Cordillera Administrative Region– Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman has emphasized the importance of partnership and participation towards the achievement of the Government’s goal to eradicate poverty in the country which was reiterated during her recent visit in the region.
“Our efforts all lead towards improving the well-being of our communities because by doing such we do not only provide them economic opportunities but we empower them to identify and address the risks that they may encounter. Aside from addressing poverty it is also the best way to prepare them from disasters. We can do this by ensuring that our programs and services in the Government are well converged to address their needs and to give them activities to attain it’, Secretary Soliman said.
Secretary Soliman also recognized the important role that the communities play towards the achievement of the goal. “It is not enough that the Government provides the interventions, but what is more important is the willpower of the communities towards improving their status and we are here to facilitate this”, Soliman added.
During her stay, Secretary Soliman visited Tuba, Benguet where she turned-over capital seed fund worth Php 889,400 to 10 Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran Associations (SKA) in the municipality. The SKAs are composed of 93 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries and are also participants for the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD. The recipients proposed their livelihood projects through the Grass Roots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP). Among the recipients of the seed fund is Pantawid Parent Leader Divina Avelino of Brgy. Taloy Norte, Tuba, Benguet.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa programa na nagpahiram saamin. Sisikapin kong mapalago ang ipinahiram saamin para mapabuti ang aking pamilya”, Divina shared.
Divina proposed to use the fund for starting her own baking business. “Meron po akong anak na marunong sa basic baking dahil may subject sya na culinary mam. Agtinulong kami ditoy (We will be helping each other).”, she added.
Divina has high hopes that her home made pandesal and banana cakes will be the start of a better future for her family. “ Kaya kong magsikap at pagbutihin pa ang pagbabake para sa pamilya ko,”, Divina said.
On the other hand, DSWD-CAR is currently working with 57 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the region focusing on the implementation and monitoring of the Family Development Sessions for the Pantawid Program and SLP.
“We, in the Field Office, have always exerted our best effort to tighten our relationship with our partners because we recognize their great role towards the achievement of our goals.” OIC- Regional Director Janet Armas shared.
DSWD-CAR has recently conducted a Strategic Planning and Benchmarking Workshop with its partner CSOs to keep up with its commitment in further enhancing its affiliation with its partners. # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT
