Partner-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program expressed elation on the gains and impacts of the program during the DSWD Dialogue with Parent Leaders held on April 18-21, 2016 region-wide.
The said gathering served as an opportunity to share the social, economic and personal improvements realized and felt by the beneficiaries after being part of the government’s strategy and efforts in Poverty Alleviation.
DSWD being the frontline agency in delivering basic social services to the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged has implemented several Core Programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, KC-NCDDP and Sustainable Livelihood Program. These programs sought to strategically converge to effectively penetrate and address problems pertaining to poverty.
Beneficiaries shared the participants in the plenary session some of the highlights in their workshop outputs which gathered identified significant past challenging situations and essential transformation which they have observed as a result of the implementation DSWD poverty reduction programs.
The participants also expressed concerns on sustaining the program which reiterated a collective effort in pushing for Institutionalization of the CCT bill.
Meanwhile, DSWD Field Office IX Regional Director, Atty.Araceli F.Solamillo motivated the participants of the said dialogue to begin manifesting their empowerment by voicing out their appreciation towards the program, for it will be a rightful opportunity for them to be heard and be acknowledged for the changes they have achieved being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya and other programs of DSWD.
The dialogue with parent leaders is being conducted regularly to have an inclusive voice among the beneficiaries that will help improve and develop mechanisms to address their felt needs and concerns. It will also serve as tool to strengthen the program implementation.
More than 500 parent leaders in the four provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula were gathered and have actively listened to Undersecretary for Promotive Programs, Mr.Camilo Gudmalin who inspired the participants with the significant gains achieved by the program which drove to the success of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program on its 8th year implementation with more than 4.6 Million beneficiaries recorded to date. The talk also presented important improvements that shall take effect immediately such as shift of cash cards to pre-paid cards.
DSWD provides capability building activities to Pantawid Parent Leaders who act as coordinators of the Municipal/City Links among members of the program during the conduct of Monthly Family Development Sessions and other relevant activities in the community.
The series of dialogue were held in Grand Astoria Hotel for Zamboanga City, Roderics Resort for Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Norte Sports Complex in Dipolog City and Chandler Suites in Pagadian City for provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, respectively. ##