The Department of Social Welfare and Development appeals to social media influencers and content creators to be factual and cautious in their posts regarding the Department and its programs and services. This is after several social media contents were observed to contain erroneous information and misconceptions about DSWD programs.

It has been observed that a number of social media personalities use DSWD’s programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps in their contents showing or portraying a supposed beneficiary while acting out scenarios of unvalidated reports of grievances.

Furthermore, the Department also has received several reports of fake news and deception from unofficial Facebook pages that post and circulate misinformation and unvalidated contents.

DSWD has already posted an official statement regarding this fake news on its social media account and official Facebook Page (DSWD Region IX). The national office has also released an article pertaining to the same subject to encourage social media personalities to be more responsible in using their platform.

While talking about social services in an online platform is appreciated, the Department encourages the public particularly the netizens to conduct fact-checks especially on information that may cause confusion. Should there be instances of malpractice, misbehavior, and/or misdemeanor among program beneficiaries and DSWD employees, the public may file an official report through the various grievance mechanisms that the Department has installed. These mechanisms are in place to conduct validation, provide action, and/or enforce necessary and appropriate sanction/s.

Sooner this year, 4Ps will launch a mechanism where grievances will be collected via online platform for reports that float on the internet. ###

Growing up we were told to follow authorities, that they knew what was better for us, to entrust them with our lives, and oftentimes we pay them to do this. As children we had teachers and mentors to follow, learn from, and lean on. Upon growing up and getting jobs there were bosses. Not to mention parents and older relatives that looked over us almost all our lives.

And then there’s our government, we indirectly pay them to lead us with our tax. To use it for our gain and development. And oftentimes we find ourselves disappointed. Feeling left out and ignored. Like a child, when their parents ignore them, they try their best to gain their attention, get in trouble and whatnot. A similar story to Roberto Caracol Gaan, he once trusted the government to take care of him and his family. He was content in tending pigs and lands owned by his wealthier relatives. Believed that the poor will be assisted.

With inflation and the increasing poverty rate, Roberto became one of those affected by this. Having to raise and feed his family he knew his current occupation was not enough. Roberto’s wife, Elizabeth, remained at home to raise their two children. But it proved to be difficult for someone earning a mere Php 150 per day under the heat and pouring rain. To budget and ensure their children ate well, he often used salt and soy sauce as his viand. This way of living angered Roberto. Not because he was poor but because he dreamed of giving his children a better life. With nothing and no one to lean on he joined Alsa Masa.

Alsa Masa has an unsure history of being a vigilante group or death squad that originated in Davao City back in the 80’s. But for Roberto this was a sure decision for him in order to sustain his small family and prevent starvation. But it was not long after that he and some of his comrades surrendered to the government once more. The existence of Executive Order 70, he was classified as former rebels, or what Ka Amihan likes to call friends rescued.

Roberto was identified as eligible to receive a livelihood settlement grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program last December 2020. He used this funding to start his own milling business and eventually ventured in the buy and sell industry of rubber. Unlike before where he worked under the heat of the sun and the pouring rain, he does not have to do that now wherein he does his milling in a shed he built.

Admittedly, not every day seemed like it was easy to get up and start working. It never was. Not when he tended pigs and his relatives’ lands. Not when he joined Alsa Masa and became a rebel. And not even when he was granted and aided by SLP to start his own livelihood. But being his own employer, with perseverance and hard work, and knowing that the government did the right thing by him and his family, he gets up. Everyday. To tend his mill. To earn his keep, feed his family, and even start his own savings.

It is not just Roberto or Elizabeth, or their two children that gained from the livelihood grant. Their community thrived. Knowing that within their area there is someone milling rice for them. Where they would not have to travel some uncemented14-kilometers to the next barangay or sitio to buy rice. Roberto is grateful for the help and aid he has been given, but even more grateful that he is helping his community: selling rice and buying rubber from his neighbors.

Nag papasalamat ako sa ating gobyerno, sa DSWD lalo na sa Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Dahil sa inyo nabago ang aming pamumuhay, nakapag-patayo ako ng maliit na negosyo dahil sa tulong niyo. Unti-unti ko nang natutupad ang aking pangarap maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang pag tulong sa aming mahihirap.

Ka Roberto | Livelihood Settlement Grant Beneficiary

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 60 declaring the last week of September as the National Family Week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the lead agency in ensuring the welfare of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized families, will be holding a FAMILY DAY Celebration activity on September 28, 2021 anchored on the theme “Pamilya at Teknolohiya: Magkabalikat Mapagtagumpayan ang Hamon ng Pandemya.”

The objective of the annual celebration is to highlight the resiliency and camaraderie of Filipino families that amidst trials brought about by poverty and the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, we still stand strong and together.

Several activities were prepared by the national and regional office of the DSWD in line with the Family Week Celebration. However, due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, this year’s celebration will be held virtually.

To begin, the DSWD launched a fun and family-oriented competition dubbed as #HappyFaMEALy Photo Contest where family-participants are enjoined to take a photo while enjoying a meal. Uploading of entries on social media platforms is open from September 27 until September 28, 2021 at 8 AM.

Six (6) winners will be chosen among all entries posted on Facebook. Winners will be receiving Php 3,000 worth of grocery items.

The photo contest is in line with the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, an advocacy that promotes togetherness and giving value for family time.  

“For most of us, our families are our inspiration. They are our reasons why we work hard, why we strive to become better individuals. We, in the DSWD, want to nurture this core value of being family-oriented and we hope that this will inspire our beneficiaries in their day-to-day activities,” DSWD-9 Regional Director Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan said.

Furthermore, on September 28, 2021, the Department will hold a virtual celebration and seminar with family-participants across the region.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 9 through the National Household Targeting Section (NHTS) has officially started the receiving and processing of appeals and grievances pertaining to the initial list of poor households generated from the Listahanan 3 assessment in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi since Monday, August 23.

The agency urges the public to review the accuracy of the initial list of poor by filing grievances if applicable prior to the finalization of the information management system to ensure that the Listahanan 3 database will serve as a reliable reference for social protection stakeholders to employ in the formulation and implementation of their respective programs and services, among others.

Those who were not interviewed during the data-collection phase may appeal to be assessed. Complaints or inquiries on household information and classification (whether poor or non-poor) will be received and evaluated through formal channels beginning with the Area Supervisor (AS), followed by the Barangay Verification Team (BVT), and the Local Verification Committee (LVC).

The AS assigned in the barangay will receive and process all grievances using the Validation Search Application (VSA). Only those grievances from households residing in the barangay (where the actual validation is conducted) shall be accommodated by the assigned field personnel.

The BVT will be composed of the Barangay Chairperson, First Kagawad, Kagawad in charge of social services, one representative of a Civil Society Organization (CSO), and Sub-Project Management Committee Chairperson for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) areas. The team will evaluate the grievances received from the community in coordination with the Listahanan field personnel.

Moreover, the LVC will have the Local Chief Executive (LCE) or his/her representative, City/Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer (C/MSWDO), City/Municipal Planning and Development Officer (C/MPDO), and one representative from two Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as its members. They will resolve all the grievances filed, and will likewise identify and certify households that have not been visited during the assessment phase. The households identified will undergo assessment and re-interview.

Aside from the Community Desk designated in the barangay, households may also opt to file grievances online through https://listahanan.dswd.gov.ph/grievance/. All those received in the Listahanan 3 Validation website shall be synchronized with the VSA and the Grievance Tracking and Monitoring System (GTMS) for processing. 

In addition, for those (households) in rural barangays/puroks/sitios that were not covered during the assessment period, they will not be anymore required to file grievances as they will be automatically included in the list of households for interview.

For appeals concerning re-assessment, the AS will have to inform the complainant that: (a) the conduct of re-assessment shall be decided by the BVT and LVC; (b) the re-interview shall be unannounced; and (c) there will only be one attempt to secure the interview.

Based on the initial list of poor households generated during the third round of the regular assessment (for BST), out of the 77,597 households assessed in Basilan, 56,925 were identified as poor. In Sulu, 115,775 were also classified as poor from the 160,997 households assessed. For Tawi-Tawi, of the 71,006 households interviewed, only 29,558 were found to be poor.  All in all, a total of 309,300 households were covered in the three island provinces of which 202,258 were identified poor and 107,042 were non-poor. For the on-going validation, the NHTS targets to validate 35,289 grievances. ###

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Social Marketing Unit (SMU) of the Field Office 9 emerged victorious during the Malasakit Video Fest organized by DSWD Central Office winning the ‘Malasakit Storymaker of the Year’ award.

The SMU also received a technical award for Best Production and Technical Quality while its video entries were also conferred with special citations including the Best KALAHI Video, Best Disaster Response Video, Best Adoption Video, and Best CRCF Video. The virtual awarding was held during the National Management Development Conference last week.

The ‘Project UNMASK: Sixty Second Stories of Change’ is an original video concept by the Regional Information Officer, Ivan Eric C. Salvador which featured the following stories:

U-LIRAT

A story of a rehabilitated elderly client who is a COVID-19 survivor and once diagnosed with a mental illness. Through the constant interventions of the center, he was able to make himself useful and be one of the most active elders in the facility who contributed not only through socializing among his peers but also in maintaining a comfortable haven in their golden years.

N-IŃA

An inspiring story of a couple who found a new gem from adopting a baby girl in RSCC. After being married for 13 years and having found out how difficult and risky for the mother to bear a child, they warmly welcomed the idea of adoption. Their sweet 3-year old lives in a humble home where good parenting, values, and faith resonate. The presence of their child made them realize and decide to adopt for another baby to provide her child a sister to depend on in life when they grow old.

M-ANGHAHABI

A story of a Sama Bajau weaver who once spent their lives (family) on the streets for a living. Through the efforts of organizing these women weavers, they were able to continue their colorful art of weaving “Banig” through the Social Technology’s financial assistance under the Comprehensive Program for Sama Bajaus. Today, their livelihood has supported their families and their products are the top favorites among local and foreign tourists in the city.

A-LON

A story of a fisherman whose family was directly affected by a storm surge in a small coastal community. The houses on stilts were damaged (partially/totally) after strong winds battered their humble abode. The family benefitted from the DSWD’s provision of family food packs during the relief operations.

S-ILUNGAN

A success story of the 1st KALAHI-CIDDS sub-project in Zamboanga City that was funded under the KKB (Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay) modality. The women and children center is the result of community empowerment and Bayanihan of the local community whose dream was to have a structure that will cater to gender-based violence and child abuse cases. The community envisions this to be a center handling women and children’s affairs in general.

K-USINA

A success story of a former deportee who was hired by the DSWD as a cook of the Processing Center for Displaced Persons. His story and experiences mirror the thousands of deportees he serves through the department‘s provision of hot meals during arrival and during their temporary stay in the center. His commitment is a testament to his return service to his fellow kababayan who were deported from Malaysia due to lost, expired, and non-possession of travel documents such as a passport. 

DSWD IX Regional Director, Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan expressed her appreciation to SMU for producing stories of hope through 60-seconder films. She said, “This is another milestone for us in the Field Office. We commend and congratulate the SMU for coming up with ‘Project UNMASK’ which unfolds the stories of hope and inspiration among the featured clients and beneficiaries.”

“The awards will even inspire us more to give hope to the hopeless, and I wish that more and more stories of change will be told,” she added.

The Malasakit Video Fest aimed to promote the stories and testimonies of the clients and beneficiaries of DSWD, especially during this pandemic, as the department gears towards the performance of its steering functions with the devolution of some of its social welfare services.

A total of 82 video entries were submitted by participating Field Offices. The Field Offices were encouraged to submit a one-minute video for six programs or services where five of those should be in a local dialect and one in Filipino.

The entries were judged as a whole based on Creativity and Originality, Value of Information, Production and Technical Quality, Entertainment Value/Engagement, and People’s Choice. ###

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IX in coordination with the Office of the President and Office of Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go facilitated the payout of financial assistance to 587 fishermen and 318 tricycle drivers who are residents of Brgy. Labuan, Zamboanga City, last Saturday, August 14.

Aside from the cash aid extended through DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), the field office through its Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD) also provided the beneficiaries with Family Food Packs (FFPs) to help them somehow mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the 136th Malasakit Center in Labuan General Hospital was unveiled on the same day. It is a one-stop shop that is designated to receive and process requests for medical and financial assistance for indigent and incapacitated patients through DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Forty two (42) patients and 132 rank and file employees including security guards and utility staff of the said hospital were also given financial assistance from DSWD.

Among those present during the one-stop shop launching were Sen. Bong Go, DSWD Undersecretary Atty. Aimee S. Torrefranca-Neri, DSWD Assistant Secretary Jade T. Jamolod, DSWD IX Regional Director, Atty. Sittie Raifah M. Pamaloy-Hassan, various key officials, partner agencies, and other stakeholders. ###

What once began as the Self Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) back in 1993, as one of the main social programs of the government that aimed to provide enough financial assistance to help kick-start the marginalized and poor households to pursue entrepreneurial activity and savings generation. After years of successful run, it was transformed into the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) back in 2011. Program participants were given the choice to choose between the two track-program, Employment Facilitation Track and Microenterprise Development Track.

Ten years have passed, and the program has assisted over 2 million families, brought them out of poverty, allowed the possibility of financial independence, and partnered them up for national and international distribution. Acknowledging the years of success, the ups and downs of establishing one’s own livelihood, this is reflected in one of SLP’s activities dubbed as Likhang Hiraya.

Likhang Hiraya comes from the combination of two Filipino words: Likha which means to create and Hiraya which means out of dreams or vision. At DSWD Field Office 9, Likhang Hiraya was conducted to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the program last August 9-13, 2021 at SM City Mindpro. Featuring the products of one of the most successful SLP Association it has organized, the Tugbungan Ayudahan Livelihood Association (TALA).

Originally composed of 15 members in 2015, mostly of housewives in their neighborhood, much of their founding members have come and go, pursued other livelihood opportunities, hired househusbands, exhibited for national and international displays as well. Their product – hand crafted bags, pouches, and face masks made from batik cloth – has awarded them with a pool of loyal customers that commission the association during events and often buy their products as tokens and souvenirs. With the bright-colored and fascinating patterns of the batik cloth it easily catches the attention of a walking individual – begging them to buy the hanging bag or pouch.

TALA President Estrella Dinampo hopes that the Likhang HIraya Display would encourage those to join SLP and pursue a livelihood that could someday be worthy to be put up for display.

Likhang Hiraya not only aimed to showcase the abilities and skills SLP has honed but to show the faces of Sibol (Solidarity and Innovation in Building Opportunities for Livelihoods), portraying the stories behind the track they chose, their motivations to carry on and to rise after every adversary faced. It hopes to influence the public of the possibilities and opportunities with the program.

The event proved to only be the beginning of a fruitful partnership between the agency and the SM establishment that would help benefit SLP Associations in promoting and retailing their products and produce.

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD has been receiving complains of what they feel could be a scam, and those who are already victims of this modus have approached Project Development Officers (PDOs) of the program demanding to be paid the promised Php 15,000.00 Livelihood Assistance Grant.

Reports of alleged groups and individuals claiming to work with SLP and asking people to pay a processing fee assuring them that they will receive LAG. The amount asked ranges between Php 10.00 to Php 350.00 with reasons ranging from photocopying fee, processing fee, computer fee, or assurance fee. These groups carry with them a copy of the The target of these scammers are areas with little to no knowledge of the program, including some barangays in Zamboanga City such as Rio Hondo, Ayala, Recodo, Balunoh, Sinunuc, Upper Calarian, Mampang, San Roque, Sta. Barbara, Campo Islam, Sta. Catalina, Kasanyangan, Talon-Talon, Tugbungan, and Zambowood.

A meeting was conducted with the head of the alleged group wherein a list containing 1,123 individuals from the above-mentioned barangays are seeking to be given LAG last July 19, 2021. Names on the said list along with their local leaders have been given orientation on the program, the stages, its modalities, the tracks available for the, and requirements for accreditation by July 21, 2021. Currently, the names are undergoing name-matching against the Listahanan Database for eligibility to be part of the program.

SLP warns against the conduct of collecting fees from the public. While the action of referring individuals to the program is encouraged, promising them the assurance of payment should be discontinued. Public are advised to ask for identification from groups and individuals offering them financial assistance and to report to the field office on any suspicious activities.