The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) through the Grievance Redress System (GRS) of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has resolved 2,569 complaints out of 2,574 cases for 2019.

“Out of the total 2,574 cases received, we were able to accomplish a resolution rate of 99.81% which means that majority of the complaints were provided with appropriate interventions. The remaining five cases that accounts for 0.19% of the total are still on process for resolution,” Regional Grievance Officer Siso Laus said.

The GRS is a set of procedures meant to timely resolve issues and complaints related to the 4Ps implementation. It intends to obtain data on the project vulnerabilities to make necessary refinements and to empower communities in program accountability.

The top three complaints with the highest number of cases resolved are payment-related issues with 1,843, Cash Card related issues with 369, and ineligibility with 171 cases. Misbehavior of beneficiaries placed fourth with 140 cases resolved.

Laus elaborated that for the payment related issues, most complaints were on the reduced education grants received due to not updated school facility of the children beneficiary. He added that the complaints were validated and eligible beneficiaries to be paid through the manual retroactive payment process were identified.

On the cash card related issues, Laus reported that the complaints received were lost cash cards and forgotten Personal Identification Number (PIN). “Through monthly Family Development Sessions, beneficiaries were reminded on how to care and use Pantawid Cash Card,” he added.

The DSWD also noted that the ineligibility complaints mostly involved household beneficiaries with regular income or those being supported by family members working overseas or migrated abroad. Other cases include grantees who won posts during the 2019 local elections.

As of 16 January 2020, there are four on-going cases of ineligibility being resolved.

“There were 167 cases resolved already for the ineligibility complaints. Case conferences were thoroughly conducted by our provincial grievance officers together with the concerned Municipal Operations Offices. The remaining complaints are still being validated and we hope to resolve these immediately,” Laus explained.

Meanwhile, Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program Coordinator Fatima Florendo said that that the Program will be strengthening its efforts to address the concerns of the Program’s stakeholders. Florendo further shared that there will be intensified field validations through home visits and advocacy activities to explain and respond to similar issues.

Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to report any problems concerning 4Ps implementation through the nearest Pantawid Pamilya Operations Office.
The public can also e-mail concerns through grs.focar@dswd.gov.ph or text complaints through the hotline number 0918-912-2813 with the following text format DSWD<space>4Ps<space>Name of Beneficiary<space>Address<space>Message.
As of 31 December 2019, there are 57,797 registered 4Ps household beneficiaries being monitored for their compliance to program conditionalities on education, health, and nutrition. # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Marlo C. Abyado, Jr., Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer

Sir Jed has always considered knowledge sharing as a gift that everyone has the capacity to give and receive

Cordillera Administrative Region- He wanted to establish businesses, but he ended up building people. This is the journey of Mr. Jerry D. Julian or Sir Jed to most of his colleagues and mentees.

Sir Jed is the Training Specialist III and designated Section Head of the Capacity Building Section (CBS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR).

He earned a degree in Agribusiness but was not able to practice his course as he chose to teach in an international school in Baguio City.

“Gusto kong mag-business noon kaya lang nag-boom ang pagtuturo ng English as a second language kaya sinubukan kong magturo”, Sir Jed shared.

But this may have been fate’s way to lead him into his unknown life mission back then.

Lifelong mission unfolds

“Habang nagtuturo ako, I started to realize na baka ito na ‘yung career na para sa akin”, Sir Jed said. Thus, he took courses in professional education and later on  passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

However, in 2009, he took the opportunity to join the government through the DSWD.

“Nakita ko kasi na pareho sa mandato ng DSWD ang gusto kong gawin. Gusto kong tumulong din sa mga kagaya ko:, Sir Jed shared as he reminisced his humble beginnings.

He started as an Administrative Assistant. After serving for 10 months in the said position, he was promoted to a Training Specialist position which he held until 2014. Determined to push his career further, he applied and was hired in DSWD Central Office as a Project Development Officer designated as a Training Officer. Later on, he took a break from government service but still supported the Department through his consultancy services.

Home is where is heart is

Despite the accomplishments in his career, Sir Jed seemed tobe incomplete. He realized that he needed to be with his family thus, he decided to apply and was later on hired as a Training Specialist of DSWD-CAR.

This did not only let him come home to the Cordillera region and his family, but this has allowed him to be with his first love- to be able to teach and capacitate people.

“As a Talent Development Practitioner, I am happy and fulfilled because I know that I can help in changing the life of a person through the capacity building and knowledge that we give.

When we capacitate our partners and stakeholders, we see improved service delivery. This in turn may result to our communities’ improved quality of life.

Ito na rin ang paraan ko para ibahagi sa kapwa ko Kordilyeran kung anong biyaya meron ako. I feel happy an fulfilled”, Sir Jed said.

Aside from achieving inner happiness, Sir Jed is also able to contribute to the accomplishment of DSWD-CAR’s commitments. Under his leadership, he was able to implement various innovations such as gamification of learning, use of audiovisual presentation during capability building activities, and use of technology-driven tools. He also pushed for the corporate membership of DSWD-CAR to prestigious organizations such as the Philippine Society of Training and Development (PSTD) and the Association of Special Libraries in the Philippines (ASLP).

He also introduced the concept of Knowledge Sharing Session and learning conversation through the conceptualization of a platform dubbed as Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Talks to promote a culture of learning within the Field Office so that personnel can improve their competencies and perform their functions effectively and efficiently. To further support tis, he pushed for the development of a Core Group of Specialists Directory of Expertise within the Field Office to promote access to internal knowledge and exterpise and to aid the Field Office in sourcing Subject Matter Expert or Resource Person during its activities.

The Maestro

With his efforts and passion, Sir Jed has been conferred the Gawad Maestro 2018 Outstanding Learning and Development Professional of the Year award.

The Gawad Maestro is the PSTD’s most prestigious award giving body on talent development that aims to honor and recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and creativity in improving organizational performance through learning and development.

He also received various commendations from the Department and was able to bring numerous recognitions and awards to the DSWD-CAR.

Despite his accomplishments, Sir Jed continues his pursuit for greater things and inspiring others.

“Life is embracing changes. Life is learning. And it should never stop. As long as we can, let us continue to share and empower the people that we meet”, Sir Jed shared.  # DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Cordillera Administrative Region-The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here reminds the public to be careful in providing donations to groups or individuals asking for donations for those who are affected by the volcanic activities of Mt. Taal in Batangas Province.

This follows the report that some groups and individuals are allegedly conducting solicitation activities.

“We believe that many good hearted people want to extend their blessings to our kababayans who are in a difficult situation now but we also need to ensure that our donations will be used for the welfare of the identified beneficiaries and not for the personal interest of the solicitor ” DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said.

DSWD is mandated to provide solicitation permit to individuals, groups, organizations, or offices that wish to solicit monetary donation for public and charitable purposes.

Under Memorandum Circular (MC) 17 Series of 2014, any group or organization issued with a solicitation permit is required to submit fund utilization report, list of donors and beneficiaries, and other pertinent documents upon the expiry of issued permit. DSWD Offices issue permits for regional or national fund solicitation activities. The validity of the said permits shall not exceed six (6) months or one (1) year, respectively.  Meanwhile, fund raising activities covering only one municipality or city will be handled by the concerned local government unit.

Non-government organizations, civil society organizations and private entities who wish to conduct fund raising activities are also regulated by the DSWD.

“We encourage our donors to coordinate with the nearest local social welfare and development office or DSWD office in their area for them to be guided in the donation process.

Meanwhile, the public can also ask for the solicitation permits of individuals or groups asking donations from them”, Director Quintilla said.

Individuals or organizations that fail to present their solicitation permit maybe reported to any DSWD Office or LGU in the area of concern. Legal sanctions may be implemented as stipulated in PD 1564 or the Solicitation Permit Law.

Donors may visit the DSWD-CAR Help Desk at #40 North Drive, Baguio City or may call (074) 661 0430 or +63917 871 9893 or +63919 065 5365. Queries may also be sent through https://www.facebook.com/dswdfocar. #DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Despite of years being apart, Emil and Nanay Benigna (in the center) seemed not to lose their bond and connection as seen during the visit. Nanay Benigna may have lost Emil 26 years ago, but she has now found not just her child but a new family. With them is Mama Beth who is Emil’s foster parent.

Cordillera Administrative Region- Have you ever wondered where mothers draw strength to endure and surpass life’s daunting challenges? How they make impossible things possible?

Some people say they draw strength from their children- their magical source of energy no matter how challenging these children are. But how can a mother survive life if she lost her reason to fight?

For 26 years, 51-year-old Benigna Careneo- Blanco held unto the memories of her children. These memories and her yearning to be with them again kept her brave and strong to survive all the challenges in her life.

According to Nanay Benigna, she lived with her husband and her four children in Benito Soliven, Isabela. Due to poverty, her husband decided to work as a gasoline boy in Cauayan City, Isabela where he met another woman whom he eventually lived with. Having a new partner, her husband forced and threatened to kill her.

Fearing for their life, Nanay Benigna left with her children Emilio Jr., who was then only 7 years old, and Elizabeth, who was four years old. Her other children, Vanessa and March Kevin, remained under her husband’s care.

To escape, they walked from Isabela to Bataan. Due to fatigue, she fainted somewhere at the market place and at that point she lost Emilio, Jr. Benigna sought help from a social worker in Bataan but despite their efforts, her son was nowhere to be found.

With a heavy heart, Nanay Benigna continued their journey to Bataan with only one of her children by her side. While in Bataan, her husband’s relative took Elizabeth to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya while Benigna was reintegrated to her aunt at Sumaoy, Camarines Sur hoping that she can now live peacefully.

Bumps along the Way

But fate did not favor Nanay Benigna. She had to live with different people who physically abused her. One even forced her to beg.

Instead of losing hope, Nanay Benigna used her situation as an opportunity to earn money for her to go back to Isabela and look for her children. After all the hardships, her efforts paid off when she was able to go back to Isabela and locate Vanesa, one of the daughter who was working as a house helper. But this turned into a bitter sweet moment for Nanay Benigna when her daughter asked her to go back to Bicol because she can’t accommodate her.

This did not discourage her to give up. She positively continued to look for Elizabeth. At Solano, Nueva Viscaya, she finally found her living with her in-laws, but once again, Nanay Benigna was heartbroken as she left after her daughter asked her to go back to Bicol since she will not have a place to stay. This forced Nanay Benigna to live on the streets.  She shared that she survived by begging and cooking her food with empty cans that she found along the way.

These experiences may have taken its toll on Nanay Benigna’s mental health. She recalled that she again started to experience episodes of hallucination where she saw light posts as figure of people asking her to walk, beg, and run away from police officers.

When a new road opens

With her situation, Nanay Benigna wandered from Isabela until she was caught by the police at Tublay, Benguet. She was brought to the Local Social Welfare Office of Tublay and was eventually turned over to the Regional Haven for Women and Girls (Regional Haven).

The Regional Haven for Women and Girls is one of the institutions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development- Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) that aims to provide protection and proper intervention and rehabilitation services to women and girls who are victims of violence, abuse, and exploitation.

At first, Nanay Benigna felt that staying in the Regional Haven would hinder her from reuniting with her family but surprisingly fate favored her this time. With the efforts of the social workers of the Regional Haven to connect with their local counter parts, they were able to find her relatives and her children including her lost son.

On 30 July 2019, Nanay Benigna’s 26-year journey of longing for her child Emil came to an end as he came to visit her.

Emil recalled that ill-fated day when his mother fainted which left him wandering while crying until someone took care of him and helped him meet his foster parent.

Despite having a new family, Emil admitted that he also looked for his biological mother with the support of his foster parents. After a year of tracing his family’s whereabouts, he received a call from the Regional Haven informing him about his mother.

With what happened, the Regional Haven did not just answer Nanay Benigna’s long time wish but also of Emil’s as finally, he was able to be with his mother again.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa May Kapal, sa mama ko, sa Regional Haven kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi ko makikita ang tunay kong ina. Sa totoo lang, masaya naman ako sa pamilya na meron ako ngayon pero iba din kasi kapag nahanap mo kung saan ka nanggaling at ang sarili mong pamilya ”, Emil said.

“Masaya na ako dahil nakauwi na rin siya sa tatay niya, at nakasama na rin niya ang mga kapatid niya.  Wala na akong wish kundi makasama ang mga anak ko” Nanay Benigna said.

Mama Beth, who stands as Emil’s mother, has always been supportive in his wish to find his mother.

Mama Beth also commended the efforts of DSWD- CAR in helping Emil’s dream turn into reality. “Ipinagmamalaki ko sa Manila dahil iba talaga ang effort ng DSWD-Cordillera para mahanap ang kanyang pamilya”, she said.

According to Emil, his Mama Beth is willing to accommodate Nanay Benigna in their home.

At present, Nanay Benigna and Emil are working on strengthening the bond that was once tested by life’s uncertainties. While she is still in the center, she is not just maximizing her time to help her co-residents in the center and making efforts to improve her health by taking her medications but she is also preparing herself to be a mother to her children.

Nanay Benigna is now taking her steps to a better journey full of hope with the love of her children and her newfound family. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Merry Ann Wandas and Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

OIC-Regional Director Leo Quntilla reminds the parents and their children on their roles in protecting children’s rights.

Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here reiterates the importance of observing children’s rights to further promote their welfare.

This is also supported by the theme of the 2019 National Children’s month celebration which is “Karapatang Pambata: Patuloy na pahalagahan at gampanan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan”.

In the closing activity for the said celebration, DSWD-CAR OIC Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla highlighted the importance of empowering the children by providing information.

“It is important for children to know their rights. It is by knowing that they are able to ask for what is good for them”, Director Quintilla said.

Director Quintilla emphasized the four basic rights of children which includes the right to be served with a proper diet for them to have a healthy body, the right to be dressed properly to protect them from any kinds of weather, the right to live in a decent house for them to feel secured and comfortable, and the right to health care.

Meanwhile, Director Quintilla also reiterated the role of adults to ensure that children’s welfare will always be considered.

“For us parents, let us make sure to respect these [children’s] rights. As adults, we have to protect the life of and to love our children. Make our family full of love and understanding to have a good happy Filipino family”, Director Quintilla added.

Meanwhile, various activities were also conducted in the closing event. Book coloring activities were prepared for 3-5 year old children to enhance their creativity. Orientation about online safety and poster making contest were also conducted for children aging 6-17 years old while parents underwent an orientation on parenting and were provided with tips for them to have a good relationship with their children.

The activity was attended by the clients from the Regional Haven for Women and Girls (Regional Haven), Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) and the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC).

The Regional Haven, RRCY and the RSCC are three residential care facilities maintained by the DSWD-CAR. The said institutions provide 24/7 protection and rehabilitation services to women and girls who have been victims of abuse and exploitation, children in conflict with the law and children who have been neglected and abandoned.  #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Merry Ann Wandas and Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here through Listahanan or the National Household Targeting Section (NHTS) is set to conduct the Third Round of Household Assessment pursuant to Executive Order No. 867, series of 2010 which states that the Department shall maintain the system and serve as the repository of the data on poor households and shall update the data every four years.

The Third Round of assessment will be conducted this 2019, wherein a target of more than 270,000 household will be assessed to determine their poverty status in the region. This follows the Second Round of Household Assessment that was undertaken in 2015.

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country. By providing a unified criteria, it makes the database of poor households available as basis for identifying potential beneficiaries of social protection programs and services.

The identification of poor households follows a four-phase project cycle.

First Phase: Preparatory Phase

Hiring and training of 624 field and office staff in the region comprising of area coordinators, supervisors, enumerators, encoders, and verifiers is conducted during this phase. These personnel who will be supervised by the National Household Targeting Section (NHTS) in the region, will maintain close coordination with the Local Government Units during the implementation of the assessment, specifically in the preparation of spot maps for deployment planning, provision of logistical support, and information dissemination.

Second Phase: Data Collection and Analysis Phase

The data collection phase will be implemented following the strategy of saturation or total enumeration in all rural-classified barangays and pockets of poverty in all urban-classified barangays; the classification of barangays is identified by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Enumerators uses paper and pen as data collection tools. Paper forms are encoded and reviewed by verifiers to ensure accuracy and completeness of information.Information transmitted to the database were processed using the Proxy Means Test (PMT) model. The PMT model is a statistical model used to predict the per capita income of a household based on observable characteristics that correlate with, but are easier to measure, than income.

Households with estimated per capita income that falls below their official provincial poverty threshold will be classified as poor.

Third Phase: Validation and Finalization Phase

A public validation of the initial list of poor will be conducted to respond to issues of under-coverage and inclusion of non-poor households. Area supervisors will receive complaints and endorses and appeals it to the Barangay Verification Team (BVT) and the Local Verification Committees (LVC), which is composed of the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, City/Municipal Planning and Development Officer and others from the private sector. Once all complaints are received, validators will then reassess households. This activity ensures the integrity of the database before sharing it with other government agencies and social protection stakeholders.

Fourth Phase: Reports Generation Phase

The Department will launch the Listahanan 3 database of poor households with stakeholders in attendance. This activity advocates for the utilization of the Listahanan database for evidence-based program planning and prioritization of the identified poor households in appropriate and responsive social protection programs, projects and services.

In 2009, the Listahanan assessed more than 10.9 million households nationwide of which 5.2 million were identified poor; 77,811 poor households were identified poor in CAR. In 2015, Listahanan conducted the Second Round of Household Assessment to 15.1 million households, of which 5.1 million were identified poor; 64,633 poor households were identified poor in CAR. After two assessment cycles, the NHTS-PR data continues to be a vital information source for the government, providing an objective basis for beneficiary selection and a rich data resource for planning, developing and monitoring program interventions. This year, Listahanan targets more than 16 million households nationwide for the Third Round of Household Assessment.

Listahanan 3 final list of poor households is expected to be released by June 2020. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Mark Erik King Guanzon

Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  here has provided assistance to some 609 families composed of 2,183 individuals due to the heavy rains brought about by TY Quiel which resulted to flooding in Apayao and in some areas is Luzon.

This is as of 7PM of 9 November 2019.

The families assisted were all from the Province of Apayao. Most of the assisted were from Flora town with 210 families composed of 724 individuals, followed by Sta. Marcela with 176 families composed of 642 individuals, Luna with 107 families composed of 339 individuals, Pudtol with 60 families with 237 individuals, Kabugao with 49 families composed of 175 individuals and Conner with 16 families composed of 66 individuals. 

A total of 700 food packs were already provided by the DSWD. Of these, 300 were allocated to Sta Marcela, 200 to Flora, 100 each for Luna and Pudtol. 155 boxes of ready to eat food and 300 sleeping kits were also provided. 

The assistance provided were family food packs, ready to eat food and sleeping kits amounting to around PhP 356,346.50. 

Meanwhile the local government unit (LGU) of Apayao has also provided assistance amounting to PhP 661,816.00.

“Through our Social Welfare and Development Office in Apayao, we are closely working with our LGU counterparts to ensure that we are able to provide the necessary augmentation to serve the affected families. We will continue to do so until the necessary.” OIC DSWD-CAR Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said. 

A total of 663 families composed of 2,365 individuals have been affected and are being monitored by the DSWD and the LGUs. #DSWD-CAR, NERIZZA FAYE G. VILLANUEVA 

*This is a developing story. Updates will be done as necessary.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD CAR) – Around 68,004 households under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the region will be assessed by the NHTS-PR or Listahanan this October.

To ensure that all 4Ps beneficiaries are assessed during the conduct of the Listahanan Third Round of Household Assessment, the National Household Targeting Office (NHTO), together with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) National Program Management Office (NPMO) developed a set of guidelines that will be utilized for the assessment. 

“Considering the use of Listahanan database of poor households in the identification of Pantawid PamilyangPilipino program beneficiaries, there is a need to deliberately ensure that Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are assessed for the continuation of services provided to them.”, OIC- Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said.

Under the guidelines, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries shall be asked to present their Pantawid ID for verification during the interview. In case the ID is lost, missing or unavailable, the Oath of Commitment may be presented. If the Pantawid beneficiary cannot present their ID or Oath of Commitment, the information shall be supplied by the assigned City/Municipal Link and shall be indicated in the Household Assessment Log (HAL). The HAL is a list of all the households visited and interviewed. 

Pantawid beneficiaries who remain unassessed after three visits from the Listahanan field workers will be recorded in the HAL with the corresponding remarks.

“We have already informed our City Links, Municipal Links and Parent Leaders to assist Listahanan field staff during the conduct of the household assessment. We have also informed our beneficiaries regarding the assessment during their Family Development Sessions.” PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Regional Program Coordinator Fatima D. Florendo said.

The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan is an information management system that employs geographic targeting, household assessment, and validation in order to provide national government agencies, development partners, and other social protection actors with information on who and where the poor are in the country. The system guarantees the establishment and management of a national socio-economic database of poor households using a globally-accepted method.

Listahanan enables government organizations and agencies to accurately and objectively identify poor households to serve as potential beneficiaries for their poverty reduction programs.#DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Mark Erik