DSWD FO 02 Policy and Plans Division Chief, Pasencia T. Ancheta (left, standing with microphone) led the team that conducted the orientation

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has envisioned in its Performance Governance System to be the world’s standard on the delivery of coordinated social services and social protection for poverty reduction by 2030. Hence, the DSWD FO 02 recently conducted orientation on the Standards for  the Functionality of Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs)   in Santiago City, Isabela and Solano, Nueva Vizcaya to carry out this vision.

This orientation was pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 16, Series of 2014 which sets the indicators to measure the level of the functionality of the LSWDOs. It took effect on July 8, 2014.

In her message to DSWD FO 02 staff, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ponciana P. Condoy said,  “the achievement of   the 2030 vision  lies in having a fully functional LSWDOs considering that  the implementation and coordination of local social welfare and development services is lodged at the LGU level through the LSWDOs.”

“We have to work as a team so as to attain that vision by concentrating on our Strategic Goals (SG), particularly SG 3 which focuses on 40 provinces with majority of the municipalities and cities having fully functioning LSWDOs,” she added.

Moreover, DSWD FO 02, headed by Ms. Pasencia T. Ancheta, Policy and Planning Division Chief, gathered officers of Municipal Social Welfare Development Offices and Local Government Units to shed light on the abovementioned Memorandum Circular in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. She likewise announced the schedule of assessment of LSWDOs which is now on-going until October.

A fully functional LSWDO refers to a local social welfare and development office operating with 100% compliance to the “must” standards set covering the four work areas, namely: administration and organization, program management, case management and physical structure, to deliver quality local social welfare and development programs and services to the target beneficiaries at the locality.

The “must” standards set are the mandatory or minimum compliance to set indicators which should be present in the LSWDOs for them to be recognized as fully functional.

For LSWDOs that were not able to comply with all the “must” indicators shall be classified per score attained as either,  Functional  LSWDO or Partially Functional LSWDO. ### By: GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II

Pantawid Pamilya student-beneficiaries of Papaya Elementary School, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya under the Aruga at Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay program of DSWD live on the other side of the mountain and have to endure long trek in going to and from school

Even before the first ray of the sun peeks into the sky, some of the elementary students from the farthest “sitios”  in the sleepy  town of Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya start their journey towards Papaya Elementary  School where their hunger for knowledge is satisfied, their  thirst for  friendship is quenched and  their dreams of a bright future are weaved.

 But with almost two hours of walking down the hilly road before reaching their school, the students’  hunger for knowledge is overturned with hunger for food, their thirst for friendship is substituted with thirst for water and their dreams of a bright future now  seems to be daunting.

The struggle does not end there. The situation is exacerbated by the economic condition of these students. They are  beneficiaries  of the Pantawid  Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Thus, they belong to the poor and vulnerable sector of the society. If you were one of these young students, would you succumb to the difficulty that life brings you, hence, quit school   or will you hold on?

For the student-beneficiaries, the choice seems to be a no-brainer. The former choice offers a scape to the arduous task of going to and from   school with their now calloused feet while the latter choice thrusts them to more years of sacrifices and of foregoing longer playtime and recreational activities.

“ Pagdating nila sa room, natutulog sila kasi napagod sila sa halos 2 oras na pglalakad. Hinahayaan ko na lang silang matulog kasi alam kong pagod sila at gutom. Pagdating ng tanghalian, uuwi na sila kasi wala na silang pagkain kasi kinain na nila sa daan,” Rosalia D. Licdom, Grade 5 and 6 Teacher, described how the student-beneficiaries conduct  themselves  in school. Therefore, absenteeism is a major problem for Mrs. Licdom; ergo, the student-beneficiaries cannot comply with one of the conditionalities of the Pantawid Pamilya program which is the compliance with the 85% attendance in school.

It is in this light that The Aruga at Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay or Foster Care in the Barangay was born.

This project was introduced, among others, to address absenteeism of the student-beneficiaries so that they will stay in the program. It is a relatively new program. It found its way in Brgy. Papaya, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya where the first ever Aruga at Kalinga  project  in the Philippines was established.

The Aruga at Kalinga project is a strategy to promote the implementation of foster care services in a Barangay with a pool of at least 10 foster parents to provide a planned substitute parental care to abandoned, neglected and other children in need of temporary parental care. These children may either come from the centers and institutions or referred/rescued from the community/street.

This project shall be managed by DSWD Field Office within six months transition period and will be replicated by interested Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations or Faith-Based Organization.

The same rationale of the project was applied to the student-beneficiaries. In this project, they will be under the care of Foster Parents who live within the school zone. This way, attendance in school will no longer be the perennial problem of the student-beneficiaries as well as of the teachers. Likewise, the set-up is encouraging for them because their Foster Parents are relatives or nearest kin. Such is the case of Mrs. Licdom who is a Foster Parent to a 7-year old and 12-year old student-beneficiaries and who are her relatives but   live   in one of the farthest “sitio” in Kasibu.

Furthermore, student-beneficiaries who are relatives by consanguinity   are placed in one foster family, hence, they will be at least comfortable with their new home environment. On weekends, they go home to their respective families.

The community in Barangay Papaya also deserves kudos to the realization of this project. The barangay officials established a Committee on Education, headed by a Barangay Kagawad,  that monitors the performance of student-beneficiaries in school as well as their behaviour in the community.

Now, student-beneficiaries enjoy a goodnight sleep. Gone were the nights where their last thoughts were the long trek come morning; gone were the days when their teachers would rouse them from sleep in the classroom; and gone were the days when they have to cut classes in the afternoon and go home because of empty stomachs for they have eaten their lunch while walking to school.

At last, their hunger for knowledge is revived, their thirst for friendship is renewed and their dreams of a bright future intensified!

As a result of this endeavour, an offshoot of the Aruga at Kalinga project was initiated recently by DSWD FO 02  to cover student-beneficiaries who are enrolled in Malabing National High School in Barangay Wangal, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya which is a 3-hour walk from the residence of the students. This is the reason why Barangay Papaya sets a high record of out-of-school youths. Like the student-beneficiaries of Papaya Elementary School, the long walk to school   hinders the drive of the students to persevere in school.

In addition, the money they get from doing farming work and other small-time job in their neighbouring community is not only tempting but is more practical than staying in school. With the compensation they receive, they can afford little luxuries.

Hence, the Field Office deemed it best to extend the program to cater to high school students considering that the age coverage under Pantawid Pamilya program is extended up to 18 years old. It is hoped that more Foster Parents will be willing to be licensed as such and take on the responsibility not because they are driven by monetary rewards but because their desire to help far outweighs the glitter of money.

The noble objective of DSWD to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty through education   and by fostering change in the behaviour among parents through this project, together  with other programs of the  department, is a remarkable feat in the field of public service, a best practice worth emulating by LGUs, NGOs and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

DSWD Field Office 02 continuously   advocates for the licensing of more Foster Parents who are interested in providing substitute parental care not only to Pantawid Pamilya student- beneficiaries but also to abandoned and neglected children. The Department recognizes that foster family care is an alternative arrangement best suited for young children in need of temporary care outside their own homes. ### By: GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II

IN PHOTO: (Top)Around 5, 000 Pantawid beneficiaries and partners flocked for the festivity. (Below) The Gadingan Family, this year’s Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, led the oath of commitment.

All roads led to People’s Gymnasium, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan as around 5, 000 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and partners from the different sectors gathered for the Pantawid Pamilya National Family Day and Convergence Caravan on September 28, 2014.

Pantawid beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva together with the different partners from the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Academe and the Media flocked for this festivity which highlighted on the positive changes that happen in the lives of family beneficiaries of DSWD’s programs and services, especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

In her message, DSWD Regional Director Remia T. Tapispisan emphasized on the dedicated commitment of the department in uplifting the lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged Filipino families. She also encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace their positive transformation for their own welfare especially their children.

This year’s winner for the regional search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya was also awarded during the event. The family of Ynes Gadingan, a Pantawid beneficiary from the municipality of Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya was hailed as the model Pantawid family beneficiary. They received a certificate of recognition and cash prize worth P7, 000. 00

The highlight of the 3-hour activity was the sharing of testimonies regarding the impacts of Pantawid Pamilya.

“Simula ng naging benepisyaryo ako ng Pantawid Pamilya, marami ng nabago sa aking buhay,” Aling Josibel Sibal, a Pantawid beneficiary from Tuguegarao City, Cagayan started. “Sa aming pagtanggap ng cash grant, nagkaroon kami ng katuwang para matustusan ang pag-aaral ng aking mga anak at masiguro na sila ay malusog,” she continued.

But greater than the program’s help in financial aspect, the Pantawid Pamilya has contributed more to the development of her knowledge and character. “Nung ako ay naging isang Parent Leader, lahat ng aking kaalaman at kakayahan bilang isang indibidwal ay ginamit ko.  Dahil sa kakayahang ito, natutulungan ko ang kapwa ko benepisyaryo na matutong tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa at magkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili,” she shared.

The Pantawid Pamilya is the Philippine’s version of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT). It is a human development program of the national government being implemented by DSWD that invests in the health and education of children aged 0-18. It utilizes the CCT scheme where the beneficiaries receive cash grant provided that they send their children to school, get preventive health check-up, and the parents attend the monthly Family Development Session (FDS).

As of now, there are a total of  97, 126 households beneficiaries of the program in the region.### By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II-Pantawid Pamilya

Receiving the budget from DSWD FO 02 ARD for Operations Ponciana P. Condoy (fourth from left) is Mayor Benedict Calderon of Roxas, Isabela (2nd from right). Witnessing the release of fund were Technical Staff of DSWD FO 02 and other officials of LGU, Roxas, Isabela.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 released P6.147M to Roxas, Isabela recently at DSWD Field Office 02, Regional Government Center, Carig, Tuguegarao City for the implementation of the Municipality’s various social protection programs.

The said amount was turned over   by DSWD FO 02 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ponciana P. Condoy   to   Mayor Benedict Calderon together with other officials of the Local Government Unit of Roxas, Isabela.

The Municipality will utilize the said amount for programs relating to comprehensive intervention against gender violence (women welfare), community health team mobilization/family welfare program and establishment of halfway home or lingap center. Likewise, it will be of great help for the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) project and sheltered workshop for older persons and persons with disabilities.

The amount released was   part of the total budget in the amount of P9,664,000.00 allocated for Roxas, Isabela for its social protection programs under Grassroots Participatory Budgeting projects.

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) is an approach to preparing the budget proposal of agencies, taking into consideration the development needs of cities/municipalities as identified in their respective local poverty reduction action plans that shall be formulated with strong participation of basic sector organizations and other civil society organizations. ### By:  GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II

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

San Mariano, ISABELA– Fifty beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in this municipality will participate in the Beads Making Training from September 8 to September 12, 2014 which will be conducted in the Community Center of Brgy. Filomena.

The beneficiaries will come from the different barangays of Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Sta. Filomena and Palutan respectively.
The five-day training is geared on equipping the beneficiaries with skills on how to make different products out of beads which can be a source of income.

“Excited po ako na lumahok dun sa training kasi pwede ko po yun pagkakitaan,” Roselyn Galinggana, a Pantawid beneficiary said.
The provision of skills training especially to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya is one of the interventions contained in the Municipal Transition Plan or MTP of San Mariano.

“Trainings like this one provides our beneficiaries with many opportunities so that they can have additional source of livelihood, thus, is vital in the improving of their levels of well-being,” Ms. Divine Lingan, Municipal Link of San Mariano shared.

“We are happy that the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and the Local Government Unit of San Mariano support us in all of our undertakings, especially when it is for the welfare of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries,” Lingan added.

Meanwhile, the beads making training will be spearheaded by Ms. Rose Narag from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office II.

Prior to this, series of skills trainings were already held for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries like Noodle Making, Soap Making and Polvoron Making. Another set of skills training are also scheduled next month.

The municipality of San Mariano belongs to the three pilot areas of the program in the region, under Set 1. To date, the municipality has 3, 413 household beneficiaries. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Information Officer II – Pantawid Pamilya

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 kicks off  celebration of  the 114^th Philippine Civil Service (PCS)  Anniversary on September 1, 2014 with a Flag Raising Rites synchronized with other National Government Agencies located at the Regional Government Center (RGC) .

In consonance with the directives of the Civil Service Commission, DSWD FO 02 conducted a short program during the Flag Raising Rites which included, among others, the release of one big balloon.

For this year’s anniversary theme, “Tapat Na Serbisyo Alay Ko, Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako,” PCS will have a month-long activities for which public servants are encouraged to join.

One of its major activities is the R.A.C.E. to Serve Fun Run IV which will be held on September 5, 2014 at five o’clock in the morning at RGC, Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.  Interested participants may join the 3K and 5K run which are open to both male and female public servants as well as those in the private sector. A registration fee of P150.00 shall be collected from each participant  and the proceeds will be placed in the Pondong Pamana ng Lingkod Bayan (PPLB) for the benefit of the families of civil servants who died in line of duty. Prizes shall also be given to lucky qualifiers during the said Fun Run.###By: Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II

Pantawid beneficiaries in Brgy. Patagueleg, Penablanca, Cagayan beam with pride as Sec. Soliman salutes their output during Family Development Sessions (FDS).

A remarkable record of accomplishment for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipinong Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 greets Sec. Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman in her recent visit to Cagayan Valley.

Sec. Soliman was elated with the report  that  the economic status of more than  sixty percent (60%) of the 1, 308 Pantawid beneficiaries in Patagueleg, Penablanca rose from survival to subsistence level, a marked triumph for DSWD FO 02 which she proudly shared with the media practitioners in the region during the Media Hour.

Likewise, this visit of the Secretary in Penablanca was highlighted by the Family Development Session of the beneficiaries on the topic, “Pag-iwas sa Bisyo at iba pang Banta sa Pamilya.” She   was surprised with, and at the same time commends the beneficiaries, on their self-imposed restrictions  against gambling, smoking, drug abuse, use of marijuana and other vices prevalent in their community which they think pose a threat to the sanctity of their families.

“I am surprised with your self-imposed restrictions against vices. We at DSWD did not require you to do so but you made this commitment on your own volition. Perhaps, members of Congress especially those opposed to this program should learn from you. They should be mindful of their own vices before they throw unverified accusations against you and the program,” Sec. Soliman said.

This sentiment of the Secretary is rooted from the negative feedback on Pantawid program especially from members of Congress who are opposed to this program since its inception  asserting, among others, that the cash grants are used for gambling and other vices and not for its intended use. These assertions, however, do not hold true for the beneficiaries of Pantawid in Patagueleg, Penablanca.

Moreover, Sec. Soliman noted the story of  Melody Catubag, a Pantawid beneficiary who is now employed   at the Department of Public Works and High Ways (DPWH)  as road maintenance worker receiving P405.00 a day which is above the minimum wage.  Aling Melody shared that her family’s condition has greatly improved through Pantawid’s intervention particularly with her present employment at DPWH  and  no longer  worry about her children’s education and health maintenance.

Aside from the abovementioned increase in the percentage of subsistence level of beneficiaries,  Brgy. Patagueleg boasts notable accomplishments. For one, it is a record holder for Regional Barangay Peace and Order Council Award and has been a nominee in the national level of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.

Patagueleg has a good percentage of compliance rate  in the attendance to FDS. The beneficiaries in this barangay actively participate in different community activities such as Blood Drive that made the barangay a recipient of Sandugo National Award.

In addition, beneficiaries are involved in tree planting and established a communal garden in Patagueleg Elementary School where they grow cocoa. They also put up “4Ps Malunggay Boulevard ” along the highway going to Penablanca which is still being maintained by the beneficiaries.

Sec. Soliman was welcomed by Penablanca Vice Mayor Washington Taguinod, other local officials from the Municipal Council and Barangay Officials. ### By GELA FLOR R. PEREZ, Regional Information Officer II