27/07/2026
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๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ | Beyond the diagnosis: Wilma's journey of strength and hope
Raising children is never easy, especially for a parent who has to do it alone. For Wilma D. Bautista, the challenge became even greater when she was diagnosed with cancer, making her a survivor and a recognized person with disability (PWD).
Despite the difficulties, she remained determined to provide for her family and build a better future.
Wilma, a resident of Brgy. Rizal, Anao, Tarlac, relies on farming as her primary source of income. Working on the land she inherited from her parents, she continues to cultivate crops to support the daily needs of her family while facing life's many challenges with strength and hope.
As a single mother, Wilma raised her two sons, now 27 and 22 years old, by herself. She took on the responsibilities of both parents while managing the financial burden of sending her children to school and covering the costs of her cancer treatment. Although the journey was far from easy, she never gave up on her family.
Her determination also led her to become an active member of the Rizal-Anao Farmers and Livelihood Association, Inc., where she now serves as the association's secretary. Through her involvement, she continued to support not only her own family but also fellow farmers in their community.
According to Wilma, the assistance provided through the Department of Agriculture โ Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program became an important source of support as she worked toward rebuilding her life and strengthening her family's livelihood.
โMalaking tulong po ang impact ng SAAD sa buhay ko as someone na single parent at cancer survivor at the same time. Masasabi ko talagang nakadugtong ang program sa buhay namin mag-iina,โ she shared.
(The SAAD Program has made a huge difference in my life as a single parent and a cancer survivor. I can truly say that the program has become part of our lives as a family.)
One of the most significant forms of assistance Wilma received through the SAAD Program was the provision of seeds and fertilizers. These farm inputs helped reduce her production costs, allowing her to continue farming without having to borrow money to finance each cropping season.
"Unang-una po sa pag-finance sa bukid, imbes po kasi na manghiram ako sa kung sino-sino ay may libre na pong dumating na mga binhi at pataba na galing sa SAAD," she shared.
(Instead of borrowing money to finance my farm, I received free seeds and fertilizers from the SAAD Program. That was a great help.)
The assistance enabled Wilma to save on farming expenses and maximize the income she earned from her corn production. With lower production costs, she was able to allocate more of her earnings to her family's daily needs and her ongoing medical treatment.
"Pangalawa po sa gamot ko dahil na mamanage ko nang maayos ang aking kinikita. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako nang sobra sa SAAD Program," Wilma said.
(It also helped me manage my medical expenses because I was able to use my income more wisely. That is why I am truly grateful to the SAAD Program.)
For Wilma, the support she received went beyond agricultural inputs. It eased the financial burden of farming and gave her greater confidence that, despite the challenges she faced as a single mother and cancer survivor, she could continue providing for her family while taking care of her own health.
Recently, she celebrated another meaningful milestone as her youngest son earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. For Wilma, his graduation was the fruit of years of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering determination to provide a better future for her children despite the many challenges she faced.
Wilma's journey reflects how government programs such as the DA-SAAD can make a meaningful difference in the lives of farmers. Through the provision of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural interventions, she was able to sustain her farming livelihood, lessen production costs, and continue supporting both her family and her medical needs.
Beyond improving her own livelihood, Wilma remained committed to serving her community. As secretary of the Rizal-Anao Farmers and Livelihood Association, Inc., she actively participated in the organization's activities and supported initiatives that strengthened the association and benefited fellow farmers.
For Wilma, the SAAD Program became more than a source of agricultural assistance. It provided opportunities that helped her rebuild her life, support her children's education, and move forward with hope.
Her story stands as a testament to the resilience of Filipino farmers and the positive impact of continued government support in creating more secure and sustainable livelihoods. # # #
Writer: Gennadiy D. Concepcion, Information Officer II, DA-SAAD Central Luzon
