LEGAZPI CITY—Amidst the challenging weather conditions in the Bicol region, the Listahanan field staff of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V are unhampered to start the course for all the target Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries for the second round of special assessment.

The deployment comprised eight Area Supervisors and 40 Enumerators commenced last November 23, 2023.

Armed with determination and compassion, the field workers wearing their vests and carrying their assessment tools are eager to accomplish the task, ensuring no one will be left behind.

A total of 14,463 households are subjected to special assessment in the region. The island province of Masbate tops the list with 4,964 target households; followed by Camarines Sur with 3,973; Albay with 1,802; Camarines Norte with 1,683; Sorsogon with 1,656; and Catanduanes with 385 Pantawid households.

Despite the heavy downpours due to the changing weather, challenging paths to some GIDA areas that are hardly accessible, and the sudden shift from cold to hot weather which posed a risk to the health of the field workers, it did not impede them from getting the mission done.

“I started here in 2015 and I can attest that the task of being a field worker is tedious, especially during inclement weather conditions. There were instances before when we had to face the raging seas and difficult terrain to find the poor households that had to be assessed,” shared Erwin Bigtas, Area Supervisor for Partido Area in Camarines Sur.

“Despite those challenges, it was fulfilling on our part to get appreciated and thanked by the people, especially those that are rarely visited far-flung communities. They were grateful to see us dedicating our time to get to know them with a silver lining that they will get support from the government to alleviate their quality of life”, Bigtas added.

During the training of Enumerators and Area Supervisors, Regional Director Norman S. Laurio stressed that enumeration at this time of the year is critical, however, it must be accomplished, making sure rightful Pantawid beneficiaries will be included in the program.

It was found out that there were Pantawid households that do not match with Listahanan 3, hence, the second round of special assessment of Pantawid beneficiaries was ordered by Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The Honorable Secretary wants every deserving Filipino family to be included in the government program for the poor.

The special assessment of the 14,463 households in the region is expected to be completed by the end of December, 2023. ###