The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V recently conducted its election related campaign dubbed as “Tuloy ang Pagbabago Campaign” at Regent Hotel, Naga City.

The nationwide advocacy campaign aims to address election related issues and concerns of the beneficiaries at the same time highlight the empowerment they gained through the Program.

A total of 500 beneficiaries from various barangays in Naga City attended the activity together with the partner Civil Society Organizations, media representatives and DSWD Staff.

During the activity, Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano Soliman put emphasis on the rights of the beneficiaries during election.

She added the campaign will deepen the knowledge of our beneficiaries on the program process, electoral process, and capacitate them to speak and stand for their rights not only as partner beneficiaries but as empowered citizen through the active citizenship module which is being discussed during the Family Development Session – a monthly meeting conducted to the beneficiaries to empower and strengthen the relationship and ties among family members and the community.

Also, one of the beneficiaries Marilyn F. Abesa, the national pantawid pamilya exemplary child of Barangay Tabuco, expressed her gratitude to the Department. “Ang DSWD Pantawid po ang aming sagwan para makatawid kami sa kahirapan at maabot namin ang aming Pangarap. Sumabak man kami sa napakaraming alon sa aming buhay ito ay kakayanin namin dahil tinutulungan niyo po  kami,” she said.

Another beneficiary Lourdes Arevalo of Zone 5 Clupa, Calauag said the program gave her hope and determination to continue sends her children to school. “Salamat po sa Programa dahril nagbigay po ito sa amin ng pag-asa na makatapos ang aming mga anak,” she added.

Also included in the activity is the launching of ceremonial symbolic tree where beneficiaries stated their gains, experiences to the Program.**G.Lindio, IO-Pantawid