Two Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) partners have formalized their partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) in helping Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

Through Memorandum of Agreement with the DSWD-CAR, the Kapangan United Christian Ministers Association, Inc. (KUCMAI) and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (FPOP) will be conducting Family Development Sessions (FDS) in Baguio City and Benguet.

The FDS serves as a venue where topics such as effective parenting, family relationships, child development, gender and development and home management are being discussed. Attendance in the FDS is also part of the conditionalities of the Pantawid Pamilya to receive cash grants.

KUCMAI President Pastor Rodolfo Palaez said that their organization has already been conducting FDS for almost a year now. With the MOA, the partnership of KUCMAI with the DSWD was now formalized. Palaez shared that the manual used for FDS has also helped him be more knowledgeable and equipped in conducting FDS which he shares to his fellow pastors.

Meanwhile, the FPOP Chapter Program Manager Aida Gonzales said that they have always wanted to partner with the DSWD as part of their advocacy on youth development and responsible parenthood. Gonzales added that the FPOP plans to conduct youth summits to enhance the skills of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet Armas said that the CSO may also be resource speakers for Youth Development Sessions of student grantees of the Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aide Program for Poverty Reduction (ESGP-PA) as well as counselors for grantees who need assistance in settling into the schedule and lifestyle of college life.

The DSWD has been partnering with CSOs, non-government organizations, and people’s organizations in the implementation of FDS in recognition with their role and in complementation of services in addressing the needs of poor households thus for better implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya.

For the month of September and October 2014, the compliance rate of beneficiaries in Baguio City is only 75%, while in Benguet, the compliance rate is 92.19%.

“To encourage participation of the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, the DSWD has been partnering not only with CSOs, but also with non-government organizations and people’s organizations in the implementation of FDS because we recognized their role in addressing the needs of our beneficiaries and in complementation of other different programs with the Pantawid Pamilya,” Regional Program Coordinator Cecile Aguilan-Basawil said.

At present, there are already 49 CSOs in partnership with the DSWD-CAR for the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the region. # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Kaye Ann O. Mapalo and June Dominique C. Catalan