In line with National Family Week Celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development gathered the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program in a 1-day activity which aimed to celebrate the values and successes of Filipino families.

The Family Day 2019 was held last October 06, 2019 at the Scout Limbaga, Pasonanca, Zamboanga City in partnership with the Local Government Unit and other program stakeholders.

Anchored on the theme “Kalusugan Pangkaisipan ng Pamilya Pilipino”, approximately 100 family beneficiaries from various barangays in Zamboanga City such as Canelar, Camino Nuevo, Pasonanca, and Sta. Maria joined in the festive merriment as a symbol of unity and promote camaraderie among DSWD staff and beneficiaries alike.

OIC-Regional Director of the DSWD IX, Fatima S. Caminan, personally delivered her message to the beneficiaries emphasizing their crucial role in nation building.

“Family is the smallest yet the strongest unit in the society. And we, in the DSWD, are very proud that most of our family beneficiaries show resiliency amidst hardships which means a lot because it tells us that they are willing to help the Department bring positive change in their lives,” Caminan said.

The event also served as an avenue for other partner-stakeholders of 4Ps to provide social services for the poor household beneficiaries such as medical and dental services from the Department of Health, livelihood training from TESDA, massage services from the Area Vocational and Rehabilitation Center III and other recreational activities from Mary Kay and Jollibee Foods Corporations.

The National Program Management Office of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also held the same activity on September 29, 2019 which was participated by all of the regional Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya from across 17 regions in the country.

HAPPENINGS DURING THE FAMILY DAY

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office IX through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) held its Partnership Forum in LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City on October 1, 2019.

Attended  by Participants from the different Government Agencies, Private Sector, and other institutional partners, the forum intends to provide updated and appropriate planned programs and services to be implemented for possible collaborative efforts and support from duly established partners and stakeholders for sustainable implementation in the community where the program implementers of Sustainable Livelihood Program work.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is a capability-building program for poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities to improve their socio-economic conditions through accessing and acquiring necessary assets to engage in and maintain thriving livelihoods.

The activity also aims to ensure partnership and collaborative efforts in the implementation of developmental programs and services of the communities; To emphasize prioritization of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations and SLP products in implementing partnership initiatives with the NGAs as mandated by the Central Office, and; To strengthen collaboration with National and Local partners in promoting and delivering employment opportunities, economic ventures and skills enhancement.

In his message, Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos underscored the importance of gathering the SLP stakeholders,  “Reducing poverty is not only responsibility of one sector, like national government but also includes private sector. We cannot achieve development on poorest of the poor without our partners.”

“We are inviting you in a hope of touching your heart in helping us reduce the poverty. I wish this forum of partnership will not only start today but also continue in the future. Let us continue to communicate with each other, look at how we can contribute to reduce poverty.” Director Ramos added

Joan France, a 24-year old gal, is from Balangasan, Pagadian City.  She is the eldest daughter of Julieta Nillas-Piedad and Francisco Piedad.  Just like any other teenager, she dreamed of finishing her college degree. Her parents want to make her dream possible. Even her father works as laborer and her mother is a housewife; they find ways to shoulder all the expenses especially her daily allowances, petty contributions and school projects. Joan had to budget wisely her php30.00 daily allowance which is for her transportation to and from the school, and the remaining ten (10) pesos is for her snacks.  However, she prefers to use her php10.00 for their photocopy fees of her lessons so she can study at home.

There were also times that Joan felt difficulty in paying for Intramural’s fee in school during her college days.  She was hesitant to ask money from her parents because she knew that her parents were also paying her younger sister’s tuition fees. 

The time came that her parents decided to stop her from going to school because they couldn’t afford to support her financial needs.  Her parents’ decision pained her so much. She didn’t want to stop studying because she wanted to become someone in the future. So, she decided to work as “kasambahay” (housekeeper) of Ms. Esterlita Dela Torre, the City Public Accountant of Pagadian City.

As a working student, she strictly manages her time in order to cope up and adjust herself as she had to work during the day, and attend classes at night.  She does her household chores early so that she won’t be late in her classes. Just like anyone who losses hope, she felt like giving up because she was exhausted especially during examination period.  She studies while at work, such as reading her notes while washing laundries. She needed to double time her phase to cope up with all the subjects she had to study.

 “I’m proud of myself that I could get through these till I became one of the scholars of DSWD’s Extended Student’s Grant in Poverty Aleviation (ESGP-PA).  I feel blessed and grateful for I didn’t have to work day and night,” Joan proudly said. It was not easy being a “kasambahay” while studying.  She was able to focus more in school and participating in extra-curricular activities.  That led her to get her desired degree, she finished Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Western Mindanao State University External Studies Unit of Pagadian City.

The time came when Joan needs to go for Social Work Review, which means she needs money for the expenses. Fortunately, her mother, Julieta, was a member of Borrowers Cooperative SLP Association (a 2015 project) where her mother borrowed money from with a low interest monthly rate. Joan was determined to make all the efforts of her parents and herself become worth it.  Her prayer was answered and she was very grateful when she successfully passed the licensure examination.

However, Joan didn’t apply for offices that are related with her degree. She availed a Pre-employment Assistance Fund (PEAF) of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) worth Four Thousand Five Hundred Fifteen Pesos (Php4,515.00).  She used the fund to pay her employment processing fees in Mang Inasal. She had her managerial training in Manila and deployed her in Pagadian City in September 2016. Currently, she works as an Assistant Restaurant Manager and she is earning fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000.00) every month.“Despite of the challenges I’ve been through for where I am now and what I have, all these are fruit of my effort, hardwork, determination, and persistence.  Poverty is not a hindrance to what you want to become. It is always a choice and initiative on how to get what you wanted. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs,” an inspiring message from Joan France N. Piedad, RSW/Assistant Restaurant Manager.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with the City Government of Zamboanga honored the heroes of the devastating Zamboanga siege on its 6th-year commemoration on September 9, 2019 at City Grounds, Zamboanga City.

The commemoration activity entitled A Special Day of Remembrance was conducted to pay tribute to the fallen heroes who fought for security, for their comrades, for the civilians who were used as human shields, and for the city; for the civilians who lost their lives protecting their families, friends, homes, neighbors, and the innocent children against violence and greed of the misguided few.

DSWD’s Undersecretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development, Danilo G. Pamonag graced the event as the keynote speaker where he also led the wreath-laying ceremony together with the Zamboanga City Mayor, Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar at the memorial marker on Rizal Street. It was also attended by DSWD Field Office 9 Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos, and other local and national agency representatives.

Prior to his role in the DSWD, Usec. Pamonag served in the military as Commander of the AFP Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG), the country’s top-tier counter-terrorist unit, when the 2013 Zamboanga Siege broke out.

“Do you know the difference between Zamboanga and Marawi? Why were we able to defeat the enemy in 21 days compared to Marawi Siege? In Zamboanga, you have your government led by your Mayor Beng Climaco that looked after the displaced families. So our [military] attention was focused only on attacking and apprehending the rebels. And it helped a lot,” Usec. Pamonag said during his speech yesterday.

It can be recalled that the invasion of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 2013 has affected 14 barangays in the city and displaced more than 18,110 families with 78,747 individuals who temporarily took refuge in the 66 evacuation centers. A total of 510,119,723.08 worth of assistance were provided by the DSWD during emergency, early recovery and rehabilitation phase of the disaster operations.

The DSWD also provided augmentation support amounting to Php. 58,663,500.00 (an amount transferred by the NHA) to continuously implement programs for the Internally Displaced Persons (IPDs) until the eventual transfer of all affected families to their permanent shelters/homes.

As per status report submitted by the City Social Welfare and Development Office as of May 08, 2018, out of the total target of 5,587 IDP families, only 4,415 or 79% initially availed of the financial assistance with a total grant utilized amounting to Php. 43,898,000.00. The remaining unutilized funds are in the possession of the department where schedule of payout depends on the submission of master list from Housing and Land Management Division (HLMD). DSWD is tasked to provide and validate the list of IDPs in permanent shelters with an assistance amounting of Php. 10,000.00 per family.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Sustainable Livelihood Program special projects and Presidential Management has awarded the dependents of the Killed in Action soldiers on September 6, 2019 at LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City.

As can be recalled, an encounter between the Abu Sayyaf militant group and the 44th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on April 6, 2016 took the lives of 18 soldiers and wounded 53 troopers at Sitio Bayoko, Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan Province.

The Malacanang through former President Beningo Aquino ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide further assistance to the members of the bereaved families along with the cash allocation amounting to 300,000.

The Approved project costs of P300,000 will be awarded to each dependent in two tranches where the first tranche shall be equivalent to 70% of the approved projects costs while the remaining 30% shall be awarded after implementation, assessment and liquidation of the initial livelihood funds.

DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Baustista led the formal turn-over ceremony together with Regional Director Nestor Ramos and Assistant Director for Operations Fatima Caminan.

Following the said turnover of cash assistance, a Basic Business Management Training to these beneficiaries was organized to provide technical inputs as required by the Program itself. The said 3 day training ushered the participants to draw out plans, learn basic skills on financial recording and financial management to identify strategies for resource mobilization.

DSWD assured for further monitoring on their business enterprises three months after the release of their respective funds.

The provision for families of KIA and WIA soldiers is covered under the Special Projects of the Sustainable Livelihood Program in collaboration with the Presidential Management Staff of Malacańang.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is currently preparing for the second nationwide social welfare assessment among beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, better known as 4Ps.

This is to determine the level of well-being of the beneficiaries after a decade of interventions thru the program implementation. The Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) administration will determine whether a family beneficiary is still in the survival, subsistence, or self-sufficient state.

Survival is defined as the condition where there is lack of inner and external resources which make households unable to resolve problems and survive in a daily basis. Subsistence is a condition that opens some resources and alternatives to the beneficiaries to surpass basic daily needs, while Self-sufficiency means the households already have other sources of income and can already stand without interventions from the government. 

“Kailangan nating malaman kung ano na ang kalagayan ng ating mga beneficiaries at kung anong tamang intervention ang pwede pang ibigay sa kanila para maging self-sufficient. (We need to know the state of well-being of our beneficiaries and determine appropriate interventions for them to reach self-sufficiency),” Regional Program Coordinator, Ms. Flordeliza A. Atuy said during the orientation with program staff in Region 9. 

Other than determining the level of well-being of the beneficiaries, the SWDI is also a tool that will help the Department identify the needs and capabilities of the partner-beneficiaries to be able to provide interventions for the improvement of their lives not just from the DSWD but from the other social service providers as well.

The Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) of the Pantawid Pamilya currently conducts orientation and information dissemination for awareness about the upcoming household assessment.

The first SWDI administration, which was conducted in 2015, revealed that among the (then) 279,212 household beneficiaries, 229,375 or 82% of the total 4Ps household population in region 9 have improved condition of life since their enrollment to the program.

Pantawid Pamilya targets to administer the SWDI tool to 312,000 active beneficiaries both from the Regular Conditional Cash Transfer Program (RCCT) and the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program (MCCT) in region 9.

The total budget for the administration in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula is 19 million which covers expenses on orientation, hiring of enumerators, encoders, and other operational expenses. The DSWD field office IX has requested for an additional of 5 million pesos for augmentation.

The SWDI administration is targeted to be conducted for 3 months starting end of September to December this year.

Pantawid Pamilya is a social protection program of the national government that invests in the health and education of poor households primarily of children aged 0-18 and pregnant women. Program beneficiaries receive cash grants as they comply with the program conditions applicable to their households. The conditions are: pregnant women must avail pre and post-natal care and be attended during childbirth by a trained health professional; parents must attend Family Development Sessions (FDS); 0-5 years old children must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines; 6-14 years old children must receive deworming pills twice a year; and children beneficiaries (0-18 years old) must enroll in school and maintain a class attendance of at least 85% per month. As of May 2018, there are 4.39 million active households in the program nationwide.

It is often said that the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Bines family may be a living epitome of this saying. Spreading the seed of goodness to the community stems from the foundation that the family nurtures.

Both parents, Rolando Bines and Analyn Labang, believe that whatever they do today will be reflected by their children in the future hence they make sure that they become models of good values to their children.

They believe that the best fruit of success that they will reap in the future is when they will see their children being of service to people other than themselves. That is why as early as now, they show their children what kindness truly means and how this is important to realize their purpose in life.

BACKSTORY

In a small, remote town in the southern part of Mindanao is a 4^th-class municipality where the locals seem to share hospitality and generosity towards each other. The people of Barangay Tandubuay in the Municipality of San Pablo, Zamboanga del Sur, could attest to the kindness and the brand of legacy of the Bines family.

Rolando, 47, is described as a “Jack of all Trade” as his does almost, if not all, tasks that require specific skills in the household. He does plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, and a few more others.

Despite him being color blind, he sees to it that his family’s life is always full of colors.

His wife, Analyn, 42, on the other hand, is expert in handling household concerns such as taking care of their children, managing their finances, and ensuring the family’s health, among others.

Blessed with three children, the couple strives to provide the needs of their children be it in health and/or in education. Ron Kennoly, 16, is now in Grade 11; Christine Jan, 14, is in Grade 9 and both are studying at San Pablo National High School; while the youngest of the siblings, Beethoven, 12, is currently in Grade 12 at Tandubuay National High School.

Despite having experienced hardships that are brought about by poverty, Bines family never lost their faith both in God and in the hope that one day, they will live a comfortable life that they can share not just within their family but with other families in the community as well.

In 2009, a blessing knocked onto their door as they were included in the (then newly-established) conditional cash transfer program of the national government known as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.

They consider it as a big blessing in their family as it helped them discover several other things that they can do with their potential.

KASAKIT (GRIEF) GROUP

Despite having so little in life, Bines family never forgets to help their community in ways they can.

In 2015, Rolando Bines created a support group within their Purok called the Kasakit, a local term which means grief. The Kasakit aims to assuage the burden of the poor, grieving families who have lost a loved one. This support group offers assistance to the bereaved family by providing free labor for the coffin of the deceased.

As a carpenter, Rolando offers his skills and service to make coffins for those who cannot afford to buy one.

“Di na ko mangubra sa ilaha. Gamay nga ikatabang na lang to kay di man ko makahatag og kwarta, (I won’t charge [for my service]. It’s a small help since I could not afford to give them money,” Rolando said in a phone interview.

When asked about the reason why Rolando started this initiative, Analyn said that his husband has always been passionate about helping other people and that he wants to show to his children that they can be of help even if they have less.  

The public saw the positive effect of the help that the Kasakit Group has initiated not just for the bereaved family but for the entire community. The families that they have helped were relieved of additional weight while the community has found hope and faith in humanity.

The practice of the KASAKIT Group has now been replicated by other Puroks in the barangay and it is now adopted by the Barangay Local Government Unit of Tandubuay as one of their best practices.

VIOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Because of their selfless contributions and harmonious relationship with their neighbors, the people of Tandubuay have entrusted the Bines Family with important roles and duties to play in the barangay.

Rolando has become part of the BADAC or the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Committee that enables a drug-free community by helping those who have been victims of the influence of illegal drugs.

In their Purok, Rolando is assigned to talk to the victims for possible surrender and rehabilitation. As of today, Rolando was able to convince 58 surrenderees and their lives have changed since then.

Determined to turn their situation around, Rolando is also hands-on in helping the surrenderees in their community services and activities.

Other than that, he also had contributed in the establishment of several developmental facilities in their barangay such as the Day Care Center, bridge, community chapel, and the ongoing project, a 3-unit classroom for children.

These are on top of his other community services as PTCA President in school, as commentator in church and leader of the Ginagmay Simbahanong Katilingban (GSK) together with his wife, Analyn.

Analyn, on the other hand, was appointed as Barangay Health Worker (BHW) last February 2018.

The Barangay Chairman of Tandubuay, Hon. Lonita M. Largo, said that she saw how responsible Analyn is in handling given tasks. In fact, surprisingly, she has surpassed the number of members and clients served compared to the previous BHWs.

“Maaasahan mo talaga siya sa mga gawain. May hawak siya ngayong 30 households. Yun yung tinutulungan niya in terms sa health ng constituents namin, [She is really trustworthy. She currently handles 30 households which she helps in their health concerns,]” said Hon. Largo.

Analyn monitors the weight and health of the children in their barangay including health of pregnant women. She is also in charge of ensuring the health maintenance of the Senior Citizens.

These deeds of the couple are truly remarkable and exemplary thus making them the powerhouse couple of Barangay Tandubuay.

KUNG ANO ANG PUNO AY SIYA RING BUNGA (A TREE WILL BEAR A FRUIT OF ITS KIND)

The passion and compassion of the parents is now being shared by the entire family. As young as they are, the children also start to show manifestations of being kind-hearted to their neighbors.

Ron Kennoly, the eldest, is part of a group called the People’s Youth Association (PYA), a group of young individuals who share common desire to give back to the community by doing activities that would keep teenagers from trouble.

As the leader of the PYA, Ron Kennoly conducts meetings amongst the members after their Sunday church service. He facilitates bible-sharing and helps in planning activities for youth like him.

Christine Jan, the female child, is currently attending seminar as altar server. This way, their chapel will no longer need for altar servers from outside their barangay.

Her involvement in the church inspires many girls her age to become active as well in the community to avoid the rampant concern on teenage pregnancy.

Beethoven, the youngest of the three children, is a classroom President. He monitors his classmates on their tasks in school and helps them accomplish their tasks.

He says that he plans to be a lawyer someday so that he can help poor families fight for their rights.

The three Bines children are motivated by the examples that they see from their parents. The foundation that they have right now is based on the personal values that Rolando and Analyn have instilled in them.

WINNING MOMENT

Last July 31, Bines Family was awarded as the champion of the regional search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya in Zamboanga Peninsula. They will serve as ambassadors of the program gains brought about by the interventions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

On September 29, they will be invited to Manila to receive a national recognition from the DSWD for being an exemplary family despite the struggles and poverty that they face. This is also one way of the department to highlight the stories of change of many Filipino whose lives have changed because of the collaborative efforts of the government programs.

The Home for Elderly of the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday, August 19, 2019 celebrated its 30^th year anniversary as a residential facility for the aged.

Established on August 15, 1989 in partnership with Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, the Home for the Elderly is a regional facility operated by DSWD Field Office IX which provides temporary shelter and care to dependent, needy, neglected, homeless, unattached and abandoned Filipino Senior Citizens 60 years and above with no contagious disease.

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The center aims to provide clients with residential care to enable them to lead normally and live life decently through provision of rehabilitative programs and services that are geared towards the maintenance of their physical, social and psychological functioning.

Following the Anniversary Mass presided by Rev.Fr.Jonathan Berdejo was the formal Inauguration and blessing of the completed CRCF construction, repair and upgrading projects. Two of the major highlights were the construction of the Multi-Purpose and Wellness Center with Infirmary Clinic and Aqua Therapeutic Building worth 3,336,805.82 and 2,305,000.00, respectively.

The inauguration was led by Undersecretary for Special Concerns Camilo Gudmalin, DSWD Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Fatima S. Caminan.

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DSWD Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos formally welcomed all the guests, staff and clients present during the affair. “I would like to welcome everyone in this significant occasion as we celebrate the 30strong years of the Home for the Elderly. I would like to recognize and thank the members of Secular Order for Discalced Carmelites who started the humble beginnings of this center. You are indeed part and parcel of this milestone.”, Director Ramos said.

In his message, guest speaker USec. Gudmalin shared the CRCF journey which made these developments and improvements into reality. He also mentioned how important it is to provide decent and comfortable stay for our clients after assessing the real situation of the 71 facilities nationwide.

“I would like to share three important things you need to remember for a successful project implementation, these are: Unity of Vision, Solidarity of Purpose and Teamwork in Action”, Usec. Gudmalin said.

He also underscored the department’s core value on “Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo” as reminder to our goal for the clients and also recognized the workers who painstakingly worked hard together for the realization of the projects through the leadership and monitoring of DSWD Regional Project Management Team.

DSWD Region IX was allocated with 126 Million Budget in 2017 to pursue the construction of the different CRCF projects in all seven centers in the region.

Apart from the major construction, Home for the elderly also underwent major upgrades and repairs on the following: Upgrading of Mess Hall (Php 1,325,494.25); Upgrading of Resident’s Quarters (Php 1,754,509.25) ; Repair of Houseparent’s Quarters (Php 121,000) ; Repair of Administrative Building (Php 339,500) ; Repair of Laundry and Linen Area (479,443.38) and Repair of Powerhouse (Php 143,000).

Center Head Georgina Suico expressed her gratitude for all the support extended and for the gift of the developments in their facility. She committed to take good care of these projects and utilize it to help improve the well-being of the elders who are staying in the center.

“This affair is not the end but just the beginning of a dream come true. Continue to pray for us here so we will be blessed with strength to embrace our mission effectively for our dear clients”, Mrs. Suico added.

To date, the Home for the Elderly caters 51 total clients where 21 are male and 30 are female, respectively. ##