“Ang mga boses ninyo bilang mga benepisyaryo ay napakahalaga sa implementasyon ng programa, dapat yang kilalanin at marinig,” stressed DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan 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 Kimikarlai, Tuguegarao City on July 1-3, 2015 and another 30 PLs from the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya for the second set held at Casa Angela Hotel, also in the same city on July 7-9, 2015.

The three-day training was filled with modules and exercises about Leadership, Building the Core and Effective Communication. These topic equipped 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.

Assistant Regional Director Ponciana P. Condoy, the Pantawid Deputy Program Manager 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.

The PLs were also 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, which is vital in harnessing increased support from the legislators and other stakeholders.

Moreover, there were 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

The PLs strongly negated the allegation that Pantawid Pamilya encourages indolence in one of the mock radio interviews.

Ma. Teresa Tucay, a beneficiary and a PL from Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya said that the program boosted their motivation and determination in achieving a more sustainable well being.

“Tunay na malaking tulong ang cash grant sa pagtustos sa pangangailangan ng aking mga anak. Ngunit upang mas masiguro na naitataguyod namin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan, ako rin ay naghahanap-buhay bilang pandagdag,” Tucay said.

“Dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya, mas lalo akong nagkaroon ng kagustuhan na maiangat ang aming katayuan sa buhay,” she added.

The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to 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 Jesusa Joy Cabasag and Loueilla Oggas, Training Specialists, and Maricel Asejo, the Information Officer of Pantawid Pamilya, respectively.

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 96, 638 household beneficiaries in the region. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II