STONE CRAFTING. Engr. Edelberto Dela Peňa of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) demonstrates stone processing to 25 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries participating in the Skills Training on Stone Crafting and Processing held in Barangay Maputi, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. This is a joint project of the local government of San Isidro, DOST and DSWD which targets to access livelihood opportunities to Pantawid families. (DSWD)

TRAINING FOR LIVELIHOOD. Pantawid Pamilya Participants in the Skills Training on Stone Crafting and Processing held in Barangay Maputi, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. (DSWD)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is halfway through the assessment of 15,316,099 families for the updating of the poverty database otherwise known as the Listahanan or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are.

With the 2nd round of assessment for the Listahanan, DSWD expects to have an expanded and updated database on who and where the poor are by year-end. This will serve as basis for developing programs and services that are responsive to the needs of the poor. This will also serve as a tool in determining the potential beneficiaries of existing programs and services.

It may be recalled that in 2009, the DSWD conducted the first assessment which resulted to the identification of 5.2 million poor households out of the 10.9 million assessed.

These households have since become beneficiaries of government programs like the PhilHealth Indigent Program, and some 4.4 million households have also been enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Presently, 10,189,457 households have been assessed through the 2nd round.

The DSWD, under the Aquino administration, enforces Executive Order No. 867 series of 2010 which extends the mandate of using Listahanan to all national government agencies. This is done through a proactive data sharing and through continuously advocating the implementation of targeted social protection programs and services for the identified poor households. ###

As the flagship poverty alleviation program which invests in human development, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has expanded rapidly from 786,523 households in 2010, when the Aquino administration took the helm in government, to more than 4.4 million eligible households to date.

For 2014 alone, the government has poured in more than P48 billion for the cash grants of the beneficiaries.

On the other hand, for the first quarter of 2015, the program has been able to provide grants amounting to P9.2 billion to the active households.

According to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, the DSWD expanded the coverage of the program in 2014 to include the 15-18 age bracket to ensure that the children-beneficiaries will graduate from high school, and have a higher rate of employability.

High school beneficiaries receive a higher grant amount of P500/month.

In February 2015, the high school expansion registered 1.01 million 15 to 18-year old children nationwide. Of these, 252,276 are in grade school while 754,374 are in high school.

A total of 333,673 high school beneficiaries graduated in March 2015. Out of this number, 13,469 graduated with honors.

“The expansion of age coverage for the education grant gives them a fighting chance to move forward in life,” Sec. Soliman said.

She cited exemplary Pantawid beneficiaries who graduated with honors in March 2015, such as Alyanah Terite, the batch valedictorian of Pasay City Science High School; David Louie Manansala, valedictorian of Maligaya High School, Quezon City; Marlito Soriano, a Lumad from the B’laan tribe in General Santos City, South Cotabato who received a full scholarship at the Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States; and  Edy Rose Tayab, who despite her disability graduated as top nine (9) in her batch at Apayao National High School in Bukidnon.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study indicated that the expansion of Pantawid Pamilya significantly contributed to the increase in enrollment of pre-school and elementary students. As partner-beneficiaries, parents are required to send their 3-18 year old children to school, and they must attend at least 85 percent of the school days.

PIDS did the impact evaluation while the Social Weather Station (SWS) gathered data from Pantawid respondents.

The effectiveness of Pantawid Pamilya in transforming the lives of beneficiaries was verified by the results in the 2nd impact evaluation which are:

• The program keeps older children in school and reduces the number of days they have to work. 94% of Pantawid children attend classes 85% of the time, a stark difference from the low 55% of non-beneficiaries. Considering that the high school-aged cohort is when children are likely to drop-out of school, it is important to keep them in school. Therefore, though the data to be presented is not enough evidence to show that this will be the case in repeated samples, only 4% of Pantawid children aged 12 to 15 years old drop out of school as opposed to the 9% of non-Pantawid students. Furthermore, incidence of child labor (specifically in days worked in a month) for children aged 10 to 14 is lower by 6 days with program beneficiaries compared to non-Pantawid children.

• Pantawid Pamilya increases households’ investments in education. To be more specific, Pantawid households spent P206 more per school-aged child per year compared to non-beneficiaries on education-related items.

• Pantawid Pamilya increases mothers’ access to maternal care. 80% of Pantawid mothers had at least four (4) antenatal check-ups, close to the national average of 84% (National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 2013). Also, seven (7) in 10 live births in the last five (5) years by Pantawid mothers were delivered in a health facility, compared to the 5.5 in 10 among non-beneficiary mothers. Moreover, incidence of postnatal check-ups within 72 hours after birth by skilled health professionals is approximately 21% higher with Pantawid beneficiaries and such check-ups are done in health facilities 17% higher with Pantawid mothers.

• The program improves children’s health and access to healthcare services. 86% of Pantawid children between ages six (6) months and six (6) years received Vitamin A supplementation as opposed to 74% of non-beneficiaries. Similarly, 35% of beneficiaries received iron supplementation, compared to 23% of their counterparts. In addition, 19% of Pantawid children aged 0 to two (2) years old received preventive services in public health facilities as opposed to 12% of non-beneficiaries. Among children aged 2-5 years old, 49% Panta0wid beneficiaries visit health centers for bi-monthly weight monitoring, compared to the 25% of non-Pantawid children. Lastly, more Pantawid children aged 6-14 years old (78%) received deworming pills at least once a year compared to non-beneficiaries (69%).

• The program does not encourage dependency from its beneficiaries. There is no evidence that Pantawid Pamilya leads to dependency or decreased work effort among adults in beneficiary households. On the contrary, results indicate that among working-age household members who are employed and continue to look for additional work, the proportion is much higher of Pantawid beneficiaries with 17% as opposed to 11% for non-beneficiaries. In relation, the program negates dependency on “adult-specific goods” (i.e. alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc.), evident in the lack of statistically significant evidence to support claims that show otherwise.

• Pantawid Pamilya allows parents to aspire for better futures for their children. To put things in perspective, 74% of Pantawid parents have higher hopes for their children finishing college compared to 68% of non-beneficiaries. Also, about 87% of Pantawid parents expect their children to live a better life than themselves, compared to 81% of non-Pantawid parents. Lastly, self-assessed poverty status among Pantawid beneficiaries is 7 percentage points lower as opposed to non-beneficiaries.

• The program encourages the trial use of modern family planning. Findings show that among 15 to 49-year old women who gave birth in the last 5 years, 74% from Pantawid households indicated their use of any modern family planning method as opposed to 68% from non-Pantawid households. This was a result of the grantees attending Family Development Sessions (FDS) (as compliance to program conditionality) which include lectures on family planning.

The results of the impact evaluation released in 2014 shows that the program is on track and is achieving its objectives of keeping children healthy and in school, and in creating avenues for the poor to have improved quality of life. ###

Davao City -As partner in promoting transparency and accountability in governance, members of Davao Media will witness on Thursday the conduct of Listahanan survey wherein DSWD enumerators will be using tablet devices in filling out Family Assessment Forms (FAFs) as they interview families inside their homes.

Invited media will observe the DSWD Survey in Barangay 23-C (Isla Verde) and Barangay Matina Aplaya here.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Listahanan or Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailangan survey results will tell who are the poor and where are they located.

DSWD Listahanan aims to 1] Formulate a uniform set of criteria in identifying poor families in the country through scientific means, 2] Improve the design of social protection programs to maximize the benefit of the poor, 3] Minimize wastage of resources by ensuring that only those who are deserving benefit from social protection programs, and 4] Facilitate sharing of high-quality database to public and private social protection stakeholders.

“The use of tablet devices as a data gathering tool expedites the assessment process. By using tablets, accomplished electronic family assessment forms can be automatically synchronized directly to the server,” Regional Director Priscilla N. Razon of DSWD said.

This assessment will update the database of poor households that was generated during the 2009 assessment. It can be recalled that DSWD had identified some 5.2 million poor households nationwide of which 547,775 came from Davao Region, Director Razon pointed out.

Moreover, according to Director Razon, the Listahanan second assessment will provide a more relevant database of poor families that will serve as potential beneficiaries of social protection programs of National Government agencies (NGAs), Local government units (LGUs), non-government agencies (NGOs) and other stakeholders.

To date, Region XI has already assessed 578,911 households and encoded 487,363. (DSWD)

Davao City – In its continuing effort of enhancing professional competence to be able to best provide the needs of the disadvantaged populace, the Davao City Chapter of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI) holds its Annual General Assembly and Election of Officers on July 30 at the 8^th Flr, Xavier Bldg., Ateneo de Davao University.

PASWI Davao President and DSWD Chief for Policy and Plans Division Estrella D. Brigole said the assembly will bring together Davao City-based social workers from various sectors such as National Government, Non-Government, Local Government Unit, Academe, Medical, Industry as well as private practitioners.

The theme for this year’s gathering is “Promoting the Dignity and Worth of People: Readiness, Opportunities and Challenges”, Brigole said.

PASWI is the only accredited professional organization of social workers in the whole Philippines. With over 100 members who are all registered professional social workers, PASWI-Davao will also co-host in September the Mindanao Regional Convention of Social Workers, Brigole added.

The organization is focused in promoting the cause of the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized sectors of society and enhancing the knowledge and skills of the social work professionals.

Past projects of PASWI-Davao include Fun Run For-A-Cause, skills enhancement seminars on Compassion Fatigue and Personality Enhancement, annual celebration of the World Social Work Day, annual conduct of General Assembly, and annual hosting of the Oath Taking Ceremony for the Passers of the Social Work Licensure Examination.

Other PASWI-Davao officers are Melba L. Manapol (Vice President); Samuel Marlixandro Eblamo (Secretary); Teresita A. Pioncio (Treasurer); Rodrigo O. Roble Jr. (Auditor); Norman B. Baloro (Public Relations Officer); and Jacqueline Cecil P. Larena, Kristofferson Morales, and Ma. Lourdes Fe F. Tiangco (Board of Directors). (DSWD)

DAVAO ORIENTAL, July 27, 2015 – Some 1,010 housing beneficiaries in the typhoon Pablo-hit towns of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, and Caraga recently received certificate of occupancy to their new homes during the latest round of housing turn over here.

Implemented under the Modified Shelter Assistance Program (MSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Provincial Government, this massive housing project holds the promise of returning people quickly to their normal lives after the unprecedented disaster which laid waste their towns in 2012.

At the ceremonial turn over, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon underscored the provincial government’s efforts in pushing for the housing program to become the national government’s first priority among all the lined up rehabilitation programs for typhoon Pablo victims. “For as long as typhoon victims are not settled in the security of their own homes, all other efforts in rehabilitation will become futile,” she said saying victims could not give their full attention to their works and livelihoods while worrying for a place where their family can stay.

She further said that these new homes symbolize security and help motivate typhoon victims to develop by focusing on their work even more.

This latest batch of turned over housing units is part of the huge scale permanent housing project that aims the construction of permanent shelters intended for a total target of 19,880 households whose homes were totally damaged. MSAP’s implementation tapped funds from the DSWD while the site development for resettlement sites as well as the management of the program is carried out by the provincial government.

Under the MSAP, around 17,420 permanent housing units have already been implemented and turned over to the housing beneficiaries since 2013.

With only about 2,000 houses more to go in order to reach the total target in all the four affected towns, the provincial government assures to complete and turn over the remaining houses before the year ends.

Gemma dela Cruz, DSWD Provincial Coordinator, recognized the agency’s strong partnership with the provincial government saying that without its support it would be difficult for DSWD to realize this huge task.

Typhoon victims here may have lost their houses but they say they remain hopeful and resilient, especially because they see the government, particularly the provincial government’s efforts and commitment to rebuild their lives.

With these newly built houses, they are now able to start life anew in the safety and comforts of their new homes. “I am very happy and my family is excited to move to our new house,” said one beneficiary in Cateel.

While these houses are built for free by the government, Governor Malanyaon emphasized beneficiaries have also their fair share of responsibilities to complement efforts of the government.

She pointed out that beneficiaries should take good care of these new homes as these will be handed down to their children and grandchildren.

“These homes and lots where these houses are built are given for free. We only ask of you to complement the government’s efforts by taking your part on responsible ownership,” she told beneficiaries. (PIO Davao Oriental)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is insulated from partisan politics and strongly opposes any act that would use it to advance the political agenda or interest of certain groups or individuals.

This came following reports about incidents that occurred during the pay-out activities of cash grants this month. In some regions, the beneficiaries were made to believe that the cash grants they were receiving were bonuses from a politician who has announced his plan to run for an elective position in the 2016 national elections.

“The DSWD always ensures that the Pantawid Pamilya is protected from undue politicking and must remain free of political influence and manipulation, and that the rights of the program-beneficiaries are safeguarded,” DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

The DSWD also learned that the beneficiaries were allegedly threatened that the implementation of the program will not be continued if they will not vote for the politician.

“This is not true and is just a desperate move of some political personalities who are attempting to use the program for their political advancement,” Sec. Soliman said.

DSWD emphasized that it is steadfast in safeguarding the non-partisan stand of Pantawid Pamilya and its beneficiaries, and that it supports free and honest elections.

“Also, through our Family Development Sessions and previous campaigns, our beneficiaries are aware that the grants they received came from the national government, and even the process of their selection into the program was based solely from the targeting system called Listahanan and therefore is not subject to any political influence or decision,” Sec. Soliman further explained.

DSWD encourages the public to be more vigilant and also enjoins the general public to report politicians claiming credit from the program or such activities that aim to discredit the integrity of Pantawid Pamilya.

The public may file their complaints through the Grievance Text Hotline 09189122813or via social media (facebook/ twitter: Tanggapan ng Reklamo), or they can visit the nearest DSWD Regional Office or their Pantawid Municipal or City Links. (DSWD)