The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX has once again opened its doors for the annual Regional Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya and Exemplary Child.

Now on its 3rd year, the Regional Program Management Office of Pantawid Pamilya through the Social Marketing Unit significantly recognizes the achievement and contribution of beneficiaries in the region who are role models in their manifestation of change.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development is a human development program of the Philippine government that invests in the health and education of poor households particularly of children 0-18 years old. It is a developmental program that uses conditional cash transfers to poor households based on their compliance with verifiable conditions that have been identified and agreed upon by the beneficiaries.

The family as the primary beneficiaries of the program plays a vital role in its success. The children on the other hand, are actors towards emphasizing the importance of their role in the Filipino Family, Community and Nation-Building. In order to document the impact of the Family Development Sessions and the benefits of the program specifically in the strengthening of family relations and children empowerment as young advocates of the program, The Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya and Exemplary Children are being conducted. It aims to encourage the partner-beneficiaries to maintain a good standing in the community serving as an inspiration and encourage other families and children to exercise positive values and productivity

The said search went through layers of selection process in the provinces of Zamboanga City-Isabela Cluster, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga Del Sur and Zamboanga Del Norte through the conduct of Municipal, Cluster and Provincial Searches. The winners will be officially endorsed and shall be the provincial nominees to vie for the Regional Search competition.

The winning beneficiaries will be honoured during the Regional Search proper on July in Zamboanga City and shall become Zamboanga Peninsula’s entry for the National Level Search.

Last year, the family from Municipality of Aurora, Zamboanga Del Sur who manifested resiliency after raising 5 children and survived the fire that razed their house in ashes emerged as the Regional Winner. On the other hand, a female kid from Tictapul, Zamboanga City who have been very active in community initiatives and activities was recognized and hailed as the Regional winner.

The regional search this year will employ field validation as tool to improve the validation process as reflected in the submitted packaged documentation from the Provincial Operations Offices of Pantawid Pamilya.

The said search is in line with the nation’s celebration of National Family week every September and National Children’s Month in November.

The winning beneficiaries shall become program ambassadors and will be part in all advocacy efforts of the Department. ##