To respond to a number of children and youth beneficiaries not attending school (NAS), the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Program Management Office (NPMO) created a series of modules to be used during the 4Ps households’ Family Development Sessions (FDS).

Module 7, focusing on the topic of disability, was assigned for pretesting in Davao Region.

The pretesting team was composed of the Deputy Program Manager for Support, Director Alexandra Marla Y. Montejo-Tipay; Chief of the Capability-Building Division, Rosylyn Arnigo; Chief of the 4Ps Division in Davao Region, Margie Cabido; and Regional FDS Specialist, Evangeline Grandeza.

In coordination with the Provincial Link of Davao City, Ruel A. Lagulao, the pretesting activities were conducted in Barangays 23-C, Communal, and Mahayag and participated by 4Ps parents and youth leaders, grantees, and program implementers.

“Maganda ang module na ito at talagang makakatulong sa ating mga NAS na differently-abled. Isa ako sa mga gumawa at inspirasyon ko ang aking kapatid na may down syndrome (This module appears to be very helpful to our NAS children who are also differently-abled. In creating this, I was inspired by my sibling who has down syndrome),” said Chief Arnigo.

While Director Montejo-Tipay reflected that pandemic is not the only reason why beneficiaries are tagged as NAS.

“Sa atoang pagtuki, daghan’g contributing factors gyud diay kining NAS. Dako og impact ang Module 7 aron ma-empower ang differently-abled nato nga kabataan apil ang ilahang parents ug ang komunidad (In our research, a lot of factors contribute to our children not attending school. I believe this module will have a great impact in empowering our differently-abled children and youth, their parents, and the society),” she added.

After the pretesting phase, an enhancement and revision will be made to the module, taking into consideration the feedback gathered from the field. Once finalized, a training of trainers will be conducted for the implementers’ guidance.