon na akong nananahi noon, pero natigil lahat nung pandemya. Buti na lang dumating yung proyekto ni Mayor Lazatin. Dahil dito, nakakapagtrabaho ako habang kasama ko ang anak ko sa bahay,” she shared.

Pantig emphasized the convenience of the program, where all materials are delivered to their homes and finished products are picked up after completion.

“Hindi na ako kailangang magtrabaho sa malayo. Kumpleto ang materyales, dinadala sa amin, at pinipick-up na rin ang produkto. Malaking ginhawa ito lalo na sa mga kagaya kong ina na kailangang alagaan ang anak.”

Janette Mallari Santos of Barangay Cutud, a mother of two, echoed these sentiments. She discovered the program through a relative who saw the city’s announcement online.

“Dahil matanda na ang nanay ko, hindi na ako makapagtrabaho sa labas. Kaya nang makasali ako dito, sobrang laking blessing talaga. Nakakatulong ako sa asawa ko at sa mga anak kong nag-aaral,” Santos said.

Beyond helping their own households, the women also recognized the broader impact of their work — thousands of public school students receiving free school uniforms.

“Yung perang ipambibili sana ng uniform, napupunta na lang sa pagkain o ibang pangangailangan,” Santos added.

As Mayor Lazatin moves on to his new role as Pampanga First District Representative, the seamstresses expressed their hope for the continuity of the program.

“Si Mayor Pogi ang nagsimula ng lahat ng ito. Sana po ipagpatuloy ng bagong pamunuan ang kanyang nasimulan,” Pantig appealed. “Hiling po namin na palawakin pa ang proyekto. Marami pa po kayong matutulungan.”

With gratitude, they thanked the mayor for six years of meaningful support.

“Mayor Pogi, maraming salamat po sa anim na taon ng tulong at malasakit sa amin. Hindi lang po trabaho ang ibinigay niyo, kung hindi pag-asa,” said Dizon.

Pantig added, “Ngayon na kayo’y nasa Kongreso, sana mas marami pa po kayong maabot gamit ang ganitong programa.”

As Angeles City welcomes a new administration, the stories of Zenaida, Victoria, and Janette highlight how community-driven livelihood programs, even born out of crisis, can leave lasting legacies of empowerment and hope — one stitch at a time.

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