“Ang mga boses ninyo bilang mga benepisyaryo ay napakahalaga sa implementasyon ng programa, dapat yang kilalanin at marinig,” stressed Assistant Regional Director and Pantawid Pamilya Deputy Project Manager Ponciana P. Condoy during the Skills Enhancement Training of Parent Leaders as Program Advocates which was conducted in two batches this month.

Forty-two Parent Leaders (PLs) from the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela attended the first batch of training held at Hotel Ivory, Tuguegarao City on September 10-13, 2013 and another 42 PLs from the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya for the second set held at Highlander Hotel, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on September 17-20, 2013.

The four-day training was filled with modules and exercises about Leadership, Building the Core and Effective Communication. These topics will equip the PLs with necessary skills to further perform their duties and responsibilities as leaders and to be partners of DSWD in advocating the program in their respective municipalities and cities.

Ms. Maricel Grace L. Gomez, the Pantawid Regional Program Coordinator also graced the activity and emphasized that their roles as PLs play a crucial role in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya.

Some of the duties of the PLs include spearheading the conduct of monthly meeting with members and relaying of announcements and updates about the program.

Also, the PLs are given tips on how to be co-promoters of Pantawid Pamilya to showcase the program’s impacts not just in the lives of the beneficiaries but in the community as well, and to further intensify support from the legislators and other stakeholders.

DSWD FO2 Information Officers Angely L. Mercado and Maricel B. Asejo discussed about Effective Advocacy and Dealing with Media.

There were also mock radio and TV interviews wherein the leader beneficiaries displayed their communication skills and their deep knowledge about Pantawid Pamilya.

PANTAWID DOES NOT BREED DEPENDENCY

In one of the mock radio interviews wherein the topic revolved on the issue that Pantawid Pamilya encourages indolence, the PLs strongly negated the allegation.

Mrs. Julieta B. Ramalloza, a beneficiary and a PL from Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya said that the program boosted their motivation and determination in achieving a more sustainable well being.

“Ang nakukuha po naming sa programa ay P1, 400 lang kada buwan, na pandagdag po. Kaya nga po Pantawid eh, kasi tinutulungan kaming maitawid ang mga pangangailangan ng mga bata, sa mga gamot at gamit sa paaralan,” said Mrs. Ramalloza.

The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the DSWD and to the government for implementing programs that cater to the welfare of the vulnerable and poor Filipino Families.

The training was spearheaded by Ms. Jesusa Joy Cabasag and Ms. Melanie Tumaliuan, Training Specialists.

Pantawid Pamilya is currently implemented in the 4 cities and 83 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya. As of now, there is a total of 94, 315 household beneficiaries in the region. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II