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Brain Trust, Inc, a consultancy firm hired to conduct a study on the 4Ps and other social protection programs and their impact on poverty alleviation is at the DSWD Region 9 office for several FGD activities

A consultancy firm, Brain Trust Inc., conducted a 2-day Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with DSWD Field Office 9 Key program focal persons and select NGAs relative to the study entitled “Assessment of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Other Existing Social Protection Programs in the Philippines and their Contribution to Poverty Alleviation.”

It aims to stimulate in-depth conversation about the implementation of social services and poverty-alleviation programs particularly the 4Ps.

The Regional Program Management Office of the 4Ps welcomed and oriented the researchers about the practice of DSWD-9 in terms of its implementation of the 4Ps in the region. This FGD was made possible with the assistance of the Policy Development and Planning Section through the Policy and Research Unit.Other programs under the DSWD were also invited to provide input in the discussion, to wit: the Sustainable Livelihood Program, KALAHI CIDSSS-NCDDP, Social Pension Program, Supplementary Feeding Program, Crisis Intervention Unit, and Disaster Risk Management Division.

Partner-stakeholders such as DOH, DOLE, TESDA, DTI, DepEd, and PhilHealth were also present and shared some invaluable input on the topic.

Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) partners were gathered today for another FGD session. Present at the DSWD conference room were Silsilah Foundation, Inc., Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, Inc. (Zamboanga Liaison Office), Yellow Boat Of Hope Foundation, Inc., Ateneo De Zamboanga University – Center for Community Extension Services, Human Development and Empowerment Services, Inc.

Said consultancy firm coordinates with the Local Government Unit of Zamboanga to invite the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and barangay officials particularly of Barangay Kasanyangan for another data-gathering activity related to the implementation of social protection programs.

This study is being conducted nationwide through the initiative of the DSWD Secretary, Hon. Rex Gatchalian, to better understand and improve the services and interventions of the Department towards the goal of steering the beneficiaries to self-sufficiency.