Sto. Domingo, Albay- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office V through the National Household Targeting Section conducted a two-day training and orientation for the field workers to be deployed for the second round of special assessment of 4Ps beneficiaries in the Bicol region at Sarung Banggi Resort in Sto Domingo, Albay.

DSWD Regional Director, Norman S. Laurio graced the activity of 40 participants from the six provinces of Bicol on November 21, 2023. The activity which was conducted was intended for Area Supervisors, Enumerators, and Administrative Assistant II who will take part in the whole special assessment process.

The activity aims to equip the field staff with the required skills and knowledge before their deployment. In his message to the participants of the training, Director Laurio emphasized the role of field personnel in the data collection which is crucial for the Special Assessment which aims to ensure that all 4Ps beneficiaries must be included in the Listahanan database as well as government funds allocated for the poor will be used accordingly, and that all rightful beneficiaries will receive due assistance from various social protection programs and services.

The good Director pointed out that Enumeration at this time of the year will not be that easy given the fact that some of the targets for special assessment are from GIDA areas and with the incessant heavy rains, paths to these communities are hardly accessible due to muddy and slippery roads. But the task ahead is critical, thus enumerators/fieldworkers are challenged not just by the terrain but by the challenge that none of these households for assessment shall be left unassessed to ensure that if indeed they are poor by the results of this round of assessment, then they be included among the beneficiaries to rightfully be included under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Inclusion in the Pantawid Program by the data generated from this special assessment shall indeed make a difference in the lives of these poor families.