“Ang tabang gihatag sa DSWD labi pa sa pinansyal. Gi pahibaw mi sa proseso, sa tuy-unun arun makaparticipar mi sa mga programa ug uban pang proyekto.” (More than the money, DSWD has given us the opportunity to know and understand the purpose of these programs and the chance to participate in the implementation of these programs and services.) shared Modissa Ocom of barangay Balatakan, Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte.

Ocom was one of the department’s beneficiaries who shared their experiences with the core programs of DSWD during the CSO-led Project Tour last Wednesday conducted simultaneously in Jose Dalman and Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte, the formerly identified poorest province in the country during the 2009 assessment.

The activity which is dubbed as Voice of the People: Listening to those who matter most, aimed to encourage and empower the beneficiaries to be articulators of change brought about by the implementation and delivery of the core social protective programs and services of DSWD. The activity provided opportunities for over a hundred partner beneficiaries in Zamboanga del Norte to inspire others by sharing their stories of change through the collaboration with and participation of local media outfits.

One of the beneficiaries also expressed her high hopes for the pantawid program to continue. “Daku kaayu’g kausaban ang gihatag sa pantawid. Dili na mi maglisud magpa-iskwela sa mga bata. Hinuun, ipadayun nila ang pantawid para sa mga kabus.” (Pantawid has changed our lives. We no longer worry over our children’s education. We hope that pantawid will continuously help the poor people.) a Pantawid beneficiary related during her testimonial.

Forife Nuñez, a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer who was part of the team who implemented and built a Barangay Health Station in their community narrated how Kalahi has become instrumental in improving the health services and as well as encourage participation among community members identifying solutions to the communal problems.

“Kami jud ang nagpili unsa ka project ang amung kinahanglan. Kining health station amu gyud ni gipangayu. Pasalamat mi sa Kalahi kay karun naa na sya, dili na mi layu maglakaw para magpa-immunize ug magpatambal.” (We were really the ones who chose the project, we really asked for this project. We thank Kalahi because now that we have health station, we no longer have to walk far just to have our kids immunized and treated by nurses.) Nuñez said in her testimony.

Aside from the media partners, some representatives from the national government agencies like Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment were able to engage with some beneficiaries to assess community issues that need a multi-sectoral approach and intervention.

Megajane Ligutom, DOLE provincial staff committed to partner with the DSWD in all its efforts and endeavors in empowering the poor communities and providing them better opportunities in accessing basic social services.

“On behalf of the DOLE family, we were, we are and we will commit to serve those people who need our services and program the most. We are always ready to partner with DSWD in ending the vicious cycle of poverty through whichever manner our department is mandated to intervene.” Ligutom said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Jose Dalman Mayor Rachel Ferrater thanked DSWD for bringing in various programs and projects in their municipality.

“Thank you to the DSWD for giving Jose Dalman these programs. Because of Pantawid, SLP, Kalahi-CIDSS and other programs and services, the people in Jose Dalman are now ready to face bigger opportunities and embrace positive changes in their lives.” Ferrater said in her welcome message.

The 2-day activity aimed to encourage their partner beneficiaries to share their testimonial on how the department has helped them achieve change in their lives, what these changes are, and what their plans are for the future given that they now have changed lives.###