“Tanging DSWD lang ang may karapatan na magtanggal ng benepisyaryo mula sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at hindi kung sino mang pulitiko.”[Only DSWD has the authority to delist beneficiaries from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program]

This is the battlecry of the “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign which was emphasized during the guesting of the communication officers of Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 in the Tipon-Tipan sa PIA at the Conference Hall of Philippine Information Agency, Regional Office 02, Tuguegarao City. Tipon-Tipan is a weekly media forum which is being aired live in major cable and radio stations in the Cagayan Valley region.

Since the election is nearing, politicians are employing different antics in order to gain voters to the extent that they use some of the programs of the government especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of the government which is implemented by DSWD in the 17 regions nationwide.

“It is important for our beneficiaries that they will be empowered with the knowledge that no politician can remove names from the program, so they should not be threatened whenever there are local chief executives who claim that they can,” said Maricel B. Asejo, the Information Officer for Pantawid Pamilya.

Angely M. Lubo, the Regional Information Officer also added that, “Wala naman pong dapat ipag-alala ang ating mga beneficiaries na sila ay maaring matanggal hangga’t sumusunod sila sa mga kondisyon”. That is why we encourage our beneficiaries to comply with the conditions of the program so that they will not be removed from the program. Hence, the Field Office is exerting all efforts to advocate these messages, of course, with the help of our media partners.”

It was also stressed that since the beginning, the Pantawid Pamilya is already free from any politicking because the beneficiaries were identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which is an another special project of the department.

“Ang ating mga beneficiaries po sa Pantawid ay natukoy sa pamamagitan ng NHTS-PR, na proyekto ng DSWD, kaya maging sa pagtukoy ng beneficiaries, wala pong partisipasyon ang sinumang local chief executive o barangay captain,” said Ailyn Aglaua, Administrative Assistant of NHTS-PR respectively.

As early as December last year, the Field Office already started advocating the campaign through the use of different medium such as tri-media guestings and interviews and press releases.

The “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign is being implemented nationwide to ensure that the programs of the department especially the Pantawid Pamilya will be politics-free and will not be used for the advantage of any politician.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human development program of the national government. It is also a social protection strategy that invests in the health and education of poor children age 0-14 years old. It is widely known as the Philippine conditional cash transfer program. As of January 9, 2013, the program has 3,843,502 household beneficiaries and operates in 1,605 cities and municipalities in 79 provinces in all 17 regions nationwide.

In region 02, the program has a total of 92, 628 households beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan with 30, 467; Isabela with 44, 030; Quirino with 6, 547 and Nueva Vizcaya with 11, 548 household beneficiaries respectively. ### (Social Marketing Unit, DSWD Field Office 02)

Tuguegarao City—To support the thrust of the government to provide sustainable interventions to disadvantaged youth to improve their plight and condition and to empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 headed by Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz launched the Cash-For-Training (C4TP) Program held in Tuguegarao City.

 The Cash-for-Training program is a nationwide joint project of DSWD and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 Qualified beneficiaries of this program are the disadvantaged youth who have been assessed as eligible under the expanded Government Internship Program of the DSWD, must be 18 to 30 years old, out of school youth (OSYs) both elementary and high school graduate, college graduate without employment and they must also come from indigent families.

 The DSWD will give financial assistance of P20, 000 pesos per beneficiary, does the profiling and identifying of youth beneficiaries through its Local Government Unit counterpart while TESDA will be in charge on skills training and development.

The P20, 000 pesos per beneficiary will be allotted for scholarship vouchers, assessment fee, entrepreneurship, allowance, tool kits and training cost.

In her message, Director Violeta A. Cruz encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities given to them so that in return they will help their families to augment their financial needs.

Director Cruz also emphasized that the program empowers the disadvantaged youth through skills training and assistance that will enable them to practice trade and venture into gainful occupation.

This anti-poverty convergence project of DSWD and TESDA will benefit 4,695 youth regionwide with total budget worth P93, 900,000.00. ### By Angely M. Lubo, DSWD Regional Information Officer

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan- Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 joins in the nationwide celebration of the department’s 62nd anniversary with this year’s theme “DSWD @ 62: Sama-samang Husay Tungo sa Tagumpay.”

Field Office II started the celebration with a Fun Run which was joined by Director Violeta A. Cruz and with the employees.

The Fun Run was divided into two categories: 3K for Women and 5K for Men with route along the Regional Government Center, Carig, Tuguegarao City. Prizes were awarded to the top three winners in each category respectively.

The leisure run lasted for almost two hours and was followed by “Hataw” (a morning dance exercise) wherein everyone showcased their dancing prowess to promote fitness and healthy lifestyle.

Meanwhile, several activities are already lined-up for the weeklong celebration such as Showtime, a display of talents among each unit of the department; and the naming of this year’s Loyalty Awardees which recognizes officials and employees who have rendered 10 to 35 years of dedicated service.

In her speech, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that after more than six decades of public service, the department vows to continue its tradition of excellent public service by strengthening partnerships with various sectors to ensure that programs and services that address the needs of the poor and those most deserving of government assistance will be delivered. ###By MARICEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II

No more threats. No more EPAL.

 These are the main thrusts of Bawal Ang Epal Dito Campaign of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be launched from January to May 2013 to protect the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, from undue politicking and interventions that may affect the program’s integrity.

 Bawal Ang Epal Dito confronts the issues of external pressures and eliminates the misconception of the beneficiaries about the control of politicians or parties over Pantawid Pamilya. More importantly, it seeks to empower the beneficiaries to know their rights and to be vigilant of individuals and/or groups who plan to use the program to push for their personal agenda.

 With the upcoming 2013 elections, politicians are out to use the program to gain leverage. Through the Department’s Grievance Redress System, beneficiaries continuously gave feedback that politicians are allegedly claiming to have the authority to enlist and delist them from the program.

 “Walang karapatan ang kahit sino na mag-alis ng pangalan. Ang may karapatan lang ay ang DSWD Regional Office at National Office,” [No one has the right to delist a beneficiary. Only the DSWD Regional and National Office are authorized] DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said. “DSWD lang ang may karapatang tanggalin ang benepisyaryo sa Pantawid kung hindi siya susunod sa mga itinakdang kondisyon,” [Only DSWD has the right to delist a beneficiary if s/he will not comply with the conditionalities] Sec. Soliman emphasized.

 The campaign aims to empower the public, especially the beneficiaries, by increasing their knowledge about the program mechanics and the selection and removal of households. Bawal Ang Epal Dito campaign aims to protect the households from baseless threats of removal from the program if they will not support political entities in the upcoming elections.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government. It is also a social protection strategy that invests in the health and education of poor children age 0-14 years old. It is widely known as the Philippine conditional cash transfer program. As of January 9, 2013, the program has 3,843,502 household beneficiaries and operates in 1,605 cities and municipalities in 79 provinces in all 17 regions nationwide.

 In region 02, the program has a total of 92, 628 households beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan with 30, 467; Isabela with 44, 030; Quirino with 6, 547 and Nueva Vizcaya with 11, 548 household beneficiaries respectively. ### (Social Marketing Unit)

—Witnessed by Assistant Secretary Javier R. Jimenez, Director of National Government Agencies (NGAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Provincial/Municipal/City Social Welfare and Development Officers, media and DSWD staff, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 conducted an installation program and turn-over ceremonies for the new Regional Director of Field Office 02 held at Crown Pavilion, Tuguegarao City last March 22, 2013.

Director Violeta A. Cruz is the former Regional Director of Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA) who will now assume the responsibility of the outgoing Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, who now also leads DSWD Field Office V.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Ponciana P. Condoy presented the accomplishments of the past years, briefed the new director on the Regional Situationer and also presented the directions for the field office for CY 2013.

Director Cruz was overwhelmed and said that it is indeed a big challenge for her as the new director to keep and continue leading the Region moving forward.

“Without a second thought, I will accept the challenge of leading this region. With the change of leadership, I will continue what Director Garcia did and will introduce new strategies to further the goals of the Region in the long run. But of course, I cannot do it alone without the support and full cooperation of the Field Office staff,” Director Cruz said during her acceptance speech.

Director Cruz added that with the support of the local government units, partner agencies and civil society organizations, DSWD Field Office 02 can surpass the challenges along the way that will confront the region.

“With all our converged efforts and unselfish commitment to deliver social services with integrity, I believe that we can do it and excel even higher in the coming years to attain the DSWD’s vision, mission and goals,” Director Cruz added. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD Regional Information Officer

Due to the reports that there are politicians who use Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for their personal advantage in the upcoming May 2013 election, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will launch its nationwide movement dubbed as the “anti-epal” campaign.

The “anti-epal campaign” will use of different mediums to empower beneficiaries of their rights, so that they will not be easily threatened by politicians who claim that they can delist names if they will not vote for them.

The campaign will also intensify the knowledge of the beneficiaries that only the DSWD National and Regional Office have the right to delist beneficiaries especially if they have low compliance with the conditionalities of the programs.

The P10.5 million budget will cover personnel services, maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlay. The fund came from the DSWD’s social marketing service (SMS), a unit that helps in the development of the department’s various programs.

Presently, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which DSWD implements, provides cash grants to more than 3 million poor beneficiaries. Enrolled families get a monthly cash grant of P500 to cover healthcare costs while each child below 14 gets P300 for education.

The “anti-epal campaign” is part of the advocacy of the DSWD to ensure that the beneficiaries know they are in the program because they are qualified beneficiaries as identified by the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

Consequently, any DSWD staff is apprehended from being involved in any activity of a political group or figure. Anyone who will be complained will be immediately suspended even before the investigation starts. ### Social Marketing Unit, DSWD Field Office 02

Considering the numerous task a Municipal Link is expected to accomplish, it may in a way be difficult to find time to think and reflect on the activities he/she had done at the end of the day. Most often than enough, he/she would face and focus on another task after finishing one.

However, this time, I reflected much and would like to share this experience I had during one of my home visit in the area. This experience might only be simple for some, but may also be a “wow” to others. But for me, it is definitely a “wow”!

I am a nurse by profession. During my college years, I am also well exposed to community duty so I am not new to the home visit and spot check activity. However, what make this experience one of a kind for me is because it is one of the most extreme of its kind. I cannot imagine myself walking and climbing up mountains, hiking for almost four hours in a “tree-less” mountain, under the burning heat of the sun. I termed this travel: “Way to heaven”. Why do I say so? Because as if I have reached the sky since the place is the highest peak in the barangay and one of the highest peak in the municipality. It is Sitio Pamungyen.

I have never gotten into this kind of place- only through my readings. The average hiking hours is 3 and ½ and due to the steep slope, there is no available means of transportation by land. I have found out that there are 45 households living in the place – majority is full blooded Ifugao- lives in the place. However, there were only 18 households registered in the Pantawid Program. The Sitio is located in Barangay Campamento, Diffun, Quirino.

I have observed the living condition, economic situation and health practices of the people. All of them get their supply of drinking water in the spring which they call “ubbug’. They also do “nganga” and an open pit serves as their toilet facility. They have rich supply of grains, root crops, vegetables and citrus fruits.

I felt the difficulty of people living in the place. The health facilities are very far from them and for them to avail services such as vaccine and check up; they still need to go down in the mainland. The only school in the area provides education only from day care to Grade 4. This means that children would be required to stay in a boarding house in the mainland should they want to continue their studies. There is absence of electricity in the area. I cannot imagine myself living in such place. I even thought of going back since as if the way going to the place is endless. However, the feeling of tiredness was erased when I saw and felt the happy faces and words of gratitude of the people. They were very grateful and appreciative because the government remembers them, finds time, and gives effort to visit them.

As a social case worker, I felt how lucky I am and yet too materialistic and sometimes even unsatisfied of my life. I believe this may also be applicable to others, especially those who live in the urbanized areas? Hence, with this observed situation, I would like to give them priority when they attend meetings, check up or pay out since they still have go down from the mountain at dawn and should be back before dusk since it is dangerous.

Moreover, this experience helped me to appreciate more my role as a municipal link and a case manager. What I have learned from this encounter made an impact for me to perform better in the field. I may not be able to determine how far will I go with regards the work and position I have now, but definitely, I will be, at my very best, to be an advocate for the unheard voices.

By ARVIN LONGCOP, Municipal Link, Diffun, Quirino

We are all aware that health is the most essential item that a human must always consider. To improve and to maintain the quality of health among families is one of the major entreaties. Immunizations or vaccines, medications these are just one of the point those are accessible in a health facilities. Nowadays, these are essential and appropriate to ensure the health of each member of the family. Nonetheless, there are some individual who does not appreciate the magnitude of these advanced sciences.

I love my daughter so much. She is my only child and I will do everything for her to be safe and healthy, away from harm and from pain. I am Nilda, a mother of only one child and I admit that I am not equipped with enough knowledge with regards to parenting, I only learn from other mothers – to what they say and to what they believe. They said that immunizations or vaccines for my child would provide ailment or would make my child sick. That is why, I am so afraid to bring my child to our health center.

Manang Nilda was so anxious with regards to the side effects of the immunizations or vaccines for her child that she even won’t eavesdrop to the advice of their health care providers: Nurse and Midwife.

I never visited our health care center, I just stayed at our house taking good care of my child; playing, tickling, feeding her, and talking to her are what I always do, Manang Nilda added.

Suddenly, the program of Department of Social Welfare and Development came: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) with its stipulations or conditions that they as beneficiaries must conform.

We are poor, I am a plain house wife, my husband’s earnings was not enough for my family especially for my child, she said. At first she was thinking that she doesn’t have other alternatives but to abide by the stipulations of the program in order to have assistance from the said agency.

Ever since, I always bring my child to our health center for her immunizations or vaccinations.

There was a time when she got sick thinking that it was because of the side effect of the immunizations that would lead to complications just like the other mothers told to me before. I was terrified for the health condition of my child however, the health care provider educate me that it is only a NORMAL SIDE EFFECT of the immunization given to my child. They assisted me with regards to the things that I must perform, educated me or augmented my comprehension with regards to the interventions that I must perform.

Now, because of the stipulations of the program, I thought they are compelling or forcing us to track what they want to achieve but at the end of the day I was able to realize that they just want us to learn things that would help us establish and maintain a life that is sufficient for me and my family through autonomy.

By MAC PAUL VERZOLA ALARIAO, Municipal Link, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya