Following its 63rd anniversary celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has finally launched the second sequel of its official book on success stories on February 7, 2014 at one of the hotels in Zamboanga City. The Pagbangon (Rise) is the sequel to Paglaom (Hope) which was produced by the Regional Social Marketing Unit in 2012. While Paglaom centered on how the featured subjects find hope to endure and fight the ruthlessness of poverty, Pagbangon on the other hand pivots around how the subjects act on and fight back against life’s adversities through the intervention of DSWD’s programs and services. “This book shares how ordinary people have become the hope of the family, the source of faith of the society and a hero of their own community with the help of the Convergence strategy of DSWD through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Kalahi-CIDSS and Sustainable Livelihood Program.” adds Narrabelle Bue, Regional Information Unit Head.

The unveiling of the life-size Pagbangon Book cover highlighted the event, which was led by DSWD IX Assistant Regional Director for Operations Consejo H. Usman, Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Coordinator Marilyn Fabian and Sustainable Livelihood Program Regional Program Coordinator Elizabeth Saavedra. The Pagbangon book features nine (9) stories depicting the plight of the selected DSWD beneficiaries, how they cope up with shortage, famine and deprivation to basic social service facilities and eventually rise from poverty.

 

 

DSWD Tatsulo beneficiaries featured in the said book were also invited to attend the event and to speak up during the Press Conference which followed after the unveiling ceremony.

Johanna Lerona and family from Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, Rhea Lyka Bacang from Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay and Ma. Lourdes Carumba, a resident of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay expressed how grateful they for being part of the book and for the assistance that they have been receiving from the institution.

“Sa una, dili kaayu ku ka-join sa mga activities sa school kay kinahanglan man magbayad, then wala man gyud extra akung parents para sa pambayad sa mga extra curriculars, para lang gyud sa mga needs. Pero karun kay gitabangan na mi sa Pantawid pamilya, ka-join na jud ko and daku man gyud ang tabang sa pagtaas sa akung grado. So nagpasalamat gud mi sa DSWD.” (Before, I could hardly join extra-curricular activities at school since our money is only enough to suffice our needs. But when Pantawid came and helped us, my grades went high

because of the extra-curricular activities I joined in school. So we really are thankful to DSWD.) shares Lyka, a high school student who is one of the featured pantawid beneficiaries.

While Johanna Lerona expressed how SLP improved her living condition when she was granted a capital seed fund and was able to start off her business in poultry and hog-raising. “SLP ang nagtabang sa aku nga ipahuman ug skwela ang akung anak. Salamat sa TATSULO.” (SLP sustained my eldest son’s education. All my efforts were paid off. Thank you to TATSULO.)

On the other hand, Lourdes, as an active Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer, is also thankful of the things that DSWD has brought to their community. “Kabataan ang among gi-una. Kabaw mi kay importante jud and edukasyon sa mga kabataan. Salamat kaayu sa KC ug DSWD sa tabang na ilang gihatag sa amu.” (We prioritized the youth. We were aware that education is very important to them. Thank you very much to KC and DSWD for the help that they have given us.) Lourdes states.

While serving as an inspiration to the readers, Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo also considers communication materials such as the Pagbangon book as an aid to DSWD Convergence beneficiaries. “We congratulate the people behind the production of the Pagbangon. This book serves as a vehicle to let the public and government entities know the condition of the people who have less and so as to solicit help or intervention from those people who have more, both in resources and power.”

The success of the event was manifested by the presence of the different guests coming from other National Government Agencies such as DA, DOLE, DOST, DPWH, NFA, DTI, NSO, TESDA, PIA, and DILG, guests from the academes like WMSU and Pilar College and also from the media arena such as Zamboanga Today, DXAS and GBPI TV 11.

“We welcome and as well as thank all the stakeholders and partner agencies who came here today to  grace the occasion. May we continue to be partners and strengthen more our network to provide a quality public service.” ARDO Consejo H. Usman states during a TV interview. Usman also proposed a toast of commitment to continuously fight against poverty as the event’s finale.

The said activity also includes launching of the new brand name of National household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, which is now dubbed as Listahanan, a moniker for the DSWD information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. The re-branding effort is to mainly create a brand name which is easier to recall for the stakeholders and general public.

The Regional Social Marketing Unit of DSWD IX composed of Reg’l Information Unit Head Narrabelle Z. Bue, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Reg’l Information Officer Jayson Elias, Social Marketing Officer of Kalahi-CIDSS Lei Madeline Mohammad and Listahanan Information Officer Ivan Eric Salvador also distributed advocacy materials such as mugs, calendars, lanyards, infokits, folders, briefers and notepads as tokens of appreciation to the attendees.###