The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducted a two-day Parent Leaders Training on Leadership, Advocacy and Lobbying at Ninongs Hotel, Legazpi City last March 31 to April 1.
Said activity aims to provide the participants with knowledge on Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Bill, share and reflect on their experiences and gains of Pantawid Pamilya and to be able to understand and appreciate the roles of parent volunteer leaders in institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilya.
A total of 30 parent leaders from various provinces together with 25 pantawid pamilya staff participated the said activity.
During the activity lectures and workshop are conducted. Some of the topics are; CCT legislative agenda, reflections and insights discussed by Pastor Melchor C. Buenaflor, regional coordinator of IHelp; describing our dream of an institutionalized CCT Bill; leadership and institutionalization, advocacy and lobbying work and formulation of action plans.
Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, during his message emphasized the rights of the beneficiaries to participate in electoral processes especially in the coming election. He also stated that through the active citizenship module being discussed during family development sessions–monthly activity being conducted to beneficiaries to improve, develop and inculcate family values, the beneficiaries are empowered and capacitated.
One of the participants, Angelina C. Ramos of Barangay Poblacion 2, Mobo, Masbate shared how her life improved through the program. “Sa totoo lang po, yung cash grant na narereceive namin, sa iba ay kaunti lang ito pero sa amin na mahihirap ay malaking tulong na po ito sa pagpa-aral ng mga anak namin. Kaya po kami po ay isusulong namin na sana ay tuloy ang program dahil kami po ang patunay na may nagbago sa aming buhay, [Truly, the cash grant we received, to others it is only less but to us who are poor, it is a huge help to send our children in school. That is why we will advocate to continue the program because we are a living testimony that there are improvements in our lives,” she ended.