Some 3,570,646 or 94 percent of 3,796,791 indigent senior citizens nationwide including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have been validated, as of August 22, 2019, to be eligible beneficiaries of the Social Pension program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Social Pension is a program under Republic Act No. 9994 or the  Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 which provides monthly stipend amounting to P500 to indigent senior citizens in order to augment their daily subsistence and other medical needs.

It can be recalled that the Department has an ongoing validation  as part of its efforts to ensure that only eligible seniors will receive the monthly subsidy provided by the government.

Of the total number of validated beneficiaries, 2,814,410 seniors are already included in the clean list after they were cross-matched to the data base of pensioners under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). DSWD has collaborated with the said agencies for cross-checking of Social Pension beneficiaries vis-à-vis their database for pensioners.

DSWD uses the criteria stated under Republic Act 9994 to undertake the validation. These are the following: senior citizens, 60 years old and above, who are frail, sickly, or with disability;  no pension from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI), or any other insurance company; no permanent source of income; and no regular support from family or relatives for his/her basic needs.

Those who are interested to know more about the program are encouraged to go to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of their city or municipality, or in the DSWD Field Office covering their area.  -30-

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will ensure the smooth transition to the National Commission of Senior Citizens of the functions, programs, projects, and activities being undertaken by the Department for the formulation, implementation, and coordination of social welfare and development (SWD) policies and programs for the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged senior citizens.

This is after President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11350 or the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act.

RA 11350 creates the National Commission of Senior Citizens under the Office of the President, which will be tasked to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens.

Section 11 of the law mandates DSWD to transfer all its functions, programs, projects, and activities for senior citizens to the Commission.

As the government’s focal agency for elderly concerns, the Department advocated for the passing of the law and it was among the agency’s priority legislative measures during the 17th Congress.

DSWD believes that there should be a specialized body that is solely focused on addressing the numerous and varied concerns of the senior citizen sector.

The Department emphasized that the Commission will guarantee sustained focus on the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of senior citizens. It will facilitate more effective coordination among government agencies implementing and monitoring laws for senior citizens and in addressing the sector’s emerging concerns, including the need for a long term care program and protection against elderly neglect and abuse.

Further, the Department will provide the necessary technical assistance to the Commission, especially in the crafting of the Act’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR). (SMS)

DON MARCELINO, Davao Occidental (DSWD XI) – Living in the hinterland Sitio Kimonsol of Barangay Nueva Villa, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental is the family of Joel and Analiza Geverola.  Mr. and Mrs. Geverola are known for their skill in nito weaving, a preserved tradition of many Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines that celebrates a unique and sustainable form of art.

The Geverola family was recently named Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya of Davao Occidental and Regional Pantawid Pamilya ALAGAD (Affirmative and Laudable Advocacies on Gender and Development) ng Pagbabago Awardee.

The Search for Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya aims to recognize family-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and create a positive impact in the community where they reside

The ALAGAD award on the other hand, is given to families from among the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya finalists whose members are living out and championing better gender relations in their homes.

To date, there are 254,843 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Davao Region. 

Nito weaving

Joel and Analiza were joined in marriage on May 14, 2000. They are blessed with seven children. Due to the adversities brought by poverty and the remoteness of their home, the two were not able to finish elementary school. But what they lack in educational achievement, they make up for their giftedness in the art of nito weaving. The two learned to craft baskets out of nito vines since they were children. This skill had been passed down to them from their parents. 

Other than preserving this unique artistic tradition, nito weaving is a means of livelihood of the Geverolas to support their big family. The family also utilizes their inherent craftsmanship in building their own home. The family’s house structure is made of light materials such as nipa, bamboo and round timber.

“Nito weaving may be a good source of livelihood but the income is not stable and constant. There are times we don’t receive orders for our nito products,” Joel said.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the couple still sought alternatives to sustain the needs of its large family. They ventured in livestock raising such as pig, chicken, goat and cow. Joel also accepted a job as laborer on days when they are not weaving nito. But despite all of these hard works, the difficulties brought by the constant demands of life are still too tough, especially in supporting the education of their children.

Some opportunities

In 2012, the household was registered in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “Our family is very grateful of the cash grants we receive from the 4Ps program. Because of this, we are able to provide the needs of our children in school and are able to pay the school fees on time,” Analiza shared.

Analiza, being the grantee, diligently attends orientations, meetings and all developmental activities conducted under the program. In every Family Development Session (FDS), she learns new things that she applies in her daily living.

But one day, fate put their family to test. On their way to acquire nito for a prospect buyer, the couple and four children got attacked by a swarm of bees in the forest which led to their confinement in a hospital. “In order to pay for our huge hospital bills, we decided to sell all our farm animals and consequently, our nito weaving also halted,” Joel recounted. But this trial did no discourage them. Joel and Analiza’s family rose again. Full of hope and optimism, the family resumed their basket production using nito.

The couple also exposed themselves to several skills enhancement programs, trusting that such could help improve their lives.

“I attended a skills training in ketchup making. I was also given the opportunity to participate in a micro-enterprise development and basic employment skills training. Finally, I became a member of the Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) in 2016. I used the money from the seed capital fund amounting to Php 10,000.00 as capital for our nito weaving venture,” Analiza recounted.

Last 2018, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a four-day Training on Nito Weaving in Barangay Nueva Villa, with Joel and Analiza as resource persons. Earlier, DTI attested that the nito products crafted by the couple are of good quality. Jose F. Villanueva Elementary School also plans to tap the couple to train its pupils in nito weaving.

Hard work pays

With the family’s efforts and with the aid of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, all seven of the Geverola children are attending school. Presently, the eldest daughter, Angelyn is set to finish Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at John Paul College, Davao City. Angelyn is also a working student. She finished high school through Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS). Despite the hardships in life, she never stopped schooling.

“Poverty is not a hindrance to pursue your dreams,” Analiza said.

The family’s secret to success is hard work.Through hardwork and their enhanced craft, family members were not only able to enjoy quality life, they were also able to share their craft to other people in the community. Through their endeavour, the practice of treasured weaving tradition could be passed on to generations to come, prospering the art of the B’laan Indigenous community in the process.

The Geverola family continues to aspire greater dreams, such as building its own space for production of nito-woven materials and at the same time, use the space to display their products. “All of these dreams are possible, through resourcefulness and diligence. Our family has proven through our experiences that we can achieve success if we work harder together,” the couple declared. (DSWD)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development XI (DSWD) Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) was recently awarded Level 3 Accreditation by DSWD Central Office, having satisfactorily complied with the 3^rd Level Standards in the implementation of Residential-Based Programs and Services for Children, in compliance with the provision of Section 23, Republic Act 4373, “An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the Philippines and for Other Purposes”. The accreditation is valid for five (5) years unless suspended or revoked before its expiration. (DSWD)

Davao City (DSWD XI) – The Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was recently confirmed its 100% attainment of Level 3 Exemplary Indicators following a monitoring visit from DSWD Standards Bureau of DSWD Central Office.

The monitoring focused on the center’s operation and performance relative to Administration and Organization, Program Management, Case Management, Helping Strategies, and Physical Structure and Safety.

RSCC is a residential care facility for neglected, abandoned, dependent and surrendered children at ages 0 to 6 years old needing alternative family care. It is located at Friendship Rd., J.P. Laurel Ave. (back of SPMC).

It is managed by 23 staffs such as social workers, medical doctor, nurse and psychologist, as well as 26 house parents or care givers. RSCC is currently serving some 40 children.

With this highest level of accreditation on hand, RSCC is geared up to sustain provision of quality service to the children under its care.

Earlier, DSWD XI’s Home for Girls and Women in Maa, Davao City and Home for the Aged in Tagum City, were also awarded Level 3 Accreditation Certificate. (DSWD)

STO. TOMAS, Davao Del Norte (DSWD XI)- “We believe it is our destiny as a couple to be good servants and good leaders to the people in the church and the community,”couple Venice Dajao Toyungan and Rodelyn Bintas-Toyungan representing the lumads of Barangay Talomo here, proudly expressed.

Recently proclaimed Davao Del Norte Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya, the Toyungan family had its own share of trials and hardships but persisted through their strong faith in God.

Towards a better life

Venice Toyungan belongs to the Mandaya tribe, considered to be among the lower class in terms of living conditions. Since his parents did not have the means to support their children’s educational needs, Venice sought ways to realize his dreams. He worked and studied at the same time, until he was able to graduate high school.

His excellent leadership skills had already been evident during his high school years. He was elected as Battalion Commander and was consistently elected as classroom president. Rodelyn also hails from a poor family. Her father was a mananggiti (tuba harvester), the family’s only source of income.

Venice and Rodelyn met through a Youth Fellowship event in their barangay. She was a worship leader in an evangelical church. Rodelyn is very passionate in serving God and the church –a quality that was greatly admired by Venice.

Since then, their relationship has flourished through their faith. Because of his new-found partner and purpose in life, he committed himself to work towards having a better future. Thus, Venice decided to pursue his college education. In the meantime, Rodelyn decided to find job opportunities in Manila to support her family.

Through diligence and by the grace of God, in the 30^th of March 2005, Venice finished Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, Major in Mathematics and cited with an academic special award and also Best in Student Teaching.

He was able to pursue his endeavors as grantee of the Provincial Indigenous Peoples and Muslims Scholarship Grants (PIPMSG). Rodelyn was also a big part of his success. She supported Venice financially through providing him monthly allowances. After he graduated, he was hired as part-time instructor at ACES Tagum College, Mankilam, Tagum City. Seeing that everything seemed to be in place, they decided to get married.

Family trials, triumphs

“But little did I know that life is going to be harder once we started our own family. We were blessed with two sons, Kent Venice and Kyle Venice. I stopped working as part-time instructor because my salary was not enough to sustain our daily needs. We experienced several financial struggles. I had to work in the rice fields, planted and harvested rice, while my wife was in charge of “hagdaw” or the gathering of grains left behind by reapers after the harvest. I also tried working as banana laborer to provide more for my family,” Venice recalled.

In spite of the great obstacles, their faith in God did not dwindle. The couple was called to serve God’s ministry and went on to preach the word of God in the 18 barangays of their town. In 2013, both Venice and Rodelyn were installed as Host Pastors at New Bantayan, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. “We, as a family and as servants of the Lord, are greatly inspired by the Bible verse, Numbers 14:8 -If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey and will give it to us,”Venice shared.

The couple served the community well. Venice was chosen as Purok Chair, founder of Helping Hands organization, chair of Tribal Association, and chair of the School Government Council of Talomo Elementary School. While Rodelyn was also chosen as Indigenous Peoples (IP) Chair for Women, and facilitated free Mass Baptism for Roman Catholics with almost 400 delegates at Barracks, Tagum City in July 2014. On top of all these, she actively participates in every event in the barangay including Araw celebrations, IP Day, and Nutrition Month celebration.

MCCT-IP

“A big blessing was poured out to us when we were qualified as beneficiary of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous Peoples (MCCT-IP) in November 2014. The program gave us glorious hope; it provides better education for our children, and security towards good health and good future for our family,” Rodelyn said.

Both of Toyungan sons are attending school. Part of the program is to sustain school supplies, rice subsidy and school fees of the children.

As grantees, they actively attend Family Development Sessions (FDS) and learn many things for family welfare like backyard gardening, regular health check-up, and were enlightened on different laws such as children’s rights, Violence Against Women & their children (VAWC), Gender and Development (GAD), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and many more.

“Through this program we have been blessed, and our lives have never been better,” Rodelyn expressed.

Kent and Kyle are also constantly showing exemplary performance in every school activity. The eldest son was also consistent First Honor in his class from Grade 1 to Grade 6. He also received an award as Healthy Kid during nutrition month celebration and was recognized as Dancer and Singer of the Year. Kent was elected as classroom president and became a representative for Math Quiz Bee, in both District and Division levels.

“Because of the MCCT-IP program, there have been better changes in terms of our way of living. We have a better home now. We have also been able to help more people who are asking for assistance and those seeking for spiritual advice,” Venice said.

“We are really happy to serve God and His people. We are grateful for programs like the MCCT-IP that allowed us to do better in serving the community. I hope there will always be government interventions like this because it helps a lot of poor people in the Philippines. Many have already benefited and more will still be helped through this,” Rodelyn attested.

Presently, Venice is serving as Pastor in Panacan Christian Church of God, Inc., at New Bantayan, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. He is also serving the people as Barangay Kagawad of Barangay Talomo. Rodelyn continues to serve her community through the groups she actively involves in. Together, they never falter in being supportive and loving parents to their children.

The life story of the Toyungan family teaches the community that strong faith and hard work make a difference. “It is our choice what to do with the blessing that was bestowed upon us. Indeed, like the Bible passage that we live by -The Lord was pleased with their great service, and He had given their family an esteemed success and prosperity,” Venice and Rodelyn stressed.

Toyungan family is one of the 254,843 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Davao Region.  (DSWD)

Davao City -The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Region XI hosted the 13^TH ICT Management Service Workshop from August 5-9, 2019 at Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Sta. Ana, Davao City.  

Labeled as one of the World’s Top 100 Cities on Digital Transformation in Public Safety, Disaster Resiliency, Quality of Life and Infrastructure in 2018, Davao City was chosen as the venue for the workshop.

ICTMS annually gathers the Department’s Information Technology (IT) officers and staffs across the DSWD Enterprise, noting the high and low points of ICT operations and showcasing best practices in the Central Office as well as in Regional Offices.

There were 75 attendees for this workshop who came from the different regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The second day of the activity was the start of the workshop proper wherein participants were welcomed by the challenging message from Assistant Secretary Jose Antonio R. Hernandez, followed by the welcome message of DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat. Afterwards, ICTMS Director, Andrew J. Ambubuyog, presented the objectives and overview of the workshop. 

Participants were oriented on the different ICT products, and on the innovations implemented by the city government through its different departments. (DSWD)

SOCIAL PENSION PAYOUT. Eligible senior citizens of poblacion Davao City claim their 2019 social pension of Php 6000.00 at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office. To date, Davao Region has 254,526 potential social pensioners and 3.4 million throughout the country. Potential recipients are senior citizens (60 years old and above) who are frail, sickly, or have disabilities; not receiving pension from Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) or from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Mutual Benefit Assn.; and do not have a permanent source of income or regular support from family or relatives. (DSWD)

 (DSWD)