Parents play an important role in the SFP such that they do not only provide an extra hand but they are also educated on health and nutrition.

Cordillera Administrative Region- Around 43,120 children enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) or Day Care Centers in the region have availed of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here.

This is based on the report of the SFP Regional Management Office as of 21 May 2019. The number reflects children that were enrolled in various ECCD centers in the region who underwent 120 days of feeding which began in June 2018.

“In consonance with the Program’s mandate which is to improve and maintain the nutritional status of our children by providing augmentation support for feeding program and intensifying nutrition and health education, we have provided supplementary feeding to all children in the ECCD centers in our communities regardless of their economic and health status”, Director Janet P. Armas shared.

For the 8th cycle which runs from June 2018- March 2019, the Province of Benguet recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 9,016 children. This is followed by Abra with 8,684, Kalinga with 6,829, Ifugao with 6,095, Mt. Province with 4,756, Baguio City with 4,607 and Apayao with 3,133.

“We are expecting that this number will still increase since some of our partner local government units are yet to complete the implementation of the 8th cycle. We are also doing our best to make sure that the implementation of the 9th cycle will be smooth despite some changes involving the Program”, SFP Focal Person Eleonor Bugalin-Ayan shared.

For 2019, the local government units through their local social welfare and development offices (LSWDOs) will receive the goods for the feeding program. This is in support of DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista’s pronouncement that no funds shall be transferred to local government units in the implementation of DSWD programs and services. This is to safeguard the funds from possible corruption risks.

The 9th cycle, which is expected to commence on June 2019, is targeting to serve 42,999 children.

“We would like to ask for the continuous support and assistance of our stakeholders especially our counterparts in the local government units and the parents in the implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program. We acknowledge your contributions in the success of our effort to cater to the needs of our children. We hope that the meals we serve can help encourage our children to attend the early childhood care services provided by our LSWDOs”, Director Armas said.

For queries concerning the Program, the Management Office can be reached through +6374- 661-04-30 loc. 25027 or through sfp_focar@yahoo.com or https://www.facebook.com/dswdfocar. # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Cordillera Administrative Region- Despite the common hustle and bustle in the Crisis Intervention Section (CIS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR), Ate Marissa remains calm and committed.

With the mandate to handle requests for immediate assistance during crises situation, Ate Marissa can handle the situation while providing efficient and effective service to the clients of the CIS.

Best in what she does

Marissa Sabado Fortes has been in the Department for five (5) years now. As a Social Welfare Officer II under the CIS, she specializes in providing interventions to walk-in and referred clients in crisis such as financial, food, transportation, medical and burial assistance, psychosocial first aid, and other services.

To serve in the Crisis Intervention Section is a challenge. Every case is treated with utmost sensitivity and urgency. For them to provide the appropriate assistance, Social Workers conduct interviews, home/hospital/ jail visits, case counseling and case conference management. These are essential to gather collateral information for the preparation of social case study reports of clients. Aside from this, they also coordinate with local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and People’s Organizations (POs) and other agencies and institutions to facilitate the client’s cases. Social workers also need to accompany clients in some circumstances. On an average, the section handles around 30 to 50 clients a day.

But that does not stop Ate Marissa from providing the best service to her clients. This was affirmed when she was named as one of the two Best Social Worker Awardees during the DSWD Anniversary Celebration under the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).

Her dedication to fulfill her commitment to her profession goes beyond the regular functions inside the Section. She willingly shares her time augmenting to other programs needing her service such as assisting during Social Pension Program pay-outs, providing technical assistance during special events, and monitoring of communities under the provision of Assistance to Communities in Need in the region.

Her experience in handling persons with disability and adept knowledge in sign language and braille reading and writing has made her an expert on the said topics. This has made her more than eligible to handle clients with special needs. Aside from being a subject matter expert on this, Ate Marissa also serves as the alternate focal of the Regional AIDS Assistance Team where she coordinates with partner agencies to serve persons living with HIV referred to the DSWD.

She has exemplified the “maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo” of the DSWD by ensuring that she is able to provide holistic service to the clients she serve.

In DSWD-CAR, Ate Marissa is one of the personnel who often receive commendations from clients visiting the office.

“I am very satisfied with the help of Ms. Marissa for her immediate response on my concern. Keep up the quick response of their clients’ needs. Thank you very much,” said one of the clients she served.

Another client said “Ma’am Marissa agyaman kami. Mabilis ang pagasikaso yo kadakami. Adaan ti kastoy sakit me sapay koma pagpalain kayo ng Panginoon. Maraming salamat sa tulong. (Thank you Ma’am Marissa. You immediately assisted us. We are sick. May God bless you. Thank you for the help.)”.

“Naranasan ko kung gaano kahirap humingi ng tulong. Minsan nakakahiya. Nakikita ko yung sarili ko na dating ako yung tinutulungan, kaya ngayong ako ang binigyan ng pagkakataon na tumulong, ginagawa ko ang makakaya ko para makatulong sa kapwa. Masarap sa pakiramdam ang makatulong dahil ginagamit tayo ng Diyos as an instrument na makatulong sa iba”, Ate Marissa shared.

Strength from Others

Aside from being a dedicated public servant, Ate Marissa is also known for her positive outlook in life. From her smile, no one may guess the challenges she had to face as a daughter, wife, and mother.

“Noong bata ako, ayaw na akong pag-aralin ng mga magulang ko dahi babae naman daw ako at mag-aasawa rin. Kaya naman noong nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na maging scholar, I grabbed the opportunity.” Ate Marissa said. In 1998, Ate Marissa became a Registered Social Worker.

Shortly after, she became a wife and a mother. She was not exempted from the challenges of life but everything became more tolerable with her husband and children by her side. Even without her immediate family as she already lost her parents and sibling, she found comfort and love from her Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Concepcion family.

But on October 2018, Ate Marissa lost her husband due to aneurism. She was left with her three children, youngest of which is 7 years-old.

“Hinuhugot ko yung lakas ko sa mga anak ko. At acceptance is the key. Alam ko na God has a reason for everything. Siguro para maging malakas ako uli. Dahil din sa social worker ako, alam kong kaya ko kasi nakatutulong akong i-solve ang problema ng iba, sa sarili ko pa kaya”, she said.

“Malaking bagay din na nakikita kong nag-eexcel ang mga anak ko sa school. Sweet sila at very independent. Hindi ko sila prinoproblema”, Ate Marissa proudly shared.

Even with the trials, Ate Marissa remains to be fully committed to serve. “Kaya ako nag sisilbi sa client kasi utang na loob ko sa clients ang trabaho ko, kaya dapat laging pag-igihan ang pagsisilbi sakanila”, she said.

Ate Marissa is just one the Social Workers in the Department of Social Welfare and Development who have proven that no difficulty will stop them from serving with passion and excellence. She is a woman and a mother in charge of how she will make a difference in the life of her family and the community she is in. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Looking back, Cindy attributes her success in overcoming trials to her 3D formula-Dare, Dedication, and Determination.

Born and raised in an agricultural community in Sablan, 22-year old Cindy is a graduate of the Expanded Students’ Grant-in-Aid Program-Poverty Alleviation, an educational assistance for poor but deserving student who belongs to the indigent households of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The program was implemented by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the DSWD, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

As the eldest of nine (9) children, Cindy is the first-to go person and the caregiver of her younger siblings whenever their mother is not home. She ensures that her siblings eat well and go to school. Cindy’s dedication to her family has truly made her an example of an admirable sister.

Daring: Helping the Family to Survive

Cindy survived the tests of life. Her family lives a simple life through farming and other extra work in town to support the needs of the family. Back then, the family struggles especially in sending the children to school.

Cindy’s father, Necquel was a jeepney driver in a nearby town but had to leave and work overseas to provide enough support to the growing family.

Her mother Primitiva, on the other hand, maintains a small cutflower farm being a mother and a father at the same time. During weekends, Cindy with her siblings help in the farm where they cultivate different cut flowers to supplement the finances being provided by their father.

Dedication: Setting an example

Cindy faced many challenges in pursuing her studies. But instead of being discomforted with the situation, she remained dedicated to chasing her dream to become a guardian of the woodland. The strong support of her family is also her driving force.

Cindy shared, “kasapulak nga agbalin nga best example para kadagiyay kakabsat ko, nga uray nu ania karigat ti panagbiyag, kasapulan me nga ipalpas ti eskwela tapnu ma abot me ti goal me iti biyag. Ken importante metlang nga agbalin nga natibker ta saan nga maiwasan ti challenges kar karo iti panag eskwela (I need to be the best example to my siblings that despite the difficulties in life, we need to finish our studies to reach our goal in life. It is also important to be strong because challenges cannot be avoided especially in school).

Determination: Grabbing the Opportunity

Cindy’s family became a member of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in 2012. From then on, the program has become a big help for the family especially for the children’s needs in school.

With her strong determination to finish a degree, she was blessed to be one of the grantees of the ESGP-PA in 2015.

“Sakbay nga nainayonnak ijay scholarship ti DSWD, kasapulan me nga makipordiya ijay farm ti kaaruba me tapnu isupay nga pangsoposop ti kasapulan me ijay school (before I became a grantee of the DSWD, we needed to do labor work at our neighbors’ farm to augment our needs in school)” Cindy shared.

Aside from the cash grants that supported her studies, the program provided avenues for Cindy to understand and become aware on the different issues of the society like gender and development and financial literacy through the trainings and seminars that she participated as grantee.

Aside from her education, the program also benefited Cindy’s family. She saves some part of her monthly allowance for her family especially for her younger brothers and sisters.

She is grateful that through the ESGP-PA, her confidence and self-esteem were boosted. She was able to develop her interpersonal skills. In fact, Cindy was the team leader of her co-grantees in their college and she encouraged her teammates to accomplish on time all the required activities of the program.

“Malaksid ijay da trainings ken seminars nga inat attendaran me as part iti activities ti ESGAP PA, naikkan kami pay nga per college ti bassit nga farm nga imin-maintain me ijay asideg ti student center ti eskwelaan me. Ijay nga nabuild ti panag may maysa me as pantawid scholars, ken nabuild metlang ti teamwork ken camaraderie ti maysa ken maysa kadakami (Apart from the trainings and seminars we participated as part of the program, we were given a small farm to maintain near the student center of our school, and through that, we were able to build solidarity, teamwork and camaraderie among our co-grantees of the pantawid pamilya program), Cindy shared.

Living the dream

After years of struggles in pursuing her studies, Cindy’s determination paid off. She now holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the Benguet State University (BSU).

After passing the Forester Licensure Examination, she was hired as Forester I at the Watershed and Water Resources Research Center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Cordillera for three (3) months. This opportunity enriched her knowledge and skills in her profession. Also, she was able to help meet the financial needs of the family especially in sending her younger siblings to school. Her work however as field validator of bamboo plantation in CAR, Region I, and II requires to leave her family most of the time. Nevertheless, whenever possible, she still spends quality time with her family.

With her desire to enhance her knowledge and capacity, she is now a research assistant in a joint research and development project of BSU, University of the Philippines (UP), Baguio and Saint Louis University on popularizing access to biodiversity, information data, and conservation opportunities. She is planning to continue her Master’s Degree in Forestry in UP Baguio and hopes for the scholarship program she applied for at the Department of Science and Technology.

Despite the challenges her family has experienced, Cindy’s victory is a fruit of her strong determination and dedication with the help of the ESGP-PA. She was dared but she survived to live and be what she is now. She continuously motivates her younger siblings by being an inspiration to them as she provides care and financial assistance for their schooling. She hopes that one day, her siblings will live the life they aspired to be with her 3D formula. Cindy always encourages her younger siblings with her motto reach for the stars above, but always put your feet on the ground.” //MARLO C. ABYADO, Jr., Pantawid Pamilya, Information Officer II

The community members of Barlig, Mountain Province ensured that they will take part in the Municipal Talakayan conducted by the LGU. The Municipal Talakayan is a concept introduced by Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP.

In an effort to strengthen participation and transparency among its citizenry, the municipal local government unit (MLGU) of Barlig in Mountain Province has consistently conducted a multi-stakeholder municipal-wide dialogue. For the third time, the municipality has spearheaded the conduct of Municipal Talakayan on April 16, 2019.

Themed in their local language as “Ammay ay Barlig! Mun-aapatan chi umili” (Better Barlig! A dialogue among the people), the activity was highlighted by a focused group discussion with community volunteers, civil society organizations, barangay officials, and municipal officials and employees on the development status, interventions, and plans of the municipality.

Each group were asked on their satisfaction and feedback on the services provided to them or their communities. Overall, their responses ranged from satisfied to very satisfied. However, they also articulated that the MLGU should strategize on the schedules of project implementation to avoid delays.
The participants also recommended that the MLGU should improve their agriculture services to include fisheries and livestock raising.

Moreover, the dialogue featured galleries that presented different services and programs provided and conducted by each office in the MLGU. Participants were oriented on the activities and processes of availing services from each office during the gallery tour.

Barlig Mayor Genesis Changilan who discussed the municipal development agenda said that the Municipal Talakayan provides a venue to review and revisit the needs of the town’s constituents. “With this activity, we look into the identified needs of our community rather than just blindly identifying infrastructures as solutions to problems,” he said in vernacular.

Earlier in September 2018, the municipality of Barlig issued a resolution requiring all barangay local government units to conduct a participatory situational analysis (PSA) together with community volunteers, to determine the development needs of each barangay. The result of the analysis was then incorporated in the annual investment plan and to the municipal development plan.

The PSA is a strategy introduced by the DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS for target communities to be able to determine solutions for their development needs. During the PSA, community volunteers and barangay officials participate in a workshop to identify their community problems and its possible solutions

The mayor also presented the programs of his administration that mainly bannered social services. He said that these services catered to the health, education and well-being of his people from birth to death regardless of their economic status.

Meanwhile, result of perception survey on local governance, poverty reduction and people empowerment conducted in 2016, 2017 and 2019 was presented. In terms of poverty reduction, one of the results showed that there is now enough educational facilities in the barangay compared in 2016 and 2017.

However, the survey also showed that respondents disagreed when asked if their barangay has adequate roads that can be accessed by public vehicles.
Results of people empowerment survey showed that communities including women were consistently involved in the implementation of projects and programs.

The Municipal Talakayan is a multi-stakeholder dialogue introduced by DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS to its partner communities. It aims to assess the level of development of a municipality as well as to enhance the awareness and understanding of stakeholders on local development and governance. It is being conducted annually in selected municipalities in partnership with the local government units.

The municipality of Barlig has been implementing DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS since 2014. As of the latest record, they have completed a total of 11 basic infrastructures worth 11, 319, 629.15. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Jasmin P. Kiaso

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here would like to call on the following applicants for possible employment under the Social Pension Program:

1. Bernadeth P.Sabo
2. Oliver Belting
3. Fronda A.Laoyan
4. Olivia B.Libag
5. Velor Tonged
6. Letty Suidta
7. Ronaliza Pamittan
8. Kheryl Discong
9. Flor Alagao
10. Albert Bello
11. Alex Taa
12. Diana Rose Moises
13. Charina Mae Moises
14. Chiyen Calangan
15. Jennifer Dave
16. Maricel Sebastian
17. April Sebastian
18. Julie Ann Banigan
19. Rhoda Benzon
20. Mharjay Baqueneza
21. Almanie Bonilla
22. Lette Baldivapong
23. Angelica Sebastian
24. Joshua Brillantes
25. Emalyn Viernes
26. Clarence Batoon
27. Jill Alcaide
28. Evelyn Bulaya
29. Cristopher Cabarrubias
30. Crisfhel Talledo
31. TitoTuralba
32. Amie Paran
33. Mercedez Caroncon
34. Ranie Guiner
35. Crislyn Wellie
36. Janver Wasit
37. Odilon Andres
38. Jhone Patrick Carpio
39. Maricel B.Libwatan
40. Terisa Sabas
41. Cleofredo Samuel
42. Mhicel Balacay
43. Jornalyn Delico
44. Mayjoy Jasmin
45. Paz Molina
46. Conie Baldasan
47. Leonila Anbance
48. Elma Remollo
49. Robi Natalac
50. Veronica Tacuboy
51. Jane Timama
52. Marlyn Fernandez
53. Jeomar Vicente

The aforementioned individuals are requested to appear at DSWD-CAR at #40 North Drive, Baguio City on 29 April 2019 8 AM onwards for interview and other employment requirements. Successful applicants will be immediately deployed in areas covered for the validation of the Social Pension Program.

Queries regarding this can be directed to https://www.facebook.com/dswdfocar, (074) 446-59-61 or 444-32-62.#DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva     

La Trinidad, Benguet – One hundred forty five (145) student beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program participated in the first school-based Youth Development Session (YDS) and camp at the Benguet National High School-Main, La Trinidad, Benguet on March 29-31.

With the theme “Millennial Legends: Empowering Youth for a Better Tomorrow,” the YDS is a modular session for the Pantawid Pamilya highschool beneficiaries that aims to motivate the students to finish their education. Students undergo sessions that enhance their life skills and knowledge to help them cope with challenges as adolescents.

“We are hopeful that the different activities during the three-day camp inspired and empowered our student beneficiaries”, said Orlyn Hangdaan, Social Welfare Officer, DSWD-CAR.

Topics discussed during the three-day activity included the Role of Youth in the Community, Family Foundation, Understanding True Love, Mental Health Awareness/Stress and Anger Management, Life of an Adolescent, Career Pathing, Critical Decision Making, and Moral Recovery.

“We are expecting that after this activity, the delegates will realize the importance of family… because one of the attributors why students fail in school is family issues. We try to let them understand why such issues are happening in the family. We need to motivate these students how to survive intricate situations like stress, anger, and depression. Also, we want to educate these students on teenage pregnancy and premarital sex as one of the prevailing issues of the youth today,” said Police Corporal Joshua Daligan of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 15.

Evelyn Cayat, a Grade 12 student, shared “nabuild ti camaraderie ken unity me through diyay team building activities..ken naadal me met ti ikasta nga ag set ti goals para iti future mi. Nafeel ken naappreciate mi dagiyay presence ken sacrifices ti resource speakers, guardians me ken dagiyay amin nga nag conduct ditoy mga activity (Our camaraderie and unity was built through the team building activities. We also learned how to set goals for our future. We also felt and we appreciate the presence and sacrifices of the resource speakers, guardians, and all those who conducted this activity).”

The YDS is a joint activity of the DSWD, RMFB 15 of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR), Department of Education (DepEd), Local Government Unit- La Trinidad, and Benguet National High School. A Memorandum of Agreement was forged last September 2018 to formalize the YDS partnership between RMFB-PROCOR, DepEd, and DSWD.

Implemented by the DSWD, Pantawid Pamilya also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer Program in the Philippines monitors children 0-18 years old. The household beneficiaries receive Php300 and Php500 cash grants if student beneficiaries have at least 85% monthly school attendance in elementary and high school. Although the YDS is not a program condition to receive the cash grant, the activity is implemented to guide and develop the youth beneficiaries to be responsible and productive members of their family and the community.

Meanwhile, the program currently monitors 65, 217 high school students in the Cordillera. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Marlo Abyado

Cordillera Administrative Region – The Department of Social Welfare and Development here reminded its beneficiaries against the use of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and other programs this campaign period.

DSWD Dir. Janet Armas said that the DSWD has been conducting information dissemination through its monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) to combat fake news that may manipulate partner beneficiaries and use Pantawid Pamilya for political advancement.

“Voters’ Education and the electoral process are among the topics discussed during the FDS…this is one way of ensuring that partner beneficiaries are educated and are empowered to freely choose whom they want to vote,” she added.

Meanwhile, Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program Coordinator Fatima Florendo stressed that the selection of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries is based on the Department’s list of poor as assessed through a uniform and objective process. She further said that adding and delisting of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries is solely done by the DSWD through its grievance redress system.

“We encourage everyone, especially our partner beneficiaries, to report any case that involve the use of the 4Ps and other DSWD programs for election campaign. The DSWD remains to be committed in delivering serbisyo na walang puwang sa katiwalian,” Director Armas said.

Concerns can be directed to (074) 444-3262 or www.facebook.com/dswdfocar or through Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Grievance hotline +63918-912-2813 or www.facebook.com/4pscar/.

The Pantawid Pamilya, commonly known as 4Ps, is the Philippines’ Conditional Cash Transfer, which gives cash and non-cash incentives to its beneficiaries in exchange of verifiable conditions on health, nutrition, and education. ### jebescalante

Cordillera Administrative Region-The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here continues to encourage all local government units (LGUs) of the region to adopt the Yakap Bayan Framework in providing interventions to drug surrenderers. Since 2016, the DSWD is in close coordination with various line agencies and LGUs to ensure that the main thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte to eradicate illegal drugs and illegal-drug related activities is realized.

In 29 November 2016, the DSWD-CAR, as the lead agency for Pillar III, convened the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) composed of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Administration, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine National Police.

After a series of consultation-dialogues to address the illegal drug problem in the region, the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council (CRPOC) approved a resolution urging all local government units in CAR to adopt the Yakap Bayan Framework. The said resolution that was approved on 15 November 2017 was prior recommended by the Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) chaired by the DSWD.

The Yakap Bayan Framework of intervention is an off-shoot of the Ifugao Reflection Camp which is an indigenous rehabilitation model developed by the Province of Ifugao. It provides part center and part community-based rehabilitation for drug surrenderers. It ensures that culture is integrated into solutions and utilize available resources and programs in the locality. The Yakap Bayan Framework also aims to harmonize all existing government programs, projects, activities to provide a concrete and sustainable system of rehabilitation and continuum of care for former drug users and support measures for the strengthening of families and communities.
Under the Yakap Bayan Framework, drug surrenderers receive various interventions such as medical treatment and rehabilitation, psychosocial interventions, skills training, and leadership training.
The DSWD-CAR has provided assistance worth PhP 1,626,050.00 to 166 drug surrenderers and their families. This is through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Among the services provided under the SLP is the Community-Based Skills Training on Goat Raising in Kibungan, Benguet, Skills Training on Native Chicken Production cum Construction of Chicken Coop in Sagada, Mt. Province, Cash for Building Livelihood Asset for the Improvement of Sitio Bue to Wala farm to market road in Paracelis, Mt. Province, and livelihood assistance on Bee Keeping in Bontoc, Mt. Province, vegetable farming in Bauko, Mt. Province and hog raising in Danglas, Abra.

Meanwhile, the DSWD-CAR continues the advocacy of the Yakap Bayan Framework through the Technical Assistance Sessions being conducted in various municipalities in the region. As a result, the municipalities of Tuba and Bakun in Benguet and Luna in Apayao had already released a resolution and forged a Memorandum of Agreement with DSWD-CAR to replicate completed social technologies related to the prevention of drug abuse. Among the social technologies to be replicated are the Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program and the putting up of the Special Drug Education Center.

Aside from the Technical Assistance Sessions, the DSWD-CAR through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has also conducted a Training on Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad Program which is a relapse prevention module to 50 LGUs and 77 Municipal Links.

As of 1 April 2019, the DSWD-CAR through the Social Technology Unit and the Social Marketing Unit has conducted 13 Technical Assistance Sessions to M/BADAC members in the municipalities of Tuba, Bakun, Buguias, Tublay, Kibungan, and Kabayan in Benguet, Luna and Flora in Apayao, Dolores, Bucay ang Peñarubia in Abra and Bauko and Paracelis in Mt. Province.

Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation have also been provided to the Provincial/ Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council of various local government units (LGUs) for them to start their community-based rehabilitation services. These LGUs include the Province of Ifugao, municipalities of Bauko, Bontoc, Tadian, Natonin, Sadanga, Paracelis, and Sagada in Mt. Province, Baguio City, municipalities of Luna, Flora, Pudtol, Sta. Marcela, Kabugao, Calanasan, and Conner in the Province of Apayao, municipalities of Itogon, Kibungan, Tublay, Tuba, La Trinidad, Sablan, Atok, Buguias, Kabayan, Kapangan, and Bakun in Benguet Province, municipalities of Danglas, Manado, Bangued, Pilar, Penarubia, Langiden, Sallapadan, Licuan-Baay, San Quintin, San Isisdro, Bucay, Dolores, and Villaviciosa in Abra Province and the municipalities of Lubuagan, Tanudan, Rizal, Pasil, Balbalan and Tabuk City in Kalinga Province.

“The DSWD-CAR continues to intensify its advocacies to help in addressing the concerns related to the use and abuse of illegal drugs and activities related to this. We are doing our best to reach our communities through their Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (P/M/BADAC) and provide them with the information and knowledge that they could use for them to better address the illegal drug problem in their respective areas.” OIC-Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.# DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva