We live in a world where difference in beliefs, cultures and customs continue to thrive. But amid all these idiosyncrasies, there will always be that one thing which will going to bind us together. When the call to help and to serve comes, that’s when we are ready to hold each other’s hands.

It was in 2010 when the country’s version of the Conditional Cash Transfer kissed the lands of Jones, in the Province of Isabela. Popularly known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, it is a human development and rights-based program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor Filipino children aged 0-18 years old by providing cash grants in exchange of compliance to certain conditionalities.

The municipality of Jones is home to 1,025 Pantawid beneficiaries.  This is quite a huge number and entails bigger responsibility and workload, but because of the zeal and support of the Local Government Unit, the program is being implemented smoothly.

Interwoven Partnership

The Local Government Unit of Jones headed by Mayor Leticia T. Sebastian is very supportive of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. This can be gleaned through the active participation of its municipal offices during Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) Meetings, as well with the provision of technical and logistical supports to the Municipal Links when there are activities related to program implementation.

“We believe in the program of the national government,” starts Mr. Noimi L. Guerrerro, the Municipal Administrator, “that’s why we are giving our full support for Pantawid Pamilya, since its prime recipient are those people who are really in need.”

Consequently, the LGU has conducted activities that cater to Pantawid beneficiaries, like free birth registration and free mass wedding. But recently, the local government has cooked up something ready to be served in the beneficiaries’ dining table. This delectable menu that will surely satisfy everyone’s appetite is called “Geo-Tagging System.”

In Focus: Geo-Tagging System

This system was the brainchild of the Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) headed by Engr. Nelson Chu. It was devised to identify the exact locations of Pantawid family beneficiaries as a precautionary measure when a calamity strikes.

Since families under Pantawid Pamilya are those identified as poor, they are prone to any form of disaster and may get severely affected.

“During the onslaught of typhoons Harurot, Tasing and Reming, Pantawid beneficiaries were severely affected. We don’t want that to happen again that’s why we devised this system,” Engr. Chu said.

In 2010, the MPDO started to develop the system with the use of maps provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB).

These maps contain the flood prone areas, existing built-ups, ground-shaking areas, places with possible rain-induced         landslide, earthquake landslides and areas with flood hazards.

For four grueling years, Engr. Chu and his team went house-to-house in every Pantawid residence to mark the beneficiaries’ exact location using the Global Positioning System or GPS. The data gathered were then compiled and merged in a computer through Google Earth to achieve 3D satellite images of the beneficiaries’ location which resulted to a comprehensive map that features geo-tagging.

Through this, one can easily identify if the tagged Pantawid dwelling lies within a hazard prone area with just a click of the finger. The system can also provide a 3D map of the whole municipality just by merely zooming in and zooming out .The images can also be rotated to see the slope, elevation and coordinates of the location, and to calculate the distance of a certain place from different landmarks like schools, churches and roads.

Empowering Pantawid Beneficiaries

Series of orientations were conducted to teachers, officials and residents as well with the provision of simulation training to personnel who will manipulate the system during disasters.

“We have already introduced the system to the different barangays in order to strengthen their preparedness during disasters,” Engr. Chu shared. “Most of the participants are Pantawid beneficiaries because we want them to compose the Barangay Rescue Team,” he added.

Involving the beneficiaries to take part in disaster operations is a manifestation of empowerment. It is not just because they can augment during tough times,   but most importantly, they can help themselves when Mother Nature will cast her wrath.

Virgin forests, rich soil, industrious people – all of these are what the municipality of Jones can offer. But aside from all these, it is where the national government, local government and the different government agencies meet halfway. With the enthusiasm and commitment, they altogether walk down the road that leads to the disadvantaged and the vulnerable. And they are always on their way, ready to help, ready to serve.  ###By:  Maricel B. Asejo, Information Officer II-Pantawid Pamilya