DSWD-CAR together with the representatives of the BBCCC in the beginning of their journey towards helping Cordillera communities

Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office CAR and the Baguio-Benguet Community Credit Cooperative (BBCCC) signed an agreement to formally collaborate in providing basic services to selected areas in the region.

This has been the result of the convergent efforts of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya).

Representatives of the Board of Directors (BOD) and Officers of BBCCC and program heads of DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS and Pantawid Pamilyang, the signing of MOA on 21 November 2018 signified the start of a promising partnership to build community projects to answer the development needs of selected poor barangays.

“Through the results of the Pantawid Pamilya supplies side assessment, we were able to identify the gaps that needed interventions. This reached the BBCCC and they decided to assist us through their corporate social responsibility”, Pantawid Pamilya Regional Progam Coordinator Fatima Florendo shared.

Thus, both parties agreed to partner in conducting medical and dental missions, and providing medical supplies or equipment to health centers and reading materials to schools.

To seal the partnership, the BBCCC BOD considered to fund medical equipment needed at the Barangay Health Center of Kinama, Rizal, Kalinga. The equipment include medicine refrigerator, cooler for medicine, weighing scales, Fetal Doppler, BP apparatus and others which amounts to around PhP 309,000.00.

BBCCC Chair Oscar Adversalo remarked that the partnership is history in the making as it is the cooperative’s first partnership with a government entity. “We will start small, but we will surely move to a bigger project in the future,” he added.

DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS Program Manager Imelda Tuguinay expressed DSWD’s gratitude towards the cooperative for their interest and enthusiasm to provide services to the Department’s beneficiaries and clients. “The partnership is timely, specifically for Kalahi-CIDSS, as we have been working non-stop to look for funders of the priority projects identified by our target communities that didn’t make it to the cut of the program’s fund,” she added.

The partnership originally started through the information drive conducted by the BBCCC to the partner beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya. After engaging with some DSWD activities, the cooperative was able to recognize the possible collaboration between the organizations.  #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Jasmin Kiaso and Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Please be informed that for 2018 and previous years, the annual budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is computed based on the assumption that 90% of the partner beneficiaries will be able to comply with the program conditions and are entitled to cash grants.

For 2017 and 2018, the compliance rate increased from 90% to 95% resulting to budget deficit corresponding to the 5% increase.  The provision of rice assistance may have influenced the increased compliance to conditions including attendance to the Family Development Sessions, attendance to school, and visit to health centers.

To cover the additional fund needed for cash grants, the DSWD requested budget augmentation/additional appropriation from the Department of Budget and Management.

Rest assured that the Department of Social Welfare and Development is continually pursuing all avenues to augment the appropriation for the Pantawid Program to ensure complete provision of cash grants.

Thank you and we are hoping for your kind understanding on the matter.

Three undersecretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) have left their posts effective November 14, 2018.

Undersecretary for Protective Programs Mae Fe Templa and Undersecretary for Promotive Programs Maria Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe have vacated their posts following orders from Malacanang.

Both officials did not hesitate to step down from their posts as they are well aware that they serve at the pleasure of the President.

On the other hand, Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Hope Hervilla also stepped down after President Duterte had accepted her  resignation.

“Indeed, we all serve at the pleasure of the President. We assure the public that  the delivery of services will continue,” Assistant Sectary for the Office of the Secretary Glenda Relova said. ##

Ms. Jocelyn Widwidan conducts sessions to the parents of the children in the Child Development Center that she handles.

Cordillera Administrative Region– The Department of Social Welfare and Development here calls on the public to be more mindful in observing the rights of the children.

“Taking care and ensuring the welfare of every child is the responsibility of every member of our community. It is not just the parents or their relatives, but everyone who is around them”, OIC-DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.

This is further highlighted as this year’s theme for the Children’s Month celebration goes “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga para sa Lahat ng Bata”.

“Our children have their rights that we need to observe. These include their right to be protected against abuse, danger, and violence and for them to have a family that would take care of them.”, Director Armas said.

Meanwhile, Director Armas also encouraged the use of positive disciplining and parenting.

Positive disciplining is one of the latest strategies in rearing children which aims to let the children understand the consequences of their actions. This is in contrast to the common practice that is related to classical conditioning which involves punishment of undesirable actions or behaviors.

Ms. Jocelyn Widwidan, Child Development Worker for 14 years shared that by using positive disciplining, children in development centers become more participative and active.

“Instead na ma-trauma sila kapag napapagalitan sila, mas maigi ang positive disciplining dahil mas na-momotivate ang mga bata na mag-cooperate. Masaya sila sa pagpasok sa center. Mas maganda ang effect ng praise and affirmation sa mga bata instead of pagagalitan mo sila”, Widwidan shared.

Aside from using positive disciplining, parents of the children undergo Parent Effectiveness Sessions during their regular meetings.

“Nakikita ng parents na kung papaano sila kumilos ay nakakaapekto sa kanilang mga anak. Nakaka-relate sila sa mga sitwasyon at ito ay nakatutulong para mas mainitindihan nila ang kanilang mga anak.” Widwidan added.

The DSWD, in partnership with the members of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of the Children, looks into the implementation of the rights of the children. However, concerns involving children should be directed to the respective local social welfare and development offices in the local government units. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

No rock nor water can stop us from delivering our goods to the TY Rosita-affected communities in the region. Thanks to our partners who help us make things possible.
Photo from Paracelis MPS with Ms. Joan Gullunan

Cordillera Administrative Region– As of 3 November 2018, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has provided assistance amounting to PhP 2,072,364.25. Additional assistance worth PhP 684,200.20 came from the local government units, PhP 6,190.00 from non-government organizations and PhP 4,210.00 from other sources. A total of PhP 2,766,964.45 was given to families affected by Typhoon Rosita.

Aside from the family food packs and non-food relief items, the Department is also closely coordinating with the Local Government Units for the early recovery of the affected individuals.

“We are doing our best to provide the necessary interventions to our communities that have been affected by typhoon Rosita”, DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.

On 1 November 2018, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista together with Director Armas, DSWD Region II Director Leonardo Reynoso, other partners and stakeholders convened to create strategies to reach the communities that have been affected by the said typhoon.

“Due to the landslide, we have areas that were isolated. It is very difficult for us to reach the areas but with the assistance of our partners, relief items for these areas are already on the way”, Armas added.

3,000 family food packs will be provided to Natonin, Mountain Province. 1,000 family food packs will be delivered to Paracelis, Mountain Province. Additional 700 food packs have been requested for Brgy. Anonant in Paracelis.

A total of 22, 010 family food packs have been released by the Field Office to various municipalities which can be distributed to TY Rosita victims. Of which, 4,170 are provided to Benguet Province, 5,850 in Ifugao, 1,970 in Mountain Province, and 5,000 family food packs each for Abra and Kalinga.

As of 4 PM of 3 November 2018,The DSWD-CAR maintains a total of 31,060 Family Food Packs (FFPs) are available at DSWD-CAR Warehouse, Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet, amounting to  PhP 11,200,431.35; and Food and Non-food Items (FNIs) amounting to PhP 32,943,454.38.

The DSWD-CAR has provided PhP 481,512.50 worth of assistance to the province, 401,015.25 to Benguet, PhP 284,812.00 to Abra PhP 192,258.00 to Apayao, PhP 162,574.50 to Ifugao and PhP 545,592.00 to Kalinga.

Meanwhile, the DSWD will also provide PhP 5,000.00 financial assistance to the families of the individuals affected by the landslide in Natonin. This will be in addition to the burial assistance that will cover the funeral service of the casualties.

“Our personnel have already conducted interview and assessment to the families of the casualties in the Natonin landslide. Aside from this, we are also closely monitoring the status of our evacuation centers to ensure that the needs of our evacuees are attended to”, Director Armas said.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been affected by typhoon Rosita in the region. The DSWD-CAR with the help of all our partners and stakeholders will do its best to assist you in your journey towards recovery”, Director Armas said. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

SWAD Mountain Province personnel join the meeting to monitor the status of the different municipalities in the province.

Cordillera Administrative Region– As of 4 am of 31 October 2018, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has been monitoring around 2,511 families with 8,886 individuals who have been affected by typhoon Rosita.

“Of the families we are monitoring, 1,386 are from Benguet, 518 are from Kalinga, 300 from Apayao, 116 from Mountain Province, 103 from Ifugao and 88 from Abra ”, DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.

“We are in close coordination with the local government units in monitoring our communities. This is to ensure that their needs will be properly addressed. We, in the DSWD, may not be able to provide all of these, but we would like to assure the public that we will work with other agencies and institutions and try our best to help them”, Armas added.

The DSWD-CAR has accounted 2,270 families that have been displaced due to the typhoon. 1,719 families are staying inside 142 evacuation centers while 551 families are staying with their friends or relatives.

“Our displaced families have conducted pre-emptive evacuation and we are monitoring them through the local social welfare and development offices and our Social Welfare and Development Teams in the localities.” Director Armas said.

On 30 October 2018, DSWD-CAR personnel visited various evacuation centers to check the situation of the evacuees. Aside from providing food and non-food relief items, the DSWD can also provide psychosocial interventions to the victims.

Meanwhile, DSWD-CAR is also closely monitoring the victims in the landslide incident in Natonin, Mountain Province.

“Our personnel in Mountain Province are working with our partners on ground to provide the necessary interventions. We will provide our services upon the assessment of our social workers”, Armas added.

As of 30 October 2018, a total of 12,655 family food packs have been released by the Field Office to various municipalities which can be distributed to TY Rosita victims. Additional 28,710 family food packs is available at the DSWD-CAR Warehouse in Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet for augmentation. The DSWD-CAR is also maintaining 321 dignity kits, 1655 family kits, 976 hygiene kits, and 4,530 sleeping kits.

“We would like to ask our communities to closely coordinate with their respective local governments as they are our partners in ensuring that our interventions will reach them. DSWD can also be reached through Municipal Operations Office and SWAD Offices in the areas”, Director Armas said. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Cordillera Administrative Region– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here continues its operations to ensure that typhoon (TY) Rosita- affected communities in the region will be provided appropriate interventions.

“We are continuously monitoring our communities here in the region through close coordination with our local government units. We are also looking into the correctness and consistency of the data in our reports since these will be our bases for accurate and efficient interventions for them”, DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.

As of 10 AM on 30 October 2018, the DSWD has recorded 350 families that conducted preemptive evacuation. Of which, 92 are from the municipality of Bakun in Benguet, 13 from Dolores in Abra, 11 in Barlig, Mountain Province, 4 in Tabuk City, Kalinga and 230 from Itogon, Benguet.

“We have already provided 82 tents and 1,000 family food packs to Itogon, Benguet. Through the local government unit, we continue to monitor this area which has been greatly affected by TY Ompong in the past.” Director Armas said.

The DSWD-CAR has provided 890 tents to local government units that have identified areas that are highly susceptible to landslide and flooding.

Aside from the tents, DSWD-CAR will be releasing 12,100 additional family food packs to the different provinces in the region. Of this, Mountain Province and Ifugao will be provided with 1,800 family food packs each, 4,500 in Abra, 1,200 in Apayao and 2,800 in Benguet.

As of 29 October 2019, a total of Php 8,834,032.95 is available as DSWD-CAR’s stand-by funds.

Aside from the goods and funds, DSWD-CAR has also coordinated with its partners for possible volunteer work.

“We are in close coordination with various institutions just like the Bureau of Fire and Protection so that we have a pool of volunteers in case we will need them. We recognize the help and support that they give to us in our operations”, Director Armas said. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

DSWD Quick Response Teams have been on duty since 29 October 2018 to monitor the effects of TY Rosita in the Region.

Cordillera Administrative Region– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has laid down its preparatory measures to augment for the possible effects of typhoon (TY) Rosita in the region.

“The DSWD-CAR is ready to assist our local government units in addressing the needs of our communities that might be affected by typhoon Rosita”, DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Janet P. Armas said.

On 29 October 2018, the DSWD has provided tents to local government units that have areas identified as susceptible to landslide and flooding.

“Together with other agencies, we are closely monitoring Baguio City and Benguet where most susceptible areas have been identified, we have already set five possible evacuation centers for the possible victims of the typhoon”, Director Armas added.

Meanwhile, as of 29 October 2018, the DSWD-CAR maintains 29,530 family food packs (FFP’s) amounting to PhP 10,822,539.55. Family food packs have also been pre-positioned in various provinces with 8,284 in Kalinga, 4,000 in Apayao, 4850 in Abra, 2,000 in Benguet, 3,778 in Ifugao and 6,254 Mountain Province.

The DSWD-CAR is also maintaining an amount of PhP 3,446,850.95 as standby fund.

“We will continue to coordinate with our stakeholders and partners in addressing the possible effects of typhoon Rosita. Meanwhile, we would like to as our communities to be proactive and take all the necessary preparations for the typhoon’s effect. Be vigilant and closely coordinate with your local government units”, Director Armas said.

On the other hand, DSWD-CAR Quick Response Teams in the provinces and in the Field Office have already been activated morning of 29 October 2018 to monitor the effects of TY Rosita.

DSWD-CAR through its Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team Offices will be providing support to local government units in the provinces in the relief and response operations.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Response and Management Division and Quick Response Team in the Field Office can be reached at #40 North Drive, Baguio City with contact number (074) 446-59-61 or 444-32-62 or 0908-980-3494. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva