MAKATI CITY – The Pantawid Pamilya Program of DSWD MiMaRoPa conducted the Parent Leaders’ Training on Leadership and Advocacy at Makati Palace Hotel last April 4-6, 2016. With 40 participants, the activity primarily aims to inspire and mobilize the parent leaders to take an active role in the institutionalization of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) bill.

The two-day activity allowed the participants to share and reflect on their experiences on the early gains of the program. They were also updated on the House Bill passed and how some of its categories are different on the current implementation design.

The participants were also taught on the legislation process and how the salient provisions in the House Bill can be included in the Senate Bill. The program recognizes the crucial roles of the parent leaders to participate in community development affairs that is why they must be equipped with necessary knowledge and skills.

The training also provided a venue for the parent leaders to understand and appreciate their roles as volunteer leaders and advocates of the program.

Ms. Leticia D. Baldonadu, a parent leader in Palawan encouraged others, “Tayong mga parent leader, malaki ang responsibilidad natin kasi tayo yung mga tao na nasa liblib na lugar na kung saan tayo ang nagdadala ng mga members natin. Ngayon ipaabot natin sa mga member na napakahalaga ng Pantawid Pamilya kasi ito lang yung tanging paraan na naabot talaga ang pinakaliblib na lugar na matulungan ng gobyerno. At sinu-sino ba yun? Di ba yung pinakadulo talaga na naghihirap na tao. Ano naman an gating counterpart o responsibilidad? Ipakita natin na talagang ang lahat ng itinutulong sa atin ay hindi nasasayang. Yun lang ang tanging paraan para ang Pantawid Pamilya Makita ng mga namumuno, mga nasa taas na kailangang-kailangan natin ito.”

Leticia is one of the millions covered by the program and was empowered to take up the challenge to push for the change they want in their lives. ###