The Romero Family of San Agustin, Romblon is Pantawid Pamilya MIMAROPA’s Huwarang Pamillya 2019

Malate, Manila – On June 4, 2019, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA announced the Romero Family of Brgy. Bachawan, San Agustin, Romblon as this year’s Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2019.The Search which commenced on 2012, was conducted yearly to showcase the improvement in the lives of the family beneficiaries as the fruits of their own hard work and inspire the whole country despite the challenges they experience brought about by poverty.

The Romero Family is an active beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since 2010. Tess, the mother, is a sales lady, while Felix, the father, is a farmer and is serving as a barangay kagawad. The couple has seven children namely: John Paul, Dannica Joy, John Vincent, April Joy, Felix III, Princess Ella May, and John Angelo.

Tess and Felix’s income cannot always provide the needs of their children especially in school.  Hence, they raise their children to be contented on what they have and to be more understanding of their situation. As the children experience the hardships in life due to poverty, they become more determined to work hard to improve the life of their family. All of their children excels in school and they are also active in different school and community activities.

“Nagsisikap po kami talagang magkakapatid kasi gusto namin na masukllian ang pagod nila Mama at Papa at sila naman ay mabigyan ng kaginhawaan,” said April Joy, the 4th child.

Dannica Joy, the second child, has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in 2018. When she and her eldest brother, John Paul, were both in college, John Paul has to stop going to school to work as a security guard in Manila to help in financing the needs of their siblings. But as soon as Dannica Joy graduated, Felix encouraged John Paul to continue studying so he can fulfill his dream of graduating in college.

The family has also been inspiring their community not only because of their strong family relationship but also because of their compassion to others. Through the leadership and initiative of Felix, a foot bridge was built to cross the river dividing Sitio Iso and Sitio Agnaga.

“Dati rati po kasi tumatawid sila ng sapa habang pasan pasan ang kanilang mga kopra tapos ang mga estudyante malayo naman ang nilalakad para hindi mabasa ng tubig,” narrated Felix. Because of this, he encouraged the community members in both sitios to join together to create a foot bridge. Felix’s family provided foods for the volunteers until the construction of the bridge has finished.

Ultimately, the Romero Family maintain a God-centered life, demonstrated positive Filipino values, and created an impact to their community. With their acts of kindness, respect, humility, and love, the family has been recognized as a huwarang pamilya.

Aside from the Romero family, four families from other provinces of the region has also been recognized. The Orense Family of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro has been awarded the 2nd place, while the Sucidor Family of Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro got the 3rd place. The Cayapas Family of Roxas, Palawan and the Acuzar of Gasan, Marinduque got the 4th and 5th place, respectively.

On September 29, 2019, the Romero Family will represent the MIMAROPA Region in the National Family Day Congress to be conducted in Metro Manila. They will also be invited to be awarded during the DSWD MIMAROPA’s Regional Search for Exemplary Children 2019 on October 11, 2019 also in Metro Manila.

Pantawid Pamilya launches its Bata Balik Ekwela Campaign to the different provinces of MIMAROPA Region to encourage students who are not attending school to continue studying

Malate, Manila – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office MIMAROPA through Pantawid Pamilyang Pamilya Program launched the Bata Balik Eskwela Campaign on May 20, 2019 as part of its efforts to encourage children beneficiaries to enroll in school and maintain their attendance in class. With tagline, “Edukasyon ay Mahalaga, Ito ay ating Ipaalala”, the campaign will continue until the end of enrollment which is set on August.

In order to sustain the compliance of the beneficiaries to the program’s conditionalities especially in education, the Pantawid Pamilya rolled out the Bata Balik Eskwela Campaign or BBE which is targeted mainly for Pantawid children who are not currently enrolled and not attending.

“The campaign was launched to encourage Pantawid children who are not attending school to continue studying so that they will fully utilize the program’s benefits,” said DSWD MIMAROPA OIC Regional Director Floreceli G. Gunio.

The different Municipal Operations Offices (MOOs) of Pantawid Pamilya set up information booth during Brigada Eskwela as part of the campaign to provide consultation to parents and children who are not attending school (Photo from Buenavista, Marinduque)

The Pantawid Pamilya provides conditional cash grants to the poor Filipino families, investing on health and education of the children. It provides P300.00 for every family who are compliant to its health conditionalities while another P300.00 for every monitored child who maintains 85% of their attendance in pre-school and elementary while P500.00 for those who are studying in high school. Only three children of the household-beneficiary can be monitored.

“Through the campaign, different reasons for not attending school were identified such as early pregnancy/fatherhood, bullying, gender-based violence, loss of interest, and working among others. These serve as guide to manage the cases of the children and provide them proper interventions,” explained Gunio.

Before the launch of the campaign, the Regional Office of Pantawid Pamillya convened all social workers of the DSWD Field Office MIMAROPA to create an action plan based on the different reasons for not attending school. These strategies have helped the field staff of the Provincial Operations Offices (POOs) in the execution of the campaign which include setting up of information desk during Brigada Eskwela; conducting focus group discussions to both parents and children; and tapping Alternative Learning System (ALS) coordinators to provide orientation about other modes of education offered by the Department of Education (DepEd) which they may also attend in lieu of the formal regular classes if they were not able to finish elementary or high school or have not attended school at all. In Oriental Mindoro, Pantawid Pamilya field staff conducted a stage play in every municipality. The stage play commenced on May 22, 2019 in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro and will continue until June 28, 2019. The play demonstrates stories of the beneficiaries and their struggles in life especially in gaining access to education. Through the stage play, the field implementer aim to exhibit the different means which beneficiaries may adopt in order to respond with their problems to allow them to continue studying.

Moreover, the program coordinates with the schools and Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs) to discuss the involvement of the school’s Child Protection Policies and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children in the implementation of the campaign. Starting June until August, the field staff will conduct case management, group work, and monitoring for those students who did not enroll for School Year 2019 to 2020.

“It is hoped that through these efforts, the importance of education in providing a better future will be instilled in the minds of the children beneficiaries,” Gunio said.

As of March 2019, there are 14,872 identified children beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya in MIMAROPA Region who are not attending school.  ###

MALATE, Manila— The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to release cash gifts to 34 centenarians in MIMAROPA region this year.

The Centenarians Acts of 2016 or Republic Act 10868  states that all Filipinos who live to 100 years, otherwise known as a centenarian, will receive a centenarian gift of P100,000 whether living in the Philippines or not.

“Of this year’s target centenarians, three were already paid amounting to P300,000.00.  There are 34 centenarians subject for validation in terms of age, while some of them are now complying with all the requirements,” said senior citizen sector focal Lordessa Fe  Gilera.

The Department has allocated P3.9 million for the 2019 centenarian targets.

Based on DSWD records, a total of P2.3 million cash gifts released to seven centenarians in Oriental Mindoro; four in Occidental Mindoro; one in Marinduque; five in Romblon; and six in
Palawan in 2018, Gilera added.

Under the law, centenarians will also receive a plaque of recognition and a cash incentive from their respective local government units.###

MALATE, Manila– According to the Listahanan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a total of 93,352 fisherfolks were identified in MIMAROPA region based on the 2015 household assessment.

From the figure, 49.8% or 46,523 fisherfolks aged 15 years old and above are poor.

May 31 is declared as the National Fisherfolks Day to give recognition to the rightful stewards and beneficiaries of our oceans and its natural resources as well as our lakes, gulfs, bays and other fishing areas.

Listahanan, a government mechanism to identify who and where the poor are, recorded Palawan province has the highest percentage of poor fisherfolks with 52.9% (29,998) followed by Occidental Mindoro with 51.7% (6,391); Romblon with 47.4% (4,006); Oriental Mindoro with 39.8% (3,723); and Marinduque with 36.9% (2,405).

Of the total identified poor fisherfolks, 95.8% (44,563) are male and 4.2% (1,960) are female.

In terms of educational attainment, 3.9% or 1,808 fisherfolks have no grade completed; 28.6% (13,310) of poor fisherfolks graduated from elementary; 12.3% (5,742) graduated from high school, and 0.2% (101) graduated from college.

Three Palawan towns have the most number of poor fisherfolks identified:  Balabac with 156, Taytay with 83 and Coron with 71.

As an intervention, DSWD has provided livelihood assistance to 23,987 fisherfolks regionwide under the Sustainable Livelihood Program amounting to P159 million since 2011.###

Gasan, Marinduque – In line with the celebration of the Holy Week, beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in MIMAROPA, particularly Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Sustainable Livelihood Program, put up a booth for the conduct of product display in the municipality. Through the help of the local government unit and Municipal Action Team of Gasan, they were able to showcase their handmade products. They have targeted the tourists who came to experience and witness the famous Moriones Lenten Rites.

All products were consolidated and displayed on April 15, 2019, the opening ceremony of various booths across the municipality. SLP and 4Ps staff worked together to make this activity possible. This has also been assessed as an opportunity to showcase the skills and creativity of the beneficiaries.

Some of the items which have been displayed in the booth are products from the previous activity of 4Ps in relation to saving the environment. These include recycled bags, throw pillows made of plastic, and flowers made of plastic bottles. This initiative provides a possible market for their products to be noticed by potential buyers and partners. There were also nito and bamboo products such as placemats, kitchen utensil holders, food cover, and baskets which can be personalized upon request to the beneficiaries.

Holy Week celebration, having a high-foot traffic, is a strategic opportunity for the marketing of products of the beneficiaries. For the past few years, this has been a week to capacitate them so they can be ready for the whole business operation in the future. ###

Contributor:

Pamela Ligas, Project Development Officer II, Marinduque

Malate, Manila – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program recognizes the efforts and services of partner stakeholders (Pantawid Focals) from the schools and health centers through conducting the Search for Best Pantawid Focal on Health and Education on April. The activity is part of the efforts of the program to strengthen partnership with different stakeholders for a more effective and efficient delivery of the program’s services and initiatives.

Since its implementation, the program has been partnering with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DepEd) to monitor the compliance of the beneficiaries to the program’s conditionalities on health and education. The schools and health centers assign a Pantawid focal to submit the necessary documents to verify their compliance.

The Search for Pantawid Focal provided Certificate of Recognition to all focal persons who have been serving for more than 2 years. Meanwhile, the focals on health and education who have exerted efforts beyond their duties and responsibilities to ensure the welfare of the beneficiaries were given the title Best Pantawid Focal on Health and Best Pantawid Focal on Education.

Each province nominated their best Pantawid focal on the Health and Education Category. The finalists in the Health category are: Eden Favila of Panitian National High School, Sofronio Española, Palawan; Cesar G. Castillo of Dayhagan National High School, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro; Geralyn Fajilan of Mabini National High School, Corcuera, Romblon; Jessie G. Santiago of Magsaysay National High School, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro; and Ma. Luisa C. Fellizar of Timbo Elementary School, Buenavista, Marinduque. Meanwhile, for the Health category, the nominees are: Elvira A. Manga, of Dumarao Barangay Health Station, Roxas, Palawan; Lina F. Fruelda of San Roque Health Station, Corcuera, Romblon; Carmelita T. Disor of Rural Health Unit, Lubang Occidental Mindoro; and Nelly T. Lusterio of Bansud Health Center, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

After the screening and validation of Pantawid MIMAROPA, Nelly from Bansud Health Center, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro was awarded as the Best Pantawid Focal on Health while Geralyn from Mabini Nationl High School, Corcuera, Romblon, was awarded as the Best Pantawid Focal on Education.

Aside from serving as a Midwife III in Bansud Health Station, Nelly T. Lusterio was assigned as the Pantawid focal on health in the municipality since the start of the program in 2009. Throughout her years in service, she assures that the beneficiaries of the program will receive the right health services and attain knowledge on the significance of availing these services especially the Indigenous People (IP) beneficiaries who constitute a great portion of the families she monitors. She conducts home visitation to beneficiaries who are non-compliant to follow-up on the reason of non-compliance and to explain to them the importance of the program and its advocacies on helping them through investing on health and nutrition of their families.

Meanwhile, Geralyn, a Pantawid focal on Education for four years, has been providing services to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beyond her duty of monitoring the compliance verification of the program’s monitored children in Mabini National Highschool in Brgy. Mabini, Corcuera, Romblon. She established the 4Ps Club in 2018 to organize the 412 student beneficiaries of their school in strengthening the advocacy of the program. Through this club, Geralyn aims to strengthen the sense of responsibility and leadership of the students as well as boost their confidence of being a Pantawid beneficiary.

Both Pantawid focals will attend the National Partnership Summit in Metro Manila on May to be awarded together with the other focals of the region.

The program will continue its partnership with DepEd and DOH in line with its objectives to invest on the health and education of the children to improve their quality of life. ###

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department of Justice (DOJ)- Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP), and the City Government of Puerto Princesa signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the operation of the Bahay Kanlungan sa Paliparan (BKP), the Airport Halfway/Safe House for at-risked and trafficked Persons.

As members of the Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), the agencies involved pushed for the realization of the BKP to serve as a temporary shelter for persons-at-risk and trafficked persons, especially women and children.

In the latest data available, a total of 100 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases have been recorded from 2011-2018 in MIMAROPA. Of the 100 cases, Palawan holds the highest record with a total of 61 cases intercepted. In addition, victims coming from other cross-regions using Palawan as a backdoor exit has virtually increased. Most of these victims come from Central Visayas (53), Central Luzon (52), CALABARZON (45), National Capital Region (37), Davao (13) and Cagayan Valley (12). In total, TIP cases coming from other regions hit a 280-record.

CAAP will be funding the construction of the facility allotting a total of 30 Million peso Gender and Development (GAD) fund. Once done, BKP will provide a 24-hour service or a one-stop-shop, including temporary protective care and psychological services, counselling, and other services to walk-in, referred, and rescued victims of human trafficking.

“CAAP commits that our resources will be utilized to support a national agenda,” said CAAP Asst. Director General Atty. Joseph Rey Gumabon.

On the other hand, the DSWD will be providing technical assistance in handling trafficking cases and victim processing, as well as the provision of necessary funds to cater the victims. While the PGP and the CGPP will be providing funding for the necessary operations and maintenance of the BKP.

“As co-chair in IACAT, we, in the department, has been an active partner in combatting [human] trafficking,” shared DSWD Undersecretary for Operations, Aimee Torrefranca-Neri. According to her, the construction of the BKP is a welcome development not only in MIMAROPA, but also in the whole country considering BKP in Palawan is just the first of its kind.

BKP is expected to be in operation in the year 2020.

Provincial Governor Jose CH. Alvarez, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary George Orcullo Ortha, DOJ-IACAT Executive Director Rudiger G. Falcis, and DSWD MIMAROPA OIC-Regional Director Floreceli G. Gunio were also present during the MOA Signing.

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