The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office II is again on its quest to identify the most exemplary family beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the Cagayan Valley region.

The Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya is a nationwide advocacy activity of the department which aims to give recognition to family beneficiaries who religiously followed the conditions of the program and who exhibits good Filipino values and strong family ties.

Presently, the Provincial Operations Office of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya conduct screening to identify their provincial nominee. The four family entries will compete for the regional level and will be subjected to interviews and field validations which will be spearheaded by the Regional Program Management Office together with partners from the national government agencies and civil society organizations. The winning family beneficiary will be the region’s contender for the national title.

The family of Mrs. Ynes Gadingan from Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya, last year’s regional winner, said that the recognition given to them by DSWD has motivated them to be more responsible beneficiaries and even encouraged their fellows to fulfill their responsibilities as recipients of the program.

“Hinihikayat namin ang aming mga kapwa beneficiaries gampanan ang kanilang mga responsibilidad sa programa tulad na lang ng pagsunod sa mga kondisyon. Dapat sinisiguro rin na ang cash grants ay gamitin sa tama, yung para sa kalusugan ng pamilya lalo na sa edukasyon ng mga bata,” Ynes said.

Meanwhile, winning family beneficiaries will receive cash prizes and will serve as advocates of the department in communicating the impacts of the program.

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. In exchange of cash grants, children must be enrolled in school and must regularly visit health centers. Parents must also attend the Family Development Sessions.

As of now, there are 96, 638 household beneficiaries for region 02. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II