DAVAO City- For the continuous advocacy on the importance of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTSPR) data or Listahanan, as baseline for planning and implementation of social protection programs and services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) conducts data sharing/focus group discussion in all municipalities in Region XI.

Part of the commitment of DSWD is to provide national line agencies, LGUs and stakeholders the pioneer database consisting of a comprehensive data of poor households as a clearer basis in the implementation of their programs and services.

“We already visited the municipalities of Davao Del Sur and Davao Del Norte. Other provinces will be visited as scheduled. Our main goal is to partner with our LGUs so that we can effectively implement poverty alleviation as we believe that LGUs have substantial control in local affairs,” said Raquel E. Nuñez, DSWD National Household Targeting Unit Regional Focal Person.

The data presented to the LGUs was gathered during the 2009-2010 household enumeration. The Second Round Household Enumeration is slated 2013-2014.

The database of poor households shows various poverty indicators like the composition of households, socio-economic condition, incidence of senior citizens, access to water and electricity, occupation, income, tenure status, among others.

Other than the government agencies and LGUs, the department will also conduct focus group discussion with non-government organizations and stakeholders to objectively identify beneficiaries of their social protection programs.

“We are very fortunate that DSWD through this system can provide us the complete data of poor. It is very timely since Gov. Claude Bautista is preparing various programs for the people of Davao Del Sur and our problem is the complete master list of our beneficiaries,” stressed Robert Bellarmine R. Bajo, Provincial Planning and Development Officer.

The Department urged LGUs and NGOs to adopt the available NHTSPR Data or Listahanan to ensure that social protection programs and services will benefit those who really need the assistance. DSWD promotes a standardized and transparent household targeting system for improved governance and accountability. DSWD