The DSWD Field Office 5 conducted press conferences in all six (6) provinces of Bicol to share the success stories of its beneficiaries and the latest updates on its programs and services.

The schedules of the press conference per province were as follows:

Albay—May 12
Catanduanes—May 14
Sorsogon—May 19
Masbate—May 21
Camarines Sur—June 4
Camarines Norte—May 27

The highlight of the activity featured testimonials from its partner-beneficiaries. They were also interviewed by the local press on how these programs improved the quality of their lives.

Maricel Tusi of Brgy. Sagrada, Viga, Catanduanes shared her personal experience in front of the press last May 14 who is a Parent Leader and community volunteer of DSWD’s programs, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipiono Program and Kalahi-CIDSS, respectively.

She gained more knowledge on responsible parenting and active citizenship through these programs aimed at improving the quality of life through empowerment of an individual, family and community.

“Nakatulong ang Pantawid [Pamilyang Pilipino Program] hindi lamang sa pinansyal naming pangangailangan kundi nalaman naming ang karapatang pantao at kahalagahan ng edukasyon at kalusugan ng aking pamilya (Pantawid Pamilya responds not only to our financial needs but through the program, we learned about human rights and the importance of education and health of my family),”she said.

As a volunteer, Maricel’s skills were developed being elected through the barangay assembly as the bookkeeper and a member of the project preparation team and procurement team in Kalahi-CIDSS.

“Naipakita ko ang aking kakayahan na makatulong sa pag-asenso ng aming barangay (I demonstrated my ability to help the progress of our village),” she added.

DSWD Dir. Arnel Garcia said that Pantawid Pamilya has 380,550 household beneficiaries in Bicol region while Kalahi-CIDSS will cover a total of 101 poor municipalities in the region under its expansion from 2014 to 2019 with a total of grant of Php4,497,448,178.