San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro – More than 1,000 partner-beneficiaries attended the payout of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program last June 26, 2015. In coordination with the local government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the regular activity of DSWD MiMaRoPa was maximized to be able to provide free services such as dental and medical check-up, haircut, massage, and opportunities to inquire on government processes on various agencies i.e. Commission on Election (COMELEC), Social Security System (SSS) and PhilHealth.
“Ang gawain po ngayong araw ay para po talaga sa inyo upang mas mailapit sa inyo ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno. Ito po ay isang paraan ng pagpapakita ng convergence hindi lamang sa mga programang inihahain ng DSWD kundi ng iba’t-ibang ahensya at ng mga civil society groups,” said Mrs. Purificacion Arriola, Protective Services Division Chief.
Municipal Mayor Salvador Py is also present in the event and expressed his gratitude for the initiative and continuous efforts of the Department in servicing the poor and vulnerable people.
Maximizing the day not only provides awareness on the Department’s programs and services but also to the different sectors. The other agencies and organizations present are: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), RedCross, Mangyan Mission, NorFil Foundation, iHelp Inc., LOBO Community and Development Inc., Mangyan Tribal Church Association, Pampamayanan Mangyan Ugnayan, Inc., German Doctors and Kapitolyo Para sa Mamamayan.
Voice of the People
On the same day, the Parent Leaders’ Dialogue cum CSO-Led Forum was also conducted. With 150 parent leaders and iHelp as facilitators, the activity aims to encourage and empower the partner-beneficiaries to be articulators of change brought by the various social protective programs and services of the Department. Each of their stories also aims to inspire others to do better in their own households, and in turn in their communities.
During the workshop, the partner-beneficiaries were grouped to tackle their issues and concerns on the programs and services of DSWD. Voicing their concerns and addressing them allows for better understanding and implementation.
“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil nakikita namin sa DSWD ang mga pagbabago sa buhay ninyong aming mga partner-beneficiaries. Hindi natin makakamit ang pagbabago kung kami lang ang gagawa dahil sa inyo magmumula ang pagbabago,” said Ms. Maridel Rodriguez, Provincial Link of Pantawid Pamilya in Oriental Mindoro.
The same activity was also done in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro with almost a hundred participants. ###
