When we were told about how difficult it is to get to Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Tampilisan, Municipality of Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, we did not exactly know what challenge we accepted until it was time to go. Boy, it took us a whole-day trekking on numerous hills, barefoot walking on muddy trails, crossing over rivers, and climbing on rocks to be able to reach the target beneficiaries.

It was September 23^rd of 2020 when we first visited the area of the Subanen Tribe in Sitio Logdeck. It is a community where public facilities and services are barely present due to its geographical location. Acknowledging the needs of the locals, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-Provincial Operations Office (POO) of Zamboanga Sibugay pledged to return to the area and introduce them to other agencies that cater to vulnerable individuals and families.

TABANG LOGDECK 2

During the first visit in the area, the team had identified a few immediate and long-term concerns that need to be addressed. Some of the long-term needs include the source of electricity in the barangay and the construction of school buildings to cater to 3^rd graders and higher.

As of today, the community only caters to grade 1 and 2 pupils. 3^rd and higher graders need to walk 9 kilometers down and uphill and through rivers to attend to school. The POO has already referred this concern to the Department of Education to which the latter responded with a commitment to provide additional grade level and school building in the area.

To help the locals in their immediate concerns, the POO has coordinated with various offices to include the local government unit of Kabasalan, the Department of Agriculture Research Division, Office of the Congresswoman Ann Hofer, Department of Health, Provincial Office of the Health Officer and Governor, Pharmacist and Dental Association, ZAMSURECO 2, Municipal Agricultural Office  (BFAR), 102^nd brigade / 44^TH Infantry Battalion, business sector, and private individuals with the same yearning to help the community.

Together, they conducted a Serbisyo Caravan activity dubbed as “Tabang Logdeck 2” last December 2020 which converges frontline agencies to address the welfare and other concerns of the indigenous tribe.

The tribal leader called the Timuay, Antonio Ocnip, expressed that the Serbisyo Caravan was the first time that the government and private sector have ever visited their community for such assistance and services.

Apparently, it is their first time to receive gifts, food packs, hygiene kits, family kits, groceries, toys, slippers, among others.

GIVE A MAN A FISH AND YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY; TEACH A MAN TO FISH AND YOU FEED HIM A LIFETIME

The Serbisyo Caravan also served as an avenue to introduce the locals to more sustainable ways of living. The Municipal Agriculturist, Ms. Miladel Capitanya, introduced the new programs of the Department of Agriculture such as the Rice Program: focusing on Highland Rice, High Value Development Crops Program, Livestock Developing Program, Organic Program, and the Dis-advantage of using Roundup Weedkiller.

Furthermore, Mr. Justein Sampilo, the Science Aid of Department of Agriculture Research Division taught them how to raise and propagate a plant called Trichanthera, and a weed called Signal Grassto feed their livestock naturally and safely without costing them a penny.

Sampilo also discussed the proper way of planting a new variety of hybrid “adlay”, “pechay”, “eggplant”, and “tomato” for consumption. Mr. William Roldan, an Agriculture Technician of BFAR, gave a lecture on how to propagate hybrid “tilapia”.

With that knowledge, the indigenous people wasted no time and immediately dug in a vacant lot that is owned by the IP community. And at last, the first-ever fishpond in the barangay was established.

One of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries stated that they used to be able to eat fish only when the program releases their cash grants. Now, with their newly created fishpond, they will be able to eat fish anytime they wish.

Taking Care of the ‘ChikiTeeth’

They say that the ‘chikitings’ or the children are our future and so it is our responsibility to take care of them and teach them how to take care of themselves.

Unusual as it may sound, but the indigenous children in Sitio Logdeck have never tried nor seen a toothbrush and a toothpaste. It is a strange activity for them because their parents have never taught them to brush their teeth. This is not a thing to them, and it has been this way since the early generation of their tribe in Barangay Tampilisan.

The children seemed to be so interested and curious about it that they even tasted the toothpaste to see if it is any good.

The Municipal Link demonstrated the proper way to brush teeth; the children enthusiastically observed and tried it on their own.

Other Services

The 44^th Infantry Battalion headed by Staff Sergeant Roldan Librando provided free haircut services to the indigenous people of Logdeck.

Parlor games for children and Supplemental Feeding were also held by the Zamboanga Sibugay POO Team.

Through the help of concerned private individuals, various offices and establishments, the Serbisyo Caravan was able to provide tokens, gifts, seedlings, medicines and vitamins, breads, and many other useful kits to the indigenous people of Sitio Logdeck.

Serbisyo Caravan is an initiative of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that aims to converge stakeholders and service providers to address the immediate needs of a community especially ones that are hardly reached by government agencies. The abovementioned Serbisyo Caravan was held last December 16-18, 2020.

The Department would like to send its gratitude to all agencies, offices, and individuals that extended help and effort to contribute to the well-being of the IP community in Sitio Logdeck, Barangay Tampilisan, Municipality of Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. This proves that no family who needs help is left behind if we work together for a common goal. Truly, Serbisyo Caravan is a service for all.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has announced recently that vaccine for the Novel Corona Virus 2019 will soon be available for Filipinos and the first to receive it are those who belong to the poorest sector particularly the members of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

During his public address, President Duterte reiterated that his administration will ensure that the poorest of the poor will be prioritized along with the security forces once the vaccine arrives, the earliest on April 2021.

“Ang mauna sa bakuna..ay yung mga taong nasa listahan ng gobyerno na tumatanggap ng Pantawid. Ito yung mga mahirap.. (The first to receive the vaccine are those who are in the government’s 4Ps list.. They are the poor ones),” says Pres. Duterte.

The Chief Executive added that the vaccine will be free for poor Filipinos.

However, as much as the government wants all Filipinos to get the vaccine for free, due to limited resources, there will be prioritization in its distribution. And some may have to pay for the vaccine, especially those who can afford to pay for it.

Danny, a 4Ps beneficiary from Zamboanga City who recovered from Covid-19, expressed elation towards this good news.

“Wala may kinsa gusto maka-covid pero kung matakdan ta mga pobre, at least matabangan ta sa gobyerno kung naa nay vaccine (Nobody wants to acquire the virus but in case we get infected, at least the government will be able to help us once the vaccine is in),” Danny said.

The DSWD is yet to receive the policy governing this. The Department will be making the necessary preparations as soon as the guidelines are in place and the vaccine has been cleared for public use by the authorized agencies. 

Meanwhile, DSWD calls on 4Ps beneficiaries to wait for further announcement through its official social media platforms.

4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy of the national government with DSWD as the lead agency. It invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor households for an improved well-being.  It is implemented nationwide with more than 4 million household beneficiaries. ###

True to its mandate to uphold the value of health, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the implementation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) resumes monitoring of compliance to program conditionalities particularly on health component starting this current period (August-September 2020).

With this resumption, the Department urges program beneficiaries to visit health center facilities and coordinate with their barangay health workers.

This is to further ensure that the 4Ps family beneficiaries remain healthy and in good condition amid threats of the Corona-Virus disease and other health threats that may arise such as malnutrition, vaccine-preventable diseases, among others.

Furthermore, DSWD advises beneficiaries to know the details on how to avail health services such as health center visit, home visit, and other health-related activities while following the guidelines set by their city/municipal health office and/or the Department of Health.

It can be recalled that the Department has waived compliance of beneficiaries to the conditionalities of the 4Ps program since the uproar brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was possible through the signing of a resolution on Force Majeure effective last February.

Under Rule No. VIII Section 15 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA 11310 or the 4Ps Act, the Department Secretary may suspend monitoring of compliance of beneficiaries under a ‘force majeure’ circumstance.

Because of this, the beneficiaries became entitled to cash grants even without compliance to program conditionalities such as sending their children to school, pre/post natal check-ups, regular and preventive check-up for children 5 years old and below, de-worming for children aged 14 and below, and attendance to Family Development Sessions (FDS).

The resumption of health compliance monitoring consequently means that the grants intended for health will only be granted to beneficiaries once they comply with health conditionality.

However, monitoring of education compliance and attendance to FDS still remain suspended until further advisory.

Meanwhile, DSWD studies the possibility of utilizing technological advancements as we transition to the new normal without the need for mass-gathering such as the newly-introduced e-FDS.

Though she is from a barrio called “Binuangan”, which literally translates to either fooled or taking something light-heartedly in the English language, Sheila Mae Dagondong, a 30-year old mother of 2 from Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte is very much serious in her advocacy to help her community in this trying times when the world is covered in fear by a pandemic.

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) has literally frozen life as we know it – establishments were closed, passenger vehicles were nowhere in the streets and highways, people stay indoors, the town was a bit of a ghost town, and the economy is at a brink of falling.

As a mother and a future educator, what concerns Sheila most is how it poses a threat to students’ education and development since they are on indefinite holiday break. She understands how important learning and education is as she, herself, also currently struggles to finish her studies for better future.

DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIES

All her life, Sheila has been a devoted follower of God. She serves in the Pentecostal church; she attends daily bible reading activities, youth camps, and other religious activities.

When she married her husband, Jeffrey, she has brought her entire family to serve the Lord as well. Together, they actively participate in church activities as the core foundation of their family relationship.

Their religious commitments and participations have enabled them to be part of their community even as a member of the Pure Bagobo tribe.

Since both of them have not finished their education, they had to strive to provide for their growing family. Jeffrey, as the head of the household, hits the road as a driver in order to bring food on the table.

In 2014, they became part of the country’s conditional cash transfer program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer program for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP).

Sheila claims that being a member of the program opened a lot of doors of opportunities for her and her family. She was able to attend trainings that developed her skills and boosted her confidence such as Parent Leader training, ECCD training, and skills training on cookery among others.

The learning that she has acquired form these trainings have helped her in her own home and in leading the group of 4Ps members in her barangay.

She and her husband have also received a scholarship grant as members of a tribal group who are given priority opportunity by the school where she is enrolled in.

Currently, she is taking up Bachelor of Science in Education major in English.

Now that her husband, her children, and her self all go to school to finish their studies, Sheila thinks that she is much closer to the fulfillment of their individual and family goals.

And while it is difficult to juggle studies, work, and family, Dagondong family is all up to the challenge knowing that the government is on their back.

OUR LABOR IS NOT VAIN IN THE SIGHT OF GOD

Sheila has always believed that to serve the Lord, one must serve His people.

During the Community Quarantine period, she volunteered to be of service in the barangay by assisting in the orderly implementation of SAP, packing and distribution of relief goods in their area, and community cleaning as a safety measure against the virus.

She also volunteered to help monitor those who are in quarantine. Her main task was to keep track of the body temperature and report unusual conditions of the Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs).

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Though she knows how dangerous the task is, not only to her but also to her family, she said that she must do her part in the name of bayanihan to heal from this crisis.

NEVER TOO EARLY TO EDUCATE

As a future educator, Sheila understands the importance of uninterrupted learning especially with children.

With COVID-19 lurking around, the government had ceased classes in all levels since mid-March. It is still uncertain when classes will resume or how classes will be back to normal. Nonetheless, Sheila believes that, with proper caution and safety protocols practiced, children may still continue learning amidst crisis.

Along other Parent Leaders and Pantawid members, they were able to gather a couple of children in their community and teach them moral values, art, and music while classes in their regular schools are suspended.

Sheila thinks that other than educational purposes, this is also one way to unload the stress amongst children brought about by the pandemic.

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And though she is not yet a professional teacher, it is never too early to teach young minds especially in the situation that we are in right now.

Magsasagawa ng isang ‘disinfecting activity’ ang tanggapan ng DSWD Region 9 mula July 16 hanggang July 17 upang masiguradong ligtas ang pagbibigay ng #SerbisyongMayMalasakit sa publiko.

Pansamantalang nakasara muna ang opisina sa loob ng dalawang araw at muling magbabalik ang operasyon nito sa Lunes (July 20).

Gayunpaman, maaari pa rin kayong mapagsilbihan sa pamamagitan ng aming hotline at online platform na nakasaad sa larawan.

Maraming salamat sa inyong pag-unawa.

Hinihikayat ng DSWD ang mga batang miyembro ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps na ilahad ang kanilang mga pananaw at mensahe sa kasalukuyang kinakaharap na suliranin dulot ng banta ng Covid-19.

Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng mga likhang sining na nagpapahayag ng kanilang damdamin o opinyon tungkol sa kanilang karanasan ngayong may pandemiya.

Ang aktibidad na ito ang tinatawag na Likha ng Bata, Para sa Bata.

Ayon sa Regional Program Coordinator ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program sa Region 9 na si Flordeliza A. Atuy, mahalaga na malawak ang kaalaman at partisipasyon ng mga kabataan sapagkat isa sila sa mga sector na bulnerable sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Aniya, layunin ng programa na maihayag ang mga adbokasiya ng mga batang 4Ps sa kaligtasan at kooperasyon ng mga bata sa paghilom mula sa krisis.

“Bukod sa partisipasyon ng mga batanga 4Ps, gusto rin natin na hikayatin ang iba pang mga bata, kahit hindi miyembro ng 4Ps, na manatiling ligtas at sumunod sa mga tagubilin upang maiwasan ang sakit kaya natin ini-involve ang mga kabataan,” ani Atuy.

Maaaring magsumite ng mga obra sa City o Municipal Link kalakip ang iba pang mga mahahalagang impormasyon tulad ng maikling paliwanag sa ginawang sining, impormasyon tungkol sa sarili (pangalan, edad, tirahan, baitang sa paaralan) at sagutin ang mga sumusunod na katanungan.

a. Sino nga ba ako? (Pangalan, mga katangian, hilig, talento, atbp.)

b. Ano ang aking pangarap? (Sarili, para sa pamilya, para sa komunidad)

c. Ano ang aking mensahe para sa kapwa kabataan?

Ang mga mapipiling malikhaing sining ay mapapasama sa ililimbag na publikasyon ng DSWD.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) highly salutes Jefferson Yamson Salazar, a 4Ps beneficiary’s son who recently marched as Cadet First Class in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Masidlawin Class of 2020.

Among the 196 graduates, Salazar ranked 3^rd along with Cadet First Class Gemalyn Sugui (Valedictorian) and Cadet First Class Jade Villanueva (Salutatorian) being in the Top 3.

Jefferson is the fourth child of tricycle driver Jose and snack vendor Marites Salazar who are members of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In an interview, Marites says that her son has always been a good student. Jefferson usually does not bring notebook in class because according to him, he ensures that he understands the lectures and everything he learns is kept in his mind.

Marites recalls that even when they were struggling financially, she has always seen the big potential in Jefferson and was confident that he can achieve his goals despite the hardships in life.

“Hindi hadlang ang kahirapan kaya huwag mawalan ng pag-asa at mag-aral ng mabuti para makamit nila ang pangarap nila at magtagumpay, (Poverty is not a hindrance so don’t lose hope and study hard to achieve your dreams and succeed,)” Marites shares her message to her co-4Ps family beneficiaries.

As a young boy, Jefferson was a consistent honor student of his class. Because of poverty, he has seen his eldest sibling sacrificed her education for a job to help sustain their family. And so he made sure to keep an eye on his goal.

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In college, he took up Bachelor of Science in Physics at Western Mindanao State University then proceeded to pursue his studies in PMA and succeeded.

Despite not being able to attend the graduation rite last May 22 due to COVID-19 protocols, Jefferson’s family was very proud of his achievement.

Marites also expressed how thankful she is for the support that she has received from family, relatives, and the government.

“Naging malaking tulong yung natatanggap namin na cash assistance dahil nagkaroon ako ng karagdagang kapital sa pagtitinda. Ang programa ng gobyerno gaya ng 4Ps ay may layuning tumulong sa mga nangangailangan; nasa tao na kung papaano niya ito gamitin, (The cash assistance has been a great help especially as augmentation to our livelihood. Government programs such as the 4Ps aim to help families in need but it is up to the people to make something out of it,” says Marites.

Salazar family has been a beneficiary of the 4Ps since 2013. Jefferson’s older sister who was a monitored child of 4Ps will soon take her licensure board exam in December. To this date, only their youngest child who is in Grade 9 is monitored by the program. 

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Now, Salazar family celebrates the achievement of each of their family members. 

The eldest daughter, after working for several years to help support the family, is now back in school taking up BS Chemistry in WMSU;

The second child, who was also a scholar of DSWD’s Sulong Dunong, already graduated from a 2-year degree;

The third child supported herself in college by joining a school-funded organization and earning on the side from being a School Assistant;

The 4^th child (Jefferson) will soon join the Philippine Navy;

The 5^th child will soon graduate with a degree in Political Science;

The 6^th child will take her licensure board exam as a Pharmacist in December; and

The youngest one is currently in Grade 9, GT STEM.

Sinimulan nang ipamahagi ang ayudang Emergency Subsidy mula sa Social Amelioration Program (SAP) para sa mga benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program na walang cash card o ATM cards.

Sa buong Rehiyon IX, 7,723 ang mga benepisyaryo na walang ATM na target maabutan ng emergency subsidy. Aabot ang ayudang ito sa halagang PHP 28,188,950.

Bawat isang pamilya ay nakatanggap ng Php 3,650 na halaga ng ayuda. Ito ay dagdag sa kanilang regular na health grant (P750) at rice subsidy (P600) na ibibigay sa mga susunod na araw. Kung susumahin, Php 5,000 ayuda ang kanilang natanggap para sa isang buwan.

Sa datos ng 4Ps kahapon (Mayo 10), tinatayang 6,439 na pamilya na ang nabigyan ng ayuda. 1,281 sa mga ito ay mula sa Zamboanga City, 1,636 naman ang mula sa Zamboanga del Norte, 1,842 ang sa Zamboanga del Sur, at 1,680 naman ay mula sa Zamboanga Sibugay.

Isusunod naman ngayong araw ang pamamahagi ng ayuda sa bayan ng Isabela, Basilan at magpapatuloy din ang distribusyon para sa mga unclaimed o mga hindi pa nakakuha ng ayuda sa iba pang mga probinsya sa Zamboanga Peninsula.

Dahil walang ATM ang mga benepisyaryo, direktang bumababa ang mga kawani ng DSWD sa bawat barangay upang iabot ang nasabing ayuda.

“Una na nating nabigyan ng ayuda ang mga benepisyaryo na may hawak na ATM noong nakaraang buwan pa dahil mas madali nang ipasok sa kanilang mga ATM yun. Ngayon naman, tayo mismo ang gagawa ng payout pero syempre sisiguraduhin nating maayos ito,” ani ng Regional Program Coordinator ng 4Ps sa Region 9 na si Flordeliza Atuy.

Ayon sa programa, naging maayos ang pagsasagawa ng payout o distribusyon ng ayuda dahil sa pagsunod sa mga panuntunan upang makaiwas sa pagkalat ng virus.

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