Pregnant woman carries sacks of charcoal to support family

A pregnant woman from Cebu was spotted carrying sacks of charcoal despite her condition to support her family.

According to an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the woman, whose name is Ginalyn, is five months pregnant and a mother to two-year-old twins.

Her partner, Argie, could not help her due to a neck wound that he got from an accident.

Ginalyn lifts up to 30 kg of charcoal that she sells for P15 per sack to earn an income and buy food.

"Tinatalian ko lang Ma'am tapos kinakarga ko sa likod ko. Ang isang sako nasa 15 kilos tapos dalawang sako so 30 kilos po lahat Ma'am," she said.

("I just tie them then carry them on my back. One sack is around 15 kilos, I carry two sacks so it's 30 kilos in total.")

Argie looks after one of their children, while Ginalyn carries the other twin up her shoulders. They have no choice, as no one else can watch over the young ones.

The work is slow going, as she has to be careful not just of herself and her child, but also the baby inside her womb.

"Umiiwas lang din ako sa mga bangin-bangin. Humahawak lang din ako sa mga gilid para hindi ako ma-slide na nagkakarga ako ng uling."

("I avoid the cliffs. I just try to hold on to the sides so I don't slip when I carry the charcoal.")

Exposing their children to charcoal is also not safe, as they sometimes get burns from accidentally getting into contact with the still hot material.

"Nababahala rin ako sa kanilang health na makalanghap ng usok galing sa uling dahil maalikabok. Pero wala namang ibang magbabantay," Ginalyn said.

("I'm concerned about their health because they can inhale smoke from the charcoal. But there's no one else to watch over them.")

Argie admits feeling guilty that Ginalyn has to shoulder the burden of providing for their family while she is pregnant.

"Minsan naiiyak ako Ma'am kasi siya kumikilos kasi hindi na ako nakakapagtrabaho. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, umuwi na lang sila sa kanila," he said.

("Sometimes I feel like crying because she does everything as I cannot work. I told her to just go home to her family.")

Ginalyn, however, has no intention of leaving him behind.

"Minsan sinasabi niya na, 'Iwan mo nalang ako kasi imbes na ako nagtatrabaho, ikaw ang nagtatrabaho.' Nung panahon na wala pa siyang dinaramdam sa leeg niya, inalagaan din niya kami ng mga anak niya tapos ngayon na kailangan niya kami kaya hindi ko siya iiwan Maam."

("Sometimes he tells me, 'Just leave me because instead of me working, it's you who has to do it.' When he didn't have a wound yet on his neck, he took care of me and our children so now that he needs us, I won't leave him.")

To make some extra income, Ginalyn is also working at a barbecue place, where she earns P100 per day.

Still, her income is barely enough to buy their family's needs. After selling four sacks of charcoal, she earned a total of P160 one day, which she used to buy rice, milk, and soap. It cost her P110, and she saved the remaining P50 in preparation for her birth.

So far she has only saved P1,700, far from her target of P5,000.

"Ang iniisip ko lang 'yung mga anak ko na kung sakali sumuko ako, paano na lang sila? Mataas 'yung pangarap ko para sa kanila Ma'am," she said.

("I think of my children because if I give up, what would happen to them? I have dreams for them.")

To help the family, KMJS took the children and the couple for a checkup. The children are thankfully of proper weight for their age, but the doctor is concerned about the risks of their exposure to charcoal and smoke, which can cause pneumonia or even lung cancer.

Argie's neck wound is already healing, but its proximity to the brain makes it risky should it get infected. The doctor also caught something in his lungs, so they will check if he has pneumonia.

Ginalyn, meanwhile, is warned of the risks of continuing her strenuous activities. She might bleed or even suffer a miscarriage.

To ensure the health of the baby, KMJS also sent Ginalyn for an ultrasound, where she learned her child's gender. The family also received a cash gift and grocery items to help their needs as they prepare for the birth.

The local government of Tabogon, Cebu also promised to provide another livelihood for the couple so they don't have to expose their family to charcoal and smoke.

Meanwhile, Gert Libang, Chairperson of Gabriela Alliance of Women highlighted the importance of providing for soon-to-be mothers, especially for those who belong to the informal sector.

"More than 50% ng kababaihan natin ay nasa informal sector. Walang magbibigay sa kanila ng maternity leave. Kasi kapag hindi sila kumayod, hindi naman sila kakain. Dapat tiyakin ng pamahalaan ang libreng serbisyo para sa prenatal, post natal at libreng paanak."

("More than 50% of our women are from the informal sector. No one will provide them with maternity leaves. Because if they don't work, they won’t have anything to eat. The government should make sure that their prenatal, postnatal,and birthing costs would be covered.")

KMJS took the family for an outing at an Oceanarium so they can relax and enjoy for a short time.

"Sa kanila ako kumukuha ng lakas. Ako lang mag-isa dito kaya kailangan ko talagang magsikap. Ginawa ko lahat Sir para sa kanila Sir," Ginalyn said.

("I get my strength from them. I'm the only one who can work so I need to endure. I do everything for them.")

For those who wish to send help, you may send your donations to:

Landbank of the Philippines (Bogo City Branch)
Account Number: 0936193854
Account Name: Ginalyn A Rabago

—MGP, GMA Integrated News