Marinduque – The outstanding concern of Filipinos for the elderly resonated in words spoken at the recently concluded Social Technology Unit’s presentation of its 14 completed programs in Sta.Cruz and Mompog, Marinduque, August 29 and 30, respectively.
Social Technology Unit (SocTech) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development IV-MiMaRoPa is responsible for developing, enhancing and pilot testing programs intended to help address needs of the disadvantaged sector of the society. The programs formulated cater to all sectors of the society including the youth, persons with disability, senior citizens, women and children and the marginalized sector in general.
As part of SocTech’s function to promote various programs it generated, Josephine Macalagay, head of SocTech Unit of DSWD IV-MiMaRoPa called out to members of the local government units of Sta.Cruz and Mompog to replicate the 14 programs under its umbrella.
Promoting the understated
In two separate events, stakeholders were gathered at a symposium to formally introduce the projects. The prime objective of the presentation is to encourage LGUs to replicate programs to their respective municipalities.
Macalagay put focused on the distinguishable difference between each of the SocTech programs with the old program models that their municipality has adapted and been adapting. “Incidentally yung ibang programa na ipinipresent ko ngayon ay maaring may similarity sa mga programang naimplement na noon, however there are enhancements in the old models that would fit and cater to the needs of our target beneficiaries,” stressed Macalagay.
Advancing welfare of the Elderly and the Youth
Out of the 14 programs presented, both municipalities showed interest on projects that cater to the senior citizens and the youth. “Dito ho sa amin eh mataas ang bilang ng mga nakatatanda kaya siguro magiging malaking tulong ang program sa senior citizens,” shared Ishmael Lim, Vice-mayor of Sta.Cruz. He suggested for Macalagay to expound on the Sheltered Workshop for Senior Citizens, one of the programs dedicated to providing livelihood training for the elderly.
Moreover, the municipality of Sta.Cruz shared about an on-going program focused on IT educational training for out-of-school youths in their community. Mayor Lim excitedly relayed the IT Development program they run for OSYs in Sta.Cruz, to which 6 computers were made available for training purposes.
Macalagay then forwarded to presenting programs that benefits the interest of women. Both municipalities proved to have a low case of incidence towards abusive treatment of women in their town which led someone to comically ask for programs that cater to husbands who are victims of violence. “Paano naman po ang mga lalaking nabubugbog ng asawa? Wala po bang programa para protektahan naman kami?” joked Mompog Mayor, Livelo Senen. “Wala naman hong masyadong lalake na willing i-admit yan, pero pwede naman gawan ng programa kung magkaron ng mataas na insidente,” said Macalagay in jest.
Soliciting Commitment
Funding is one of the most crucial parts in pioneering any development program. One striking concern that stakeholders raised during the presentation was directed at the source of funds should they adopt any of the programs presented. Macalagay acknowledged their concern and straightforwardly stated that the DSWD IV-MiMaRoPa and SocTech team can augment support for
training and capability building needs, but the fund for monetary support should come from the LGUs.
“Malaki naman ang maitutulong ng mga programa na ito sa amin, especially yung mga programa para sa mga senior citizens at PWDs,” commented Lim, along with the pledge of convening with his colleagues for finalization.
The two-day event was concluded in an evident interest of LGUs in programs that were presented. Though adaption of any of these programs is still at bay, SocTech unit’s initial intent to make all these programs known to Sta.Cruz and Mompog were met. The department is hopeful of turning the spark of interest into a fiery initiative to replicate any of the presented programs.
