National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan is an information management system which identifies who and where the poor are. As mandated by Executive Order 867, the database serves as the basis for government agencies involved in social protection programs and should be updated every four years.

But what we experienced is beyond its characterization assumed.

Listahanan is more than just identifying who and where the poor are. It is more than just providing a database. It is giving a chance for change and a tang of hope.

Expectations

Majority of our team are first timers in Field work. We don’t even have any idea about the place that we were tasked to go. Most of us just hear Quirino from our colleagues. We don’t really know how it looks like or what it is like to be there.

Reaseach didn’t help much. Some people say that we will have to walk for days for us to reach some places. And it feels like the worst threat that we ever heard. Some people say that we should pray hard for good weather because it is a very important factor in the Province. It is another toting to our uneasy cognizance. Some people say that we must plan for the worst. In our hearts though, we are hoping for the best.

We were all nervous because we don’t know what we should really expect. We were like blind soldiers going to a war. Yes, we prepared but to what extent of the Field Work are we prepared? We had experienced Field Workers with us but we cannot just rely to them. We must be able to stand on our own to be able to achieve our goal.

The Journey

We left for Quirino with one mission: Asses the missing Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries that are not found in the database, a clear and objective task that changed our perception of public service forever.

Upon entering the ark that signifies Quirino, is a swift change of all the feels and view–from the earsplitting Metro to a hushed sanctuary. Just like those that are seen in movies, the ark served like a boundary of two diverse worlds. It was entering a world that is only seen in fantasy shows.

The place is very enchanting and fascinating. Everyone said their own version of the word “wow”. Who wouldn’t? Quirino is a paradise. From the clear waters of the river to the flawless green mountains, everything seemed so impeccable. Even agriculture is mesmerizing. The whole thing just appeared so surreal and perfect!

As the fresh and cool air filled our lungs, the idea of working at this place, which we never had an idea before, felt suddenly electrifying. Nobody would say “NO” to a dwelling like we’d seen. Two weeks felt very short that we wished we could stay a little longer.

Life outside the office

Field work doesn’t only mean working outside the office. It is also living outside the office. We also have to live with people that we just met and with their ways

The First municipality that we identified to go is the farthest town of Quirino which is the municipality of Nagtipunan. We didn’t stay in a fancy place but the view made it elegant. The whole domicile is evidently grandeur of mother earth. It is an early Christmas bonus.

On the second week of our stay in Quirino, each member of us in the team was tasked to go to the municipalities of Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Maddela and Saguday. We went separately to be able to finish our goal fast and efficient.

The last stop was the municipality of Diffun. It became more challenging because only the three of us, who are newbies in the Field, was left to complete our mission. But a mission is a mission and it should be accomplished no matter what. Thanks to the beautiful places that we see all over Quirino. It was one of the greatest encouragements that time.

But we weren’t there for sightseeing; we there for a mission.

The Heart of a Field Work

DSWD is inevitably vulnerable to criticisms. The programs and projects are often subject to condemnation and disapproval. But to the people who directly experience the benefits, it is a tint of bliss.

We cannot forget the smile on people’s faces when they hear our departments’ name. We cannot forget how warm their welcome was. We cannot forget how much appreciation they uttered. We cannot forget those tears that fell from their eyes.

With tears, a Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program beneficiary said: “Ma’am, thank you garud ta napan kayu ittuy. Sikayu lang nga taga DSWD ti makapan ittuy gapu gamin ta nagadayu ti ayan mi. Agyaman kami kanya yu ma’am. Nu awan ti programa yu nga 4P’s han nga makaadal ti annak mi. Agyaman kami ma’am. (Ma’am thank you for coming here. Only your staff in DSWD is able to reach this place because it is very far. Thank you ma’am. Without your program 4P’s, our children could not afford to study. Thank you ma’am.)

Those words that we repeatedly heard from the beneficiaries were the best part of the Field work. It made us worthy of our seats in the Regional Field Office. ### By: Margarette B. Galimba, Listahanan Information Officer