With the aim to showcase and strengthen its partnership with the Civil Society Organizations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 conducted strings of CSO-Led Fora this March.

The first activity kicked-off in the Province of Cagayan which was held at the K Servico Function Room in Tuguegarao City on March 6, 2015. The Rotary Club of Tuguegarao Rainbow spearheaded the event which was attended by the Parent Leaders beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, scholars of the Students’ Grants in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) and partners from the CSOs and media.

Meanwhile, the second round of the fora was conducted in the City Hall of Cauyan in the Province of Isabela which was led by the Cauayan City Green Ladies Organization or the CCGLO on March 13, 2015.

Both event highlighted on the sharing of testimonies of the beneficiaries regarding the impacts of DSWD’s programs in their lives and in their families especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program. Some student grantees under the SGP-PA also talked about how the scholarship has helped in the realization of their dreams.

SHARING OF ‘PAGBABAGO’ STORIES

One of the Parent Leaders who shared her story of transformation was Jonalyn Tamayo, a Pantawid beneficiary from Ballesteros, Cagayan.

“Dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya, may pambaon na sa paaralan ang aking mga anak at naaagapan na rin namin kung sila ay nagkakasakit,” Jonalyn said.

She also mentioned that through the Family Development Sessions, she became more active and a responsible member of their community.

Also, Rochelle Ignacio, an SGP-PA scholar from Amulung, Cagayan said that she is now close in reaching her dreams as she pursue her studies at Isabela State University-Cabagan Campus taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

The SGP-PA is a tie-up college scholarship program of DSWD and the Commission on Higher Education for the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamila wherein a student grantee is entitled to a maximum of P30, 000 pesos per semester.

IN THE SPIRIT OF CONVERGENCE   

DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan also stressed on the importance of collaborating with the different sectors like the CSOs in the implementation of social protection programs and services. Partner CSOs take part in the department’s four areas of engagement, namely: Gabay, Tulay, Bantay and Kaagapay.

Tapispisan also emphasized the DSWD’s continuous commitment in uplifting the lives of the poor and the vulnerable.

“Kami sa DSWD ay ipagpapatuloy ang magiliw, mahusay at matapat na paglilingkod. Kami ay nalulugod na marinig ang inyong mga kuwento ng pagbabago at sana patuloy ang magandang pagbabago na ‘yan upang tuluyan ang inyong pagtawid tungo sa kaunlaran,” Tapispisan said.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a human-development program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor Filipino children aged 0-18 years old. Cash grants are provided to families in exchange of compliance to health and education conditionalities. Parents must also attend the Family Development Sessions. ### By MARICEL B.ASEJO, Information Officer II- Pantawid Pamilya