The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) representative has cl(–foul word(s) removed–)ified the family of legendary folk singer Freddie Aguilar’s girlfriend as part of the “poorest of the poor” in the province of Oriental Mindoro.
Maridel Rodriguez of DSWD said that family of Aguilar’s 16-year-old girlfriend has been recipient of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4ps) since 2008.
Records of the department also revealed that Jovi Gatdula and her other two siblings had an allowance of P300 when they were still below 14-years old and the entire family also got P500 for health and nutrition (–foul word(s) removed–)istance.
The visit of the DSWD to the house of the 16-year-old was in line with the department’s effort to get a “better understanding of the situation.”
The agency also takes the necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the child, adding that they are eager to know the reason behind the consent given by the parents, as well as the child’s reason for entering the now-controversial love affair.
Despite belonging to the “poorest of the poor,” Rodriguez said the 16-year-old girl’s relationship with the OPM icon will not affect her family’s enrollment in the government program because it’s a separate case.
New Home:
Meanwhile, the Inquirer described the child’s house as “typical of many others in the neighborhood.”
Structures of the house composed of plywood, galvanized iron, bamboo and wood. And there were only few multistory concrete houses owned by families of overseas Filipino workers in the area.
In regard with this controversial issue, parents of 16-year-old move to another place and they admitted that both of them are the subject of ridicule because of their support for the May-December relationship.
Gatdula family are currently renting an apartment located a few kilometers from their family home, the mother stressed that they do not ask Aguilar to pay for their rent.
“We’re not making Freddie pay for this; that may be in people’s mind,” she said, adding that they pay for the rent from a loan.
They’re in love:
In an exclusive interview with “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday, the parents of Aguilar’s girlfriend expressed their support for their daughter’s controversial relationship with the singer.
“Hindi ko na rin mapigilan. Kung pipigilan mo, lalo pong magwawala ‘yan eh. Baka mas mapariwara ang buhay. Kaya sabi ko, kung ano ang gusto niya, ‘sige, suportahan na lang kita,” the mother said.
Much to the delight of the couple, they saw their daughter become more mature because of the relationship.
“Malaki po ang pinagbago. Ako po’y natutuwa sa pinagbago nang batang iyon. Mas mature na siya, mas may paggalang na siya sa amin ngayon,” she said.
