City of San Fernando, Pampanga—Director Roy Calfoforo, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) focal in charge of programs and partnerships with NGOs, said that ‘Philippines became an International model of Family Development Session (FDS) in Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program.’

The Regional Civil Society Organization (CSO) was spearheaded by DSWD last January 29, 2016 at Citybelt, Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

The event was conducted in line with the department’s thrust program Active Civil Society Organizations engagement with Bantay, Gabay, Kaagapay at Tulay concept. DSWD recognizes the CSOs as its active partners in successfully implementing the services programs of the department.

One of the biggest roles of the CSOs is being the facilitator in the Family Development Session (FDS) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Since most of the partner CSOs of the department are faith-based organization, they helped on molding the moral and spiritual being of the program’s beneficiaries.

“Giving them numerous grants is worthless if their [the beneficiaries’] attitude and values would not be developed,” said Dir. Calfoforo. He also recognizes that the CSOs unlike other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are functional even without fund source, for they always have their own way of performing deeds. Having cited the importance of the CSOs, they then lobbied their sentiment on transportation allowance, IDs, and uniforms. Dir. Calfoforo responded that such can be resolved on the regional level where the Travel Expense Voucher (TEV) of the CSOs can be included the Financial Workplan of the Regional Office. Ms. Tomasa Lirio, the Program Coordinator of Pantawid in Region III then directly asked for the aid on approving the proposal of the Regional office—that the fund will directly come from the Office of the Secretary, which was nodded upon by Dir. Calfoforo. She also reminded the CSOs to use the supposed IDs and uniforms only during session facilitation, in case, which was agreed upon by the CSOs.

The assemblage ended with the presentation of the CSOs Work Plans per province that will serve as a basis on the consolidation of the Regional Work Plan for 2016, which was followed by the signing of the Renewal of Commitments of the CSO members. ### (Andyleen C. Feje)

“Kaya ko ipinapaliwanag sa inyo ito, para ipaliwanag n’yo sa kanila. Ikalat natin ang magandang inpormasyong ito,” (The reason why I am explaining it to you is for you to do the same thing. Let us spread this good information) said Corazon Soliman, Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), during the breakfast meeting with the DSWD staff of Region III last January 23, 2015 at Harvest Hotel, Cabanatuan City.

The breakfast meeting was held in preparation for the People’s Dialogue on Empowerment and Good Governance later that very day. Sec. Soliman informed the group that there had been a total 1.5 million PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries who are no longer in the poor index; the 1.5 million beneficiaries are now classified as non-poor based on the Listahanan or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). Among the 1.5 million beneficiaries, 55% of them came from Region III. It is a proof that Pantawid is functioning as a helping hand in aiding the people to cross the way out of poverty.

“But it does not mean that they are classified non-poor, they will be out of the program. They are the sole responsible for their elimination, and that is non-compliance,” explained Sec. Soliman. The household beneficiaries must comply the following: in education, children 6-18 years old must be enrolled in primary/secondary schools or equivalent (such as Alternative Learning System [ALS]) and must at least have 85% attendance, children 3-5 year old must attend day care/pre-school program with at least 85% school attendance; for health, children 0-5 years old must get regular preventive health check-ups, growth monitoring, and vaccines, pregnant women must get pre-natal care and must be attended by skilled/professional health during child birth (mothers who have given birth must get post-natal care in accordance with the attendance of DOH protocol, children 6-14 years old must receive deworming pills twice a year; and in Family Development Session (FDS), parents/guardians must attend the monthly FDS where there is a discussion on effective parenting, husband and wife relationship, child development, laws affecting the Filipino family, Gender and Development (GAD), and home management.

According to her there is a P9 million 2016 budget for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) to assure that the 1.5 million determined non-poor beneficiaries will no longer fall back into the pit of poverty. “Sila ang tututukan natin para ‘di sil amawala, para ‘wag silang malaglag ulit. Pasisiglahin natin ang employment capacity nila,” (We are going to focus on them so that they will not end up falling. We are going to invigorate the employment capacity) she said. She then ended up her statement by mentioning that institutional effort will be doubled to let the Good Governance Legacy be continuous. ### (Andyleen C. Feje)

Aalis na si Aling Ailyn sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pillipino Program, aalis siyang may ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.
Si Marilyn “Ailyn” Feje, 46, maybahay, ay isa sa mga napiling benepisyaryo ng Pantawid sa Barangay Bertese,Quezon, Nueva Ecija.

Ayon kay Aling Ailyn, isa sa mga pangunahing pangagailangan ng tao ay pagkain, pagkain para sa kaniyang sarili at para sa kanyang pamilya. ‘Di man lubos na pinagkaitan nito ang pamilya nila ay masasabi naman niyang minsan di’y may kakapusan.

Nakasanayan na ng kanilang pamilya ang kawalan ng ulam tuwing umaga, hindi na ginagawang magtanong ng kanyang asawa at mga anak, basta may tirang kanin mula kinagabihan, iniraraos nilang simulan ang araw. Masama ang magpalipas ng gutom, kaya kung walang asukal at kape, hangga’t mayroon namang bagoong, toyo o kahit asin lang, basta’t magkalasa man lang ang kanin, gatas ng manok kung tawagin ng pamilya.

S’werte na ayon sa kanila kung tanghali at may tig-iisang “bangus” o “inasal” na sitsirya silang ulam. Pinaka swerte na kapag may tanggap na tahi si Aling Ailyn at maraming sumakay sa motor ng asawa niyang si Mang Andeng (Ferdinand Feje, 46), tiyak na iyong adobong baboy mula gabi hanggang kinabukasanbukasan ng tanghali ang kanilang ulam. Tig-iisang hiwa ang bawat miyembro ng kanilang pamilya ng karne na kasing laki ng kahon ng posporo, saka sasabawan ni Aling Ailyn ito ng isang tabo. Bawi na lang sa kanin.

Kaya nga hindi na rin naniniwala ang mga tao na wala silang makain dahil malalaki rin naman ang katawan ng mag-anak, ‘di nila alam ay bumabawi lang din naman ang mga ito sa kanin. Kaya naman ng minsang wala nang gustong magpahiram sa kanila ng bigas ay may isang kamag-anak nila nagpautang sa pamilya ng laon na bigas na mas malala pa ang lasa sa NFA na bigas na natambak, na kahit budburan na ni Aling Ailyn ng pagkarami-raming pandan ay ganu’n pa rin ang lasa. Ngunit mula sa pagkakataong ‘yon ay nalaman ng mag-anak na nasasanay din pala ang dila at ang sikmura.

Ang kasanayang ito, ayon kay Aling Ailyn ay lubos n’yang nasaksihan sa panganay niyang anak na si Andy (Andyleen Feje, 21). Nasanay na, ayon kay Aling Ailyn, ang kanyang panganay na hindi lang pagkain pati na rin ang hiya ay lunukin. Dinanas aniya ng panganay niya nung kolehiyo ito na magtinda ng tig-pipisong sitsirya, stick-o, jelly-ace, creamstick na halos limang piso lang din naman ang tubo kada balot; hanggang sa pamumulot ng mga pinagbasyuhan ng tubig, at mga lumang bakal at pakong tinanggal mula sa mga ginagawang gusali sa pamantasan ng CLSU (Central Luzon State University).

Lahat ng pwedeng pagkakitaan ay pinasok ng kanyang anak, maging ang pananahi ng mga maluluwang na uniform, t-shirts, at punda ng unan ng mga kaklase nito at ka-boardmates ng kaklase niya; pati na rin ang panggugupit ng buhok para lang may dagdag na panggastos para sa mga ipapaphotocopy na hand-outs at libro na kung tutuusin ay illegal, ngunit ano ngang magagawa wala namang pambili.

Ayon kay Aling Ailyn, tuwing titingnan o makikita niya ang anak na may uwi o dala na naman paninda, maluluwang na damit, gamit panggupit, o mga plastic at bakal, ay ‘di na sigurado ang kanyang mararamdaman; kung magiging masaya ba s’ya na naiisip ng kaniyang anak na makabawas sa gastos nila o malulungkot s’ya dahil hindi niya gustong nahihirapan ng ganito ang kanyang anak.

Pero ang pinaka kumurot sa puso ni Aling Ailyn ay nang minsang ikinuwento sa kanya ng panganay nila ang nangyari rito isang gabi. Hindi pare-pareho ang nabibigay nilang baon sa mga anak, at ang paaralan ng kanyang panganay ay may kalayuan sa kanilang bahay. Isang oras at kalahati ang byahe (dalawang sakay ng jeep), balikan ay P70.00 ang pamasahe. At kung minsan ay kahit anong pagtitipid ngunit dahil may mga ‘di inaasahang gastos sa paaralan tulad ng kontribusyon para sa mga proyekto sa klase ay nagkulang ng ilang piso ang pamasahe ng kanyang panganay pauwi. Hihintayin aniya ng kanyang panganay na malapit na sa kanto nila ang jeep at saka palang nito ipapaabot ang bayad. Tiningnan s’ya ng driver habang napapakamot ito sa kanyang ulo. Titingnan rin s’ya ng ibang pasahero, pero wala aniyang magawa ang anak kung hindi humingi ng pasensya.

Kaya naman napakalaking tulong ani Aling Ailyn ang pagdating sa buhay nila ang tulong ng gobyerno na Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Na tuwing umaga ay may itlog, o tuyo, at noodles na; at may totoo na ring isda para sa tanghalian at kung mas nakakaluwag pa ay totoo na rin ang manok na nakahain sa hapag. Hindi na lang din sila tig-iisang hiwa ng baboy, tatlo na. At ang pinakamasarap sa lahat ay hindi na nila madalas kailanganing umutang ng bigas. Nakakatikim na rin sila kahit papano ng bigas mula sa sariling bukid dahil hindi na lang nauuwi lahat ng inaaning palay ng pamilya sa pambayad ng utang. Hindi na rin kinakailangang magtago at magsara ng bahay dahil sa mga nakikipyestang kaklase ng mga anak niya dahil wala man lang mapakain kahit puto, mayroon na ring pampapasalamat sa tulong ng mahal nilang patron para mairaos ang isang buong taon.

At dobleng pasasalamat ang namutawi sa labi ni Aling Ailyn nang masaling iskolar ang panganay niya sa ESGP-PA kasabay ng pagiging University Scholar nito. Aniya’y pareho ang naramdaman nila ng kanilang panganay ng makakuha ito ng tulong na pera, hindi raw nito maibaba ang bag niya kasi noon lang ito nakahawak ng gaanoon kalaking salapi.

Dahilan doon ay hindi na kailangan pang magtinda ng anak niya ng kung anu-ano sa klase na napag-alaman nilang bawal pala, at ganu’n din ang pamumulot ng kung anu-anong pwedeng maibenta. Samantalang ang kinikita ng panganay nila sa pananahi at panggugupit ay nadadagdag naman nito sa kanyang ipon o “extra” na pinambibili naman nito ng pasalubong na inuuwi niya kay Aling Ailyn at Mang Andeng; “para pambawi man lang sa kanilang buong araw na paghihirap nila pagsusumikap,” ayon kay Andy, ganoon din para sa mga kapatid niya.
At ang pinaka magaan sa pakiramdam, ayon kay Aling Ailyn ay ‘di na niya naiisip ang anak na nagbibilang paulit ulit ng baon nitong pera tuwing matatapos ang araw; at sa pagbaba nito ng jeep ay pareho na silang nakangiti ng driver.

“Masasabi kong mas’werte pa rin talaga kami. Isang buong pusong pasasalamat sa Panginoon, at sa mga tao at institusyon o programang itinaguyod n’ya upang tumulong sa mga katulad namin. Ang pagtatapos ng hamon ng buhay sa kolehiyo ng aking anak ay ‘di namin mapagtatagumpayan kung hindi sa tulong n’yo. Kaya naman ngayong nabigyan siya ng pagkatataong magtabaho bilang Information Officer ng Pantawid sa Region III, kahit na ang ibig sabihin nito’y maaalis na ang aming pamilya sa programa, ako ay masaya,” aniya. “Alam ko, ng asawa ko, at ng mga anak namin na mahirap kami ngayon, at mabuti na ring alam namin. Pero may isa pa kaming bagay na alam at sinisigurado, ‘di namin hahayaang matapos na lang ang lahat dun at ‘di namin basta baliwalain ang tulong n’yo, sapagkat sa pagkakasali ko rito ay nalaman kong bawat pisong ibinigay ninyo ay maari kaming maitawid sa pagbabago,” dagdag niya. ### (Andyleen C. Feje)

Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. – Dr. Jose P. Rizal

“Ito ay isang patotoo na maaari nating gamitin upang makamit ang inaasam na kaunlaran,” thus said Jerry Mariano, Jr., 14 years old, grade 9 student of Ligaya National High School in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.

True to what he believes, Jerry, Jr has been an active student in both academic and extra-curricular activities in his school. He stood out among his classmates when he claimed the 4th spot from his batch. He has maintained a balance in his studies and in his active involvement other school activities.

His love for Math was shown in some quiz bees that he joined. He has also developed his talent in dancing and poster making by joining school competitions. His inclination to arts is being maximized through various competitions in poster making contests that he joined. He considers it as one way of expressing his feelings and ideas about the beauty of God’s creation.

At a very young age Jerry, Jr has already discovered his love for nature. When he joined a contest on “mother nature” he said that it was tough but he was able to relay the importance of protecting and conserving the beauty and integrity of the environment.

As he grows older, he becomes more inclined to music and dance. He plays instruments whenever he wants to get an inspiration or relieve anything that bothers him.

Jerry, Jr is not an ordinary boy who only wants to go to school just for the sake of being there. He has a big dream to fulfill. He has shown interest in school since day care days and up to now he pursues his studies by doing his best in academic and active participation in extra-curricular activities. His one of the memorable events in his high school life was during the recognition in his grade 8. He was top 2 of his class as a result of his hard work. His family supports him all the way in all his endeavors.

What makes him different from other boys his age is that Jerry is a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. His family belongs to Set I as their municipality is one of the poorest municipalities in the Province of Nueva Ecija.

Jerry, Jr was born from a typical family with his father as the main breadwinner who works as a mechanic earning P500.00 a day on an irregular basis. According to his father, Jerry Sr, “Mapalad na ako kung may trabaho ako ng lima hanggang sampung beses sa loob ng isang buwan.”

With his meager income, Jerry, Sr said that before it was impossible for them to raise his four children. Until Pantawid Pamilya came, “Laking pasasalamat namin at nakasali kami sa Pantawid dahil may kaantabay na kami sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin ng mga anak namin lalo na sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Jerry, Sr claimed.

Jerry, Jr’s mother Norilyn, 34 and a high school graduate was one of the first Pantawid Pamilya parent leaders in their community. The confidence and determination that she had developed as a parent leader had earned the respect of her members. However, she opted to work abroad in 2014 because she wanted to help her children finish college. She earns P16,000 a month and her salaries for the first few months were used in settling the debts incurred in processing her papers in going to Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic helper. She can now send money to her the family in varying amount.

Meanwhile, Jerry Sr has assumed Norilyn’s role as a parent leader and a community health worker. Municipal Link Raymond De Fiesta said that, “Hanga ako sa kanya dahil tinanggap niya ang hamon ng pagiging parent leader at siya ay talagang nakakatulong lalo na sa pagmomonitor ng mga myembrong medyo pasaway. Kung paaano sinusunod at nirerespeto si Norilyn ng mga miyembro ay ganoon din ang trato sa kanya.”

“Hindi naging madali ang aking pag-aaral dahil sa kahirapan nguni’t hindi ito nagging hadlang lalo na at kasama naming ang Pantawid Pamilya. Makakatawid kami sa kahirapan patungo sa kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral na mabuti, magtiyaga kahit maraming pagsubok sa buhay at huwag makalimot tumawag sa Panginoon. Sa pagiging mabuting anak na nag-aaral na mabuti ang ang susi sa tagumpay sa tulong ng ating Pantawid kayang-kaya nating tumawid sa kaunlaran,” Jerry, Jr. concluded. ###

(City of San Fernando, Pampanga) Some P11, 604,908.40 worth of relief goods has been provided to the victims of typhoon Nona which occurred on December 15 affecting six (6) provinces of Central Luzon.

As of December 19, 5:00 pm disaster monitoring report, DSWD Field Office III reported that the assistance came from the DSWD and local government units (LGUs). Of the said amount, P8, 972,968.40 worth of relief goods came from the DSWD; P2,131,640.00 from the local government units (LGUs) of affected towns; and P500,000.00 from the Provincial Government of Aurora. The content of the DSWD family food packs are rice, assorted canned goods, and coffee.

As part of its augmentation support to the LGUs, the DSWD has likewise prepositioned 1,000 family food packs each to the eight (8) municipalities of the 4th District of Pampanga. This is in preparation for the preemptive evacuation of families who will be most likely affected by flooding due to continuous rains.

Likewise, the DSWD Central Office has sent 40,000 family food packs to augment the resources of the Field Office. Of this, 10,000 was delivered directly to the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija, 10,000 to Aurora, another 10,000 for the regional office for the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan and another 10,000 food packs as standby supplies for additional requirements of any municipalities in Nueva Ecija which may need additional food assistance.
The DSWD Central Office has likewise sub-allotted P10 million standby fund for the region which can be used to purchase locally emergency relief supplies.

Nona has affected 131,358 families composed of 606,669 persons from 35 municipalities in six (6) provinces of Central Luzon. Nueva Ecija, the hardest hit province has 73,215 families affected followed by Pampanga with 26,479 families and Bulacan with 25,645.

Of the total affected, 11,246 families composed of 54,664 persons are still staying in 149 evacuation centers (ECs) in the region. Of these, 9,175 families are occupying 117 evacuation centers in Nueva Ecija; 1,518 families in 12 ECs in Bulacan; 138 families in 13 ECs in Aurora; 410 families in six ECs in Pampanga; and five families in one EC in Bataan. In addition, 51,911 are being served outside the evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the DSWD quick response teams (QRT) which were activated before the onset of the typhoon have been closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas and closely coordinate with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (DRRMC) in their respective areas of assignment. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)

“Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein

This holds true for Monica Beltran, 13 years old and a grade-8 student at Aningway Scatihan High School Annex VI, Aningway, Subic, Zambales.

Monica Beltran belongs to an Indigenous Peoples (IP) community. Their house is a one-hour travel from the town proper. With the abundant agricultural land area in the community, her father, Joey Vigilia, 43, manages a small vegetable garden which serves as their means of living. He also engages in construction work as a laborer earning P250.00 a day on an irregular basis.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Beltran, 41, works as a housemaid in the neighboring town and earns P3,000.00 a month. This year only that the couple got married and the birth certificate of their children bear the surname of their mother, Beltran.

“Dati po mahirap ang buhay namin lalo na nang magkasakit ang asawa ko ng isang taon at ako lang ang nagtratrabaho. Buti na lang at nakasali kami sa Pantawid at gumaan ang buhay namin. Hindi na naging problema ang gastusin sa school at pamasahe ng mga anak namin sa araw-araw. Nakapagpundar na rin kami ng maliit na tindahan at ang aming kinikita duon ay pandagdag na rin sa mga gastusin sa sa bahay,” Elizabeth said.

The fourth child among the couple’s six children, Monica got a scholarship and able to study in a private school. She is a consistent first honor student and often times a school representative for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Her dedication towards learning can be seen through her achievements from 2005 up to present. She also actively participates in the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA), School of Living Tradition project under the supervision of the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission, Inc. which aims to develop the skills of IP students.

In spite of her long travel from their home to school, nothing can stop her. “I am not studying just to fulfill my dreams but to fulfill others as well, Monica said. In her humble beginnings, she even wanted to share her knowledge within her Sitio by teaching the people how to read and write.

Beyond her achievements, she knows what aspect should be given more importance. In her answer to the question “Sa lahat ng nakamit mo at natutunan mo sa eskwelahan at sa komunidad, ano ang pinakapinahahalagahan mo at bakit,” Monica said, “Una po ay huwag kalimutang tumawag sa Diyos dahil kahit na gaano ka katagumpay, kailangan pa rin natin ang gabay at paghingi ng gabay at kalasakasan tungo sa magandang buhay. Pangalawa po ay ang pagkakaroon ng magandang pag-uugali/asal dahil mas maganda ang taong malinis ang kalooban na handing tumulong sa nanganailangan ng walang kapalit. Sabi nga nila, Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.”

In sharing the positive change in her family, Monica said, “Mas naging magaan po ang aming pamumuhay at mas lalo pang naging matiwasay at payapa sa tulong ng Pantawid. Mula noong nagsimula ay gumanda ang antas ng aming pamumuhay. Sa ngayon po ay third year college na ang isa sa aking mga kapatid. Nang dahil po sa inyong tulong, makakamit na niya ang tagumpay. Bilang benipisyaryo ng Pantawid kaming pong lahat na magkakapatid ay makakatapos din sa pag-aaral. Kayat salamat po sa inyo, ang laki ng naitulong ninyo sa amin at pati na sa ibang tao. Sana po ay lumawig po ang programa.”

Isa po kayong inspirasyon sa paggawa ng mabuti sa napakaraming Pilipino, Monica concluded. ###

“Dahil sa Pantawid Pamilya makakaahon na kami sa hirap.”

Ito ang sinambit ni Amelita Samorin, 47 taong gulang ng Barangay Sapangbato Angeles City sa kanyang testimonya sa TV at radio stations sa Lungsod ng San Fernando.

Si Amelita, benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program at isang parent leader ay nakasali sa programa noong 2011. Sa kasalukuyan ay dalawa sa mga anak nya ang kasali sa programa, si Jade, grade 9 at Xyryl Joy, grade 4.

Isa si Amelita sa mga benepisyaryo ng programa na nakasali sa mga naging panauhin sa mga panayam kay Assistant Secretary Javier Jimenez sa kanyang local media rounds sa Gitnang Luzon.

”Malaking tulong ang Pantawid Pamilya sa aming buhay dahil naibsan ang hirap namin sa buhay; nagkaroon ng panggastos sa pag-aaral ang mga anak ko at hindi na problema ang allowance at iba pang gastusin sa school,” ang sabi ni Amelita sa isang interview sa TV.

Dati ay umaasa lamang kami sa aking asawa na si Joselitos na kumikita ng P500.00 kada araw bilang electrician pero ito ay hindi palagian. May P1,700 na allowance din akong tinatanggap kada buwan bilang isang Barangay Nutrition Scholar sa aming barangay pero hindi pa rin ito sapat dahil lima ang aming mga anak, sabi ni Amelita.
Ang cash grants na tinatanggap nila ay nakatulong din ng malaki sa pamasahe ni Kevin, pangalawa sa panganay na anak nila na nakapagtapos ng BS Biology dito sa isang unibersidad sa Angeles City bilang isang scholar, dugtong ni Amelita.

Bilang parent leader, naglalakad ng mahigit na isang kilometro si Amelita kasama ang City Link upang marating ang mga benepisyaryong Aeta ng programa. “May pasaway sa kanila pero kaya ko silang pakitunguhan at natutuwa ako dahil nakakapag-aral na ang kanilang mga anak. Natuto nilang pahalagahan ang edukasyon at nag-improve na rin ang kanilang hygiene practices. Ang lahat ng ito ay dahil sa natutunan nila sa regular na pagdalo sa Family Development Session. Hindi ko iniinda ang pagod dahil alam kong nakakatulong din ako sa kanilang pagbabago,” ang may pagmamamlaking tinuran ni Amelita.

Taos-puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa ating gobyerno at sa Pantawid Pamilya dahil marami ang natutulungan at patuloy na umaahon mula sa kahirapan. Pinahahalagahan namin ang Pantawid at lalo kaming nagsisikap na mangarap upang makaahon sa hirap. Maraming salamat po,” ang pangwakas na mensahe ni Amelita. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)

.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 3 conducted recently an orientation for encoders and verifiers in the region for the second round validation of Listahanan.

The orientation was led by Ms. Gracia Zablan, Regional Focal Person and Kevin James Roque, Regional Information Technology Officer. Zablan discussed the importance of being an encoder and how can they help in achieving accurate information for the program.

Meanwhile, Jessa Marzan, Statistician II who stressed the need for validation said that there are households that should not be included in the list of poor households (inclusion error), and households that claim they should be in the list (exclusion error); and some data entered in the Family Assessment Form are incomplete. This will result list inaccurate list that do not represent the actual number of poor households in the community.

Validation phase provides opportunity for the review of the preliminary list of poor and non-poor households generated after the initial Proxy Means Test (PMT); facilitates the identification of erroneous entries; inclusion of households not assessed; and accommodates changes based on merit. It also aims to come up with an accurate, credible, and final list that will be generated after a thorough review with the communities and their LGU’s.

LISTAHANAN is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. It gives a face to poverty statistics, addresses the increase in poverty incidence, develops a unified criteria in identifying the poor, and shares the database of poor households to stakeholders engaged in social protection and reduce leakage of scarce resources to the non-poor. ### (FTSanga, Jr)