Despite limitations brought by granular lockdowns because of the nationwide spread of the COVID-19, DSWD MIMAROPA ensures that the conduct of Family Development Sessions (FDS) and Youth Development Sessions (YDS) for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries have been continued in any way possible.

The DSWD MIMAROPA taps different partner organizations for the sustained delivery of the FDS and YDS for the 4Ps beneficiaries in the region.

“These partner organizations willingly provided their resources and expertise to ensure that all beneficiaries will still be reached and avail our FDS. Some are tapped as RPs for the regulated face-to-face FDS, FDS on Air (radio and TV) and FB Live ”, said by the Regional Family Development Session Focal Jan Veronica Arapeles.

Since the restrictions on mass gatherings due to the pandemic have been implemented, development sessions were conducted through Facebook Live Streaming hosted by Provincial and Municipal Operations Offices and in partnership with organizations like Hope Channel Philippines (owned by Palawan Adventist Mission) based in Palawan.

According to Arapeles, DSWD MIMAROPA is very grateful for all the help received from partner stakeholders just to ensure that all beneficiaries were reached and proper information were given to them while still following health and safety protocols.

The DSWD MIMAROPA also ensured that beneficiaries who do not have access to the media used were reached through the production and distribution of FDS reading materials.

The attendance to FDS is one of the conditionalities of the 4Ps that shall be attended by one responsible member of the household which aims to develop the relationship of the family members and enhance the parenting skills of the parent or guardian of the children grantees. ###