The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V has its stockpiles ready for the effects of Tropical Storm Ramon.

According to the latest Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin at 5:00 pm today, provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) number 1 while Catanduanes is under TCWS number 2.

Based on the November 13, 2019 Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) report for Bicol, there are 23,143 family food packs (FFPs) available at the DSWD Warehouse located in Bogtong, Legazpi City.

Other food items at the DSWD warehouse are still for repacking which includes the following items: 1,470 sacks of NFA rice, 420 boxes of Argentina beef loaf, 556 boxes of Gold Cup sardines, 1,205 boxes of Youngstown corned beef and 490 boxes of Mas Kape 3-in-1 coffee.

Non-food items are also available such as 79 sets of tents, 8,047 boxes of sleeping kit, five (5) pieces of dignity kit, 1,093 boxes of family kit, 2,827 boxes of hygiene kit, 681 kitchen kits, 49,941 pieces of malong, 82 rolls of laminated sacks and 26,338 pieces of blanket.

The DSWD Field Office V has Php3,000,000.00 stand by funds for disaster operations.

.Moreover, DSWD FO V Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD) is closely monitoring the weather updates and information while the DSWD FO V Quick Response Teams (QRTs) were alerted and advised to be prepared for augmentation support needed from the field and/or 24/7 duty at the DRMD Operation Center.

The Provincial Action Team (PAT) and City/Municipal Action team (C/MAT) members in the six provinces are on standby. The DSWD employees deployed in different cities/municipalities were instructed to coordinate with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) for status reports and updates. /ramsertan/

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Members of Pagao Waterworks and Sanitation Association Incorporated check the pipeline network to ensure the long-term benefits of water system sub-project funded by DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS at Barangay Pagao, Bombon, Camarines Sur.

Empowerment is a power, right, authority to do something but it does not only revolve on self- confidence or the freedom to claim one’s rights.

Every citizen always has a goal to contribute something great for the community but doesn’t have the power to create projects.

With the push from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS), the communities used their goal and resources as a driving force to claim their right on deciding for the local growth.

One of these communities is Pagao Waterworks and Sanitation Association (PAWASA), Incorporated, an operations and maintenance group of Barangay Pagao, Bombon, Camarines Sur formed through the Community-Driven Development (CDD) strategy of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS.

The CDD is an approach that operates on the principles of transparency, participation, accountability and enhanced local capacity by giving control over planning decisions and resources.

The PAWASA oversees the water system sub-project funded by DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to ensure the clean water supply is provided to the barangay and other nearby communities.

SUFFERING FROM WATER SUPPLY

Barangay Pagao proposed the water system sub-project so that community members will not suffer from water shortage and unsafe drinking water.

According to Jose Camalla, 65, community volunteer and president of PAWASA Inc., people used to travel to downtown Bombon just to get water supply and it takes half a day to transport the containers by boat.

“Umaabot sa lima hanggang walong piso ang presyo ng isang container ng tubig. Mahaba ang proses makakuha lang ng tubig (A container of water ranges from Php5.00 to Php8.00 depending on its size. It takes a long process just to get water.),” Camalla explained.

The community project was granted in 2013 with 12 units of Level II tap stands to cater 140 households. After a year, the barangay decided to convert the water system to Level III, a piped distribution network with private connection or household taps.

According to Delia Segovia, 68, a resident of Barangay Pagao, community members have saved money from Php100.00 a day to buy water in downtown Bombon to Php13.00 a day or Php400.00 a month through the water system sub-project.

“Hindi na kami nahihirapan magbitbit ng mga container ng tubig dahil mismong sa bahay namin makakakuha na ng tubig (We won’t suffer anymore from carrying the water containers because the water supply is already available in our homes),” she explained.

FORMATION OF PAWASA

Now on its 6^th year of operation, the PAWASA, Inc. was established on June 13, 2013, aiming to give high-quality water to the members of the community as well as strengthen the cooperation of the community on the duties and responsibilities in ensuring the durability of the sub-project.

According to Camalla, the association collects Php30.00 per cubic liter as a tariff for the maintenance services of the project. Through their collection, they were able to purchase a 115 square-meter land and construct an office for the organization.

They also extended their services to nearby communities like Barangay Carigsa in Magarao, Camarines Sur with 22 households.

“Napapaunlad namin ang operasyon ng proyekto dahil hindi kami nagkakainteres para sa aming pansariling kapakanan (We were able to expand the operations of the project because we are not thinking of personal interest),” he said.

Through the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS,  the government invests in human capital by capacitating community members to take ownership of the community projects they have implemented that will bring long-term benefits.

By giving people access to resources, trainings and participation in decision-making processes to implement community projects is like providing them a chance to prove themselves as agents for sustainable development. /ramsertan/

About DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS

Camarines Sur implemented DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS in 37 municipalities with a total implementation grant of Php1,971,728,065.54 and local counterpart contribution of Php 75,532,942.01 from barangay and municipal local government units (LGUs) to fund community-managed sub-projects.

DSWD had allocated Bombon with Php 24,699,200.00 and local counterpart contribution of Php 1,256,56.75.

Barangay Pagao has three (3) completed community projects from different modalities that benefitted 177 households.

Here’s the list of sub-projects according to fund source:

For more details about DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS, follow this link:

http://ncddp.dswd.gov.ph/site/faqs

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The relief augmentation from DSWD Bicol for the Mindanao quake-hit areas is scheduled to depart this Saturday afternoon and expected to arrive Mindanao two or three days after.

The DSWD Bicol relief augmentation will be turned over to DSWD Region XII in Kidapawan City, Cotabato.

The augmentation includes the following:
1. 20,000 blankets
2. 20,000 pieces of malong
3. 300 tents
4. 200 rolls of laminated sacks (good for 2,000 houses -1 roll at 100 meters good for 10 houses at 10 meters per house)

DSWD Bicol coordinated with the Office of Presidential Adviser for Bicol Affairs (OPABA) through Usec. Marvel Clavecilla to request from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region V for the additional two (2) flatbed trucks together with DSWD Bicol’s winged van to ferry the abovementioned goods.

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Legazpi City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan has deployed its field workers last Friday to kick-off the 3rd household assessment in the Bicol region.

More than 2,000 field workers will be deployed in the entire region to collect data from households starting October until December.
A household is a social unit consisting of a person living alone or a group of persons who sleep in the same housing unit and have common arrangement in the preparation and consumption of food.

“All households in the rural areas will be interviewed and an asessment will also be conducted in urban villages with pockets of poverty where clusters of poor reside,”explained DSWD Director Arnel Garcia.

Director Garcia urged the public to cooperate in the assessment by providing accurate information to the enumerators.
He further acknowledge the support of the local government units (LGUs) and other partners in the successful implementation of the household assessment.

“The result of the assessment will update the agency’s 2015 list of poor households. Further,this will serve as basis of national government agencies and other stakeholders in developing programs and identifying families who are qualified to receive assistance.” Garcia added.

DSWD,DILG partnership in the household assessment

Last October 7, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been forged between DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista and DILG Undersecretary Martin Dino which aims to strengthen collaborative efforts between the two agencies in the household assessment implementation.

In the said MOU, the DILG enjoins all City/Municipal/Barangay Officials to assist in all phases of the assessment.Specifically, the LGUs will designate a Listahanan Focal Person,assist the DSWD in household mapping to facilitate efficient and complete assessment,conduct barangay assemblies to inform the public and orient the residents to make themselves available on the assessment period, prepare the masterlist of the residents for reference and monitoring of Listahanan field personnel. Likewise, the LGUs will provide guides to the Listahanan personnel especially in the far-flung areas, access available facilities e.g use of barangay halls,issue certificate of completion confirming that all households were visited, and creation of the Barangay Verification Team (BVT) and Local Verification Committee (LVC) through a Barangay/Local Ordinance to resolve and evaluate grievances after the initial list of poor are posted in their respective areas.

Based on the 2015 data,1,082,582 households were assessed and 372,451 households were identified as poor in the Bicol region.

These poor households have become beneficiaries of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), a program under national government’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, or the Republic Act 10963, which provides cash assistance to indigent Filipinos amounting to PHP200 per month in 2018; and PHP300 per month in 2019 and 2020. Also, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) which supports poor students in paying tuition fees and miscellaneous fees.

Listahanan is the DSWD’s information management system that identifies who and where the poor are.The data generated makes available to government or private stakeholders as basis in the identification of social protection beneficiaries.###

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS) will train community-based groups and Barangay Development Councils (BDCs) in 59 municipalities of Bicol Region this October until December 2019.

The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Training will strengthen the community-based groups in ensuring the sustainability of community projects. The training with a total fund of Php7,901,750.00 will be implemented in 52 municipalities.

The activity will cater to newly established O&M groups, community-based organizations that were provided training last 2017 and 2018, and O&M groups with complex-type sub-projects.

“The training will help communities look after their sub-projects to achieve long-term benefits,” Director Arnel Garcia explained.

Here’s the list of municipalities that are included in the O&M Training:

The municipalities were identified based on the Sustainability Evaluation Test (SET) results, the capacity of O&M groups and income-generating projects.

On the other hand, the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS will also conduct the Makilahok project with a total cost of Php14,324,150.00 to train BDCs.

The project is part of the continuing technical assistance and capacity-building intervention of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to reinforce Local Government Unit (LGUs) in strengthening community participation in the local development process.

“Last 2018, DSWD Bicol conducted Makilahok in 23 municipalities. For this year, it will be rolled out in 16 municipalities as part of CDD Institutionalization efforts to integrate the CDD tools and mechanisms in the barangay development planning process,” Dir. Garcia said.

The municipalities that will undergo training are the following:

Note: Municipalities with (*) are not covered in O&M Training

Participants are expected to craft and develop barangay CDD implementation plans that highlight the integration of CDD approach at each stage of the development planning process. /ramsertan/

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Persons who used drugs (PWUDs) attends the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) orientation during an aftercare program at (add name of venue/location). (Photo courtesy of LGU Basud, Camarines Norte)

Legazpi City-The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD-SLP), supports initiative of aftercare program for persons who used drugs (PWUDs) through complementary provision of livelihood intervention.

DSWD-SLP together with Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH) and Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) have already conducted series of aftercare services in the provinces of Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, started after the six months of rehabilitation conducted by DOH.

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.

The PWUDs who were referred by Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) have undergone name matching with 2015 Listahanan database of poor households.

Thus, the following are the eligibility criteria to determine if the referrals or walk-in clients can be granted SLP assistance:

1. At least 18 years of age, however, for Micro-Enterprise Development (MD) track, the eligible individual or walk-in client maybe at least 16 years old provided consent from parents or legal guardian shall be submitted to SLP.

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

2. Included in the Listahanan and tagged as poor or assessed as poor through the administration of Household Assessment Form (HAF) or the SLP Means Test tool that used to determine the eligibility of potential SLP participants who were not found in Listahanan database.; and
3. Issued with Certificate of Eligibility (COE) as a proof that the referred individuals or walk-in clients underwent the required processes as specified in the guidelines.

Moreover, eligible individual maybe provided with one (1) kind of assistance through the following:

1. Micro-enterprise Development- Seed Capital Fund (SCF), a maximum of Php15,000.00 per eligible individual representing a household. The SCF is a financial assistance used as a capital to start or continue a micro-enterprise, SCF may be used for the purchase of materials, inputs and other physical assets that are necessary for the operation of micro-enterprise.
2. Employment Facilitation (EF) -Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)- a maximum of Php 5, 000.00 per eligible individual representing a household. The EAF is a financial assistance used for the acquisition of employment documents necessary for the identified employment and to augment expenses within the first fifteen (15) days of employment.

Relative to this, about 101 PWUDs undergone trainings and was provided livelihood intervention under SLP-General Appropriations Act GAA) 2018.

Furthermore, DSWD as one of the lead agencies for Aftercare Program (ACP) aims to help recovering drug dependent persons to become a functional member of the society after completing the phases of treatment and rehabilitation. #PRNPOJ092319This year, the DSWD-SLP continuously strengthen the PWUDs in Bicol by providing them trainings and orientation about various program interventions.

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Legazpi City—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V has commenced with the observance and celebration of the 27th Family Week last September 23, 2019.

As part of the Memorandum from the DSWD Secretary, the DSWD FO V observed two (2) important activities last September 23, 2019 to launch the 27th Family Week Celebration. The DSWD FO V rang the family bells at exactly 12 noon and dismissed work at 3:00 PM to observe the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day” to allow employees to spend mealtime with their families.

The theme of this year’s family week: “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Pamilyang Pilipino.” It envisions better initiatives to strengthen the Filipino Family. The theme follows the Ambisyon Natin 2040 set forth by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) representing the collective long-term vision and aspiration of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country.

“We want to strengthen the relationship among family members to lessen social problems. The DSWD has programs including 4Ps to reinforce our values at home,” DSWD Dir. Arnel Garcia said.

DSWD FO V as the lead agency of the Family Week, will conduct threefold events on September 27, 2019 at A & A Bed and Breakfast Inn, Legazpi City in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU) of Albay. Almost 150 participants from families all over the province of Albay will join in the celebration.

There will be a Parents’ Forum in the morning that includes discussions about Positive Parenting by DSWD and Child Safety at Home by the Department of Health (DOH). Moreover, a Family Fun Day which is scheduled in the afternoon is comprised of games and contests that will give time for the families to bond. A total cash prize of PhP63,890 will be given away to the Family Fun Day winners.

Similarly, the Regional Winners of the 2019 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be recognized in the afternoon. The Palima Family of Nabua, Camarines Sur is the 2019 Regional Huwarang 4Ps who will receive PhP15,000 and plaque of recognition. The Barceta Family of Catanduanes is the first runner-up with PhP10,000 while the Perez Family of Sorsogon is the second runner-up with PhP5,000.

The Huwarang 4Ps families were judged based on the following criteria:
1. 25%-A family that maintains strong family ties and harmonious relationships and upholds Filipino values despite the challenges that poverty causes/brings.
2. 20%-A family that practices and promotes healthy living and taking care of the environment.
3. 20%-A family that is actively involved in community activities.
4. 20%-A family who inspires other members of the community.
5. 15%-A family who strives to improve living condition amidst difficult situation.

The Palima Family will represent Bicol Region in the National 4Ps Family Day this weekend in Manila.

On September 30, 2019, the members of the media in Albay will visit the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) to witness the Family Day for the kids in the said facility. There will also be a forum about Adoption and Foster Care.

As mandated by Executive Order No. 238, the DSWD chairs the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on the Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) with different members from public and private sectors. The committee seeks to strengthen family unity and relationships through meaningful celebration and promotion of Family values. It also aims to implement responsive services and popularize family-centric programs and services at the grassroots level.

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Legazpi City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol is currently conducting simultaneous training to field workers in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes who will undertake the 3rd household assessment in the region this October-December.

“The training serves as the final phase of the screening process. It’s a crucial part because we need to equip the staff with the required skills and competencies to successfully conduct the Listahanan household assessment,” DSWD Director Arnel Garcia said.

Garcia added that training to other provinces will be conducted this month until October.

Around 2,610 new field staff will go through intensive training across all provinces in the region. This includes lectures on procedures and guidelines on how to conduct the household assessment, roles, and responsibilities of each staff, and simulation exercises.

The 3rd household assessment aims to update the list of poor households who will be prioritized by the government and other agencies. Executive order (EO) 867 of 2010 mandates the DSWD to maintain a system which will serve as the repository of the data on poor households and shall be updated every four years.

Likewise, all national government agencies shall use the data generated by DSWD in prioritizing beneficiaries of government’s programs and services.

In 2015, the DSWD Bicol conducted its second assessment where 1,082,582 households were assessed and 372,451 households were identified as poor.

For this assessment, the agency targets 1,143,846 in Bicol out of 16.1 million households nationwide.

Meanwhile, Garcia encourages the public to participate in the upcoming assessment by getting involved in the house-to-house interviews to be conducted.

“The participation of the community is very important, that’s why we wanted them to get involve to ensure that no poor households should be left behind,” Garcia explained.

He also said that being interviewed by the Listahanan will not automatically qualify them to any program of the Department or other agencies. He further said that Listahanan does not offer nor provide program benefits because it is a tool that puts faces to the poor

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. It serves as a reference by different agencies in the implementation of their programs and services for the poor and marginalized sectors. ##

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