PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN – Ten National Government Agencies (NGAs) of Luzon convened for the first “Regional Island Cluster – Regional Directors Consultation Workshop (RDCW)” in The Legend Hotel, last August 4-8, 2014.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MiMaRoPa hosted this year’s RDCW attended by some 120 Regional Directors of various NGAs of Luzon. The convention aims to intensify convergence among all government agencies in the implementation of programs and services for specified beneficiaries.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Operations and Programs Group, Teodulo R. Romo Jr. described the concept of convergence as a “complementation of programs by various NGAs” to create a greater progressive effect in the lives of target beneficiaries.

The two-day convention-cum-workshop began with the presentation of updates on implementation of committed projects in the last year’s RDCW. A breakout session per agency ensued allowing a more focused discussion on the status of accomplishments of implemented and to-be-implemented projects. A thorough review and deliberation on hindering and facilitating factors in the fulfillment of agreed commitments were conducted when participants convened per respective region.

The workshop is to generate a tangible course of action for the delivery of remaining programs and projects in the last semester of the year. At the end of the convention, a comprehensive presentation on participating agencies’ “catch-up” plan were showcased to the plenary. Participants shared their insights to concretize feasible actions to accomplish the remaining commitments for 2014.

Provision of employment became the fundamental concentration of to-be-implemented programs for provision of livelihood to targeted recipients, particularly DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. “We believe that more than financially providing for the scholastic needs of our Pantawid beneficiaries, it is very important that a family generates income to sustain their household necessities,” said Asec. Romo.

DSWD reinforces the use of Listahanan’s database of poor household in identifying beneficiaries. It was also suggested that all members of RDCW should be able to access Listahanan database even without the Memorandum of Agreement as this will “make it easier” for concerned agency to generate a list of beneficiaries.

The RDCW is an annual event spearheaded by DSWD. NGAs who attended the workshop include: Department of Education; Department of Health; Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Agriculture; Department of Agrarian Reform; Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Department of Labor and Employment; Department of Tourism and; Department of Trade and Industry.

Also present in the event were local city Mayor Lucilo Bayron and Governor Jose Alvarez who hosted a welcome dinner for participants of RDCW. ###