Legazpi City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol has provided the number of poor households in Bicol to National Food Authority (NFA)  Region V last July 11, 2019, which will serve as their reference in the prioritization of beneficiaries of the Focused Rice Distribution Program to be implemented this September.

According to NFA Regional Manager Henry Tristeza, NFA rice will only be available to the consuming public in the accredited rice distribution outlets in the 40 provinces in the country with high poverty incidence as reported by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA). In Bicol, it includes the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

“The DSWD’s Listahanan data will enable us to determine areas or barangays in need of NFA rice distribution outlets,” said Tristeza.

Under Executive Order 867, all national government agencies (NGAs) are mandated to use the Listahanan data for their programs and services to the poor. Likewise, this should be updated every four years.

Other national government agencies such as Philhealth, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), among others, use the Listahanan data for their poverty reduction programs.

Listahanan is an information management system that aims to establish a database of poor households that serve as a basis in prioritizing the poor as beneficiaries of social protection programs.

Meanwhile, DSWD Director Arnel Garcia clarified that the data to be shared by the agency shall be solely used for purposes of social protection activities which comprise programs and activities that seek to reduce poverty.

In 2015, the DSWD has identified 372,451 poor households out of the 1,082,582 households assessed in the region.

To date, there are two (2) NGAs, four (4) P/LGUs, and two (2) academic institutions that accessed and utilized DSWD’s Listahanan 2 data.

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(Left to Right): USEC Glen Paje, ASEC Joy Segui, Churchill V. Lacang, President Rizal Vegetable Growers Association, Mary Jean Noleal, President-San Roque Handicraft Association, Violeta Lorilla, Treasurer- San Roque Handicraft Association, Editha T. Manlangit, Employment Facilitation grantee, USEC Mark Allan Jay G. Yambao, Earl Maximillan A. Cecilio, Regional Program Coordinator for Operations, ASEC Rhea Peñaflor, Dir. Restituto B. Macuto, National Program Manager, and Jose M. Mariñes,Employment Facilitation grantee.

The entry of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V was hailed as the second place winner for the Gawad Usbong for Employment Facilitation (EF)-Sikap category last June 19, 2019 at Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.

Editha T. Manlangit, 36, from Bislig, San Andres, Catanduanes, received the Second Place National Gawad Usbong Award.

Editha used the assistance to complete the documentary requirements needed for a regular position as a Pharmacy Assistant in Citizen Drug and General Merchandise (Main), Concepcion, Virac, Catanduanes. It opens a lot of opportunities, career advancement and trainings that hones her personality to be a better worker. SLP provides an avenue to change her life, from a plain housewife to a pharmacy assistant.

Furthermore, EF-Sikap category is awarded for outstanding SLP beneficiaries on service and clerical support workers through SLP’s Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) modality and Skills training.

EAF is a grant to acquire the employment requirements, such as legal documents, medical exams and licenses, as well as meal, lodging and/or transportation allowance within the first fifteen days of guaranteed employment. Each program participant may receive a maximum of Php 5,000.00.

Before, she was a casual employee who earned Php 250.00 daily but it’s not enough to support her family needs. She dreamt of a better future for her family and decided to apply for a job abroad, but knowing the consequences outside the country she chose to stay in the province and hoping for a greener pasture through a gainful employment opportunity.

Working as pharmacy assistant for almost 6 years, her employer provides opportunities for career growth through trainings. She attended   two trainings in Legazpi City namely: (1) The Responsible Pharmacy Assistant Practical Training and (2) Professionalization of Pharmacy Support Workforce through Outcome-Based Learning. Likewise, she earned NC III and completed the competency requirements in Pharmacy Services through her employer and SLP.

According to her, she is very thankful to the program and she will continuously work harder to pursue her dreams to give a brighter future to her family.

Sulong Bayanihan 2019 is the main celebration of the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s milestones in promoting and facilitating the continuous development and strengthening of efforts to solidify the convergence of families and communities towards identification and building-up of program champions and advocates.

With this year’s theme: “Bayanihan ng Pamilya at Pamayanan,  Kampeon ng PagSibol at Kabuhayan”, the SLP and its community of champions uphold the significance of sustainability in various initiatives for microenterprise development and employment facilitation. Through the unwavering support of SLP’s partners and stakeholders, the essence of PagSibol and the stories of change and growth are rekindled and relived in the minds and hearts of the communities that DSWD serves.

Through parallel or break-out sessions, composed of the SIBOL Kabuhayan panelist, each of the national finalists for each category presented how their livelihood assets have grown through the SLP intervention, organizational development, contribution to local economic development, behavioral change, their business model viability, roadmap for diversification or expansion, and details of their employment success or endeavors.

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Russel Ulysses I. Nieves, Provincial Field Officer DOLE-Catanduanes, sharing his testimony on the partnership with DSWD.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) -Catanduanes was awarded as the Outstanding Regional Partner in the implementation of DSWD-Sustainable Livelihood Program projects last June 19, 2019 at Sequoia Hotel, Quezon City.

The recognition of DSWD’s notable partner “Sibol Kaagapay” are partners who have walked the extra mile in the provision of support and have shared valuable resources in the spirit of partnership and convergence toward microenterprise development and employment facilitation of program participants.

Sulong Bayanihan 2019 is the main celebration of SLP’s milestones in terms of promoting and facilitating the continuous development and strengthening of efforts to solidify the convergence of families and communities towards identification and building-up of program champions and advocates.

“The key to nation’s development and success, is convergence.”, Russel Ulysses I. Nieves said.

The convergence training initiative by the stakeholders was able to complete two batches of trainings on Heavy Equipment Operations (HEOs) with a total of 147 beneficiaries. All of the graduates are now gainfully employed in the construction industry.

Additionally, three Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPA’s) with 108 participants benefited from the engagement of SLP and the partner. Rizal Vegetable Growers Association received farm inputs/ tools for vegetable production. The 25 members of the SLPA are now engaged in vegetable farming and continuously supplying naturally-grown vegetables in the locality. Likewise, two SLP associations namely Dororian Fisherman SPLA in Gigmoto and Bugao Fishermen SLP Association in Bagamanoc received (fiber glass) fishing boats from the partner for sustainable fishing enterprise.

The partnership provides and establish network and linkages for the sustainability of DSWD-SLP projects.

Furthermore, the partnership was able to address five major impacts:

1. Skills Development –provided life training skills to 29 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries;
2. Job Generation – all of the training beneficiaries were employed by members of the construction industry association.

Some were able to work abroad as legitimate/licensed Heavy Equipment Operators.

3. Poverty Alleviation – the income of the families of the beneficiaries were enhanced.
4. Able to support the high demand for HEOs by construction industry that significantly complemented the “Build-Build-Build” flagship program of the present administration.
5. Beneficiaries were provided with licenses (Driver’s License – Restriction Code 2 and NC II) and Social Protection to include SSS,Pag-Ibig and Philhealth.

The continuous partnership provides and establish network and linkages for the sustainability of DSWD-SLP projects.

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Legazpi City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol clarified on Friday that the agency is not issuing certification for inclusion as beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“The Listahanan database has already been shared to CHED thru the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) and its up to them to establish their own verification mechanism based on their eligibility criteria,” DSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia said.

Listahanan is an information management system that aims to establish a database of poor households that serve as a basis in prioritizing the poor as beneficiaries of social protection programs.
“DSWDs mandate is to share Listahanan’s list of poor households who will be prioritized for the implementation of programs and services for the poor thus does not implement any program”, Garcia added.

Meanwhile, the agency clarified that being a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary will not automatically entitle them of TES.
“The basis of Pantawid Pamilya came from the Listahanan 1 conducted in 2009-2010 while for the TES was derived from the Listahanan 2 result from the 2015 household assessment,” Garcia explained.

He said that for TES concerns, the public may directly inquire to the CHED’s office located at CHEDRO Building, EM’s Barrio South,Brgy. 2, Legaspi City or to the school’s TES focal person.
Under the Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, the TES offers qualified students to pursue a college education without paying tuition fees and other school fees.

Under the program, students’ beneficiaries will get an amount of Php 40,00060,000 per year to cover for tuition fees, books, transportation, supplies, room & board, and other school expenses.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be conducting a learning exchange visit for partner government agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on June 19-21, 2019.

The activity aims to provide a wider, deeper understanding and better appreciation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. It also aims to clarify issues about the program and develop recommendations in enhancing the policies of 4Ps in the Region.

According to Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, the activity will also serve as a venue for the beneficiaries to express their thoughts, experiences on how they are able to benefit from the services provided to them, how their living improved through the convergence efforts of the programs and services both internal and external partners.

A total of 50 participants from CSOs and government agencies including DSWD 4Ps staff will attend the said activity.

The learning exchange will be a two-day visit in Ligao City in the barangays of Tuburan, Cabarian, Santa Cruz, Catburawan and Maonon.

Regional Program Coordinator, Priscilla C. Saladaga said the partners will visit rural health stations and secondary schools of the said barangays.

Also, the partners will interview 4Ps beneficiaries, local officials, and government partners who directly provide assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries.

She added that Ligao City was identified due to its notable active performance along the implementation of programs of DSWD and received the highest number of social services last 2018.***GANLindio

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Ave Ibañez explains the community’s plan for the operation and maintenance of their evacuation center project to the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS staff.

“Para sa akin ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) ay isang paru-paro na naguumpisa siya bilang uod pero habang tumatagal ang proseso dito makikita yung ganda niya hanggang sa paglipad niya (For me, DSWD is like a butterfly that started as caterpillar but as the process goes we can see the beauty until it flies).”

This is what Ave Ibañez, 35, a mother of three (3) children of Barangay Balocawe, Dimasalang, Masbate said when comparing DSWD to a butterfly on the beauty of the social welfare programs.

Usually, people misinterpret poverty equals laziness but it’s not the case. This is the lack of opportunities and connections that poor people cannot grasp.

Seeing this as a challenge to resolve, the national government through the DSWD implements the three (3) Promotive Programs namely, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) focusing on the upliftment of the well-being of poor families.

Pantawid Pamilya is a conditional cash transfer program that invests in the health and education of poor households while the Kalahi-CIDSS uses the Community-Driven Development (CDD), an approach that helps communities to achieve improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation.

Moreover, the SLP is capacity building program that provides access to opportunities that increase the productivity of the livelihood assets of poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Many people have benefitted from these programs and one of them is Ave Ibañez.

Ave described Barangay Balocawe as a peaceful community with people helping each other to transcend from the abyss of poverty.

She also recounted that Barangay Balocawe before was not yet reached by the government and its programs and services.

“Noon, mahirap ang Balocawe pero sa ngayon, medyo nakikita ko na may kaunlaran na (Before, Balocawe is poverty-stricken but as of now, I can see developments here),” she explained.

She also furthered that when Pantawid Pamilya entered their community, other programs followed including the non-government organizations (NGOs).

PANTAWID PAMILYA

As of May 30, 2019, there are 195 beneficiaries of the program Pantawid Pamilya in which 163 are females while 32 are males.

According to Ave who is also a parent leader of Pantawid Pamilya, other than the cash grant being received by beneficiaries, the Family Development Session (FDS) implemented by Pantawid Pamilya also molded the beneficiaries into good parents and citizens.

A parent leader of 4Ps serves as a link of the program and beneficiaries and assists in the updating and monitoring fellow recipients.

“Ang tulong hindi lang yung cash grant pati rin yung Family Development Session ng 4Ps kasi mino-mold kaming mga beneficiaries bilang isang magulang, kung paano ka huwamak ng pera at maging involved sa komunidad (Other than the cash grant, the Family Development Session of 4Ps is also a great help because it molds us beneficiaries as parents, budget our finances and how to be more involved in the community),” she said.

“Pinakanapulot ko kung paano i-develop ang sarili ko, tingnan ang future ng aking pamilya (I learned self-development and plan the future of my family),” she continued.

SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD

In line with this, the community has also observed great improvements in the livelihood aspect. The sources of livelihood are coconut production, farming and fishing.

To create more employment opportunities in the barangay, SLP assisted in the implementation of communal piggery cum hog fattening benefitting 38 participants with project cost of Php570,000.00 and Sikap Community Store benefitting 14 participants with a project cost of 210,000.00

“Malaki ang tulong ng SLP katulad ng community store kasi sa halip na itatakbo pa namin sa bayan dito na mismo sa barangay kami nakakabili ng aming mga pangangailangan (SLP helped a lot especially the community store. Instead of buying goods at downtown Dimasalang, our basic needs are already made available in the barangay,” Ave expressed.

Operating a community store and hog fattening also built rapport among the group particularly on using the capital fund.

“Mas nagiging kilala yung mga kahinaan ng bawat isa kaya tulong-tulong. Ano man ang kalakasan ng isa, pupunan niya kung anuman ang kahinaan ng iba (Since people know each other’s weaknesses, they help each other. Whatever abilities the person may have, he or she will supplement the shortcomings of others),” she stated.

KAPIT-BISIG LABAN SA KAHIRAPAN

The community also had trouble in finding a safe place to stay in times of disasters particularly during the typhoon Yolanda.

Ave who serves as community volunteer recounted that the community saw this a top need to resolve so they have decided the construction of evacuation center under DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS.

The construction of the project amounting to Php2,259,490.00 also functions as a day care center, training center and venue during the FDS.

According to Ave, she will never forget what the staff of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS said to her about community volunteerism.

“Sa DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, hindi mo mapapansin ang pagod mo bilang isang volunteer kundi tingnan mo yung ibinigay sayo na training yung kaalaman na hindi na mananakaw sayo kailanman (In DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, you wouldn’t care the weariness as a volunteer but consider the training provided as an opportunity for knowledge won’t be stolen from you),” she stated.

To date, Ave is also part of the operation and maintenance of the community project in which the barangay allocated Php10,000.00 for the sustainability of the evacuation center.

It is not an easy task for Ave as a parent leader, SLP member and community volunteer of the three (3) programs, despite the benefits she is also part of uplifting the lives of her community from poverty.

Ave also thanked the government on creating programs that will benefit the communities.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa pamahalaan kasi tiningnan nila yung kakulangan ng komunidad hindi sila nagdalawang isip na maiangat at maimulat ang tao sa kahirapan. Hindi habambuhay na mahirap (I am gratefully thankful to the government because they saw what the community needs and never doubted on uplifting and awakening people from poverty. Being poor is not for a lifetime),” she added.

Not only DSWD can be a butterfly but also a person’s life. Undergoing metamorphosis is the best process to learn, experience and fulfill our human existence. /ramsertan/

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) participants officially opened their rice retailing business at Bulan, Sorsogon last June 06, 2019.

Present during the launching activity were representatives from Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU), Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and DSWD employees.

“SLP reaches out to the vulnerable sectors of the society primarily focusing on food security through enterprise development.” DSWD Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II said.

The project was under Microenterprise Development-Seed Capital Fund (MD-SCF) of SLP. A total of Php 622, 750.00 was allocated for the two Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) projects in Bulan town.

The Biyayang Bigasan Association and Managa-Naga (MNG) SLP Association with 25 members each ventured into the rice retailing business since their villages Purok Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Zone 2 and Brgy. Managa-Naga Bulan, Sorsogon have big population and rice is one of the basic commodities. The said associations decided to build their own rice business because of the forecasted demand especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) families who are receiving monthly rice subsidy of P600.

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that aims to improve the socioeconomic condition of the participants. It facilitates interventions that expand the livelihood asset based on the participants (human, social, physical, natural, and financial capital) so they may either have gainful employment or successfully manage a microenterprise.

MD Track focuses on starting, expanding or rehabilitating micro-enterprises, activities. This track includes entrepreneurship, technical – vocational and soft skills training.

Moreover, SCF is a capacity-building grant given to eligible SLP participants to finance the initial operations of their enterprise/s. It provides the participants with financial capital to be able to establish and manage their sustainable microenterprise/s, which should provide a stable source of income.

On the other hand, the BLGU/MLGU will secure to assist the participants in securing the registration, other pertinent licenses such as barangay, mayor’s and retailer permit necessary for their microenterprise to officially and legally recognize the operations of the microenterprise. And, through the guidance of the DSWD, SLPAs will also undergo accreditation as beneficiary Civil Society Organization.

As of the 2018 annual accomplishment in partnership with Bicol University, SLP Program served 8,427 households were 6,518 of them assisted through the Micro-Enterprise Development and the 1,909 households assisted through Employment Facilitation Track amounting to 59,313,917.66 pesos.

It can be noted that the monitored impact of the program is relatively positive especially on households earning from their own microenterprises. The same is true for SLP households who are gainfully employed after having been provided intervention under the employment facilitation track. #PRNPOJ061119

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Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol provided additional assistance to the local government units (LGUs) in the Albay province whose farmers have been affected by the dry spell brought by the El Niño.

DSWD Bicol distributed family food packs to the farmers in Pioduran, Guinobatan, Manito, Ligao City and Tabaco City who participated in DSWD’s Food-for-Work Program with a total cost of assistance of PhP1,191,762.40.

It was reported that the province of Albay was placed under the state of calamity last April 12, 2019.

Based on the June 11, 2019 DSWD disaster response report, a total of 16 cities/municipalities are affected in Albay.

On the other hand, DSWD Bicol has coordinated with Provincial Agriculture Offices and Municipal Agriculture Offices. It has also monitored disaster relief operations through its DSWD employees deployed at LGUs.

“We will provide relief augmentation to the other areas with dry spell in Bicol. As of now, we have PhP3 million standby funds and 23,274 family food packs in our regional warehouse,” Dir. Arnel Garcia said.

The local government units (LGUs) need to submit a project proposal and official list of El Niño-affected farmers to avail of the DSWD’s Food-for-Work. The DSWD field workers will facilitate the distribution of the relief goods after the proposed community work has been done by the target beneficiaries.

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