It is true that National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or the Listahanan provides data of the poor households that become the benchmark and basis to respond to the needs of the poor. These generated data come from hired field staff that are set off in the field to conduct a one-on-one interview with the household members.

During the Listahanan first round nationwide assessment  in 2009, he worked as an Area Supervisor (AS) and held the same position during the On-Demand Application  (ODA) validation in 2010.

He is Mark Anthony Fernandez, a resident of Barangay Pag-asa, San Jose Occidental Mindoro. His name sounds familiar because of a local celebrity with the same name. But he is a celebrity in his own way, to his family and community.

Recalling his work as an AS, he supervised the conduct of the household assessment and monitored his Enumerators. This according to him, is a tough blow.

The Extraordinary experience

“Hindi madali ang umakyat sa mga bundok at tumawid sa ilog” says Mark as he remembers the time they travelled to an Indigenous People community in Sitio Timbangan, Barangay Batasan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro where a tribe of Tau-Buhid lives.  It was a half day of long and struggling walks where the scorching heat of the sun, terrible thirst and hunger is not an exemption.

Though terrified and tired but his dedication gave the prowess to endure and pursue the journey. “Kahit gaano kahirap ay pipilitin mong kayanin para marating lang sila.” He noted that the challenge did not end there.  “May mga katutubo na ayaw magpa-interview dahil sa mining”, Mark recalled. And it was a huge effort convincing them and explaining to them the true purpose of the project.

Along with our conversation, Marked smiled as he remembered a funny incident that happened on one of their travels. “May isa akong enumerator na nahulog at nagpagulong gulong mula sa ibabaw ng bundok pailalim. Akala ko, masama ang lagay niya, pero hindi naman, nakakatuwa lang dahil mas pinapangalagaan pa niya ang mga dalang  forms (Household Assessment Form) na huwag masira.”

As he looked back and reminisced those days of being a field staff. One can see the full determination and happiness in his eyes. It is clear as broad day light that the Listahanan has filled a portion of his life.

The challenges

Sleeping in unfamiliar houses and eating together with complete strangers is not easy. Surviving a very peculiar situation where you have no idea what it takes flavors the experience of a Listahanan field staff once accomplished.

“Hindi lang naman pagod at gutom  ang kalaban namin” Mark continues.  But the bad weather condition can be. The unpredictable rain or storm sometimes hinders the works. Nonetheless, they continued despite the hot and humid condition.

In the field, he came across with numerous people whose stories are left untold.  “May mga tao na makukulit, may ayaw mag painterview, may galit, iba-iba ang pananaw” Mark witnessed the real situation of the poor. He had seen and heard facts of life which were not captured by means of statistics.

Listahanan: An opportunity

Working with the NHTSPR can lead to greater opportunities and Mark attested this statement. Presently, Mark is a Social Welfare Assistant of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program assigned in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro. “Kung dati ang mga pamilyang ini-interview lang namin, ngayon nakikita ko na ang ilan sa kanila na  benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya.” he said.

Revealing such story, the fulfillment radiates in his face. Mark is proud to claim that he is part of that process which resulted positive changes to the lives of the poor.

The Listahanan assessment is truly exciting but the reality of being a staff came to be quite different. It needs physical fitness and emotional stability to hold the pressures that lie. It needs logical analysis on how you’re going to consume the time given without sacrificing the quality of work. It entails stamina and extra speed considering the country’s geographical location. It requires extra dedication in handling your respondents. Going door-to-door asking people and explaining what the Listahanan is about need confidence and patience. By then, he saw an absolute situation of the poverty and that is his main target to help identify who and where the poor are.

“Sa mga bagong enumerators, Area Supervisors and Coordinators ngayong second round assessment, ang hamon ay naka-atang sa inyong mga kamay para sa isang pagbabago” Mark strongly bequeaths the challenge. ###