Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA awards the Municipality of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro as the Best Local Government Unit (LGU) Implementer of Supplementary Feeding Program’s (SFP) 8th Cycle this year.

“Patuloy po sana tayong magkapit kamay para i-promote ang children’s right to good health and proper nutrition,” [May we continue to work hand-in-hand to promote children’s right to good health and proper nutrition] said Alicia M. Cajayon, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of San Jose.

Moreover, Municipality of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro and Municipality of Sofronio Española, Palawan clinched 2^nd and 3^rd Best LGU Implementer award respectively.

The region also recognized Concepcion Norte CDC of Sta. Maria, Romblon as the Regional Outstanding Child Development Center, while Hacienda SNP of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro as the Regional Outstanding Supervised Neighborhood Play. Likewise, Blesilda A. Magsino of Abre de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro was awarded as the Most Outstanding Child Development Worker in the Region.

This year’s 2019 Stakeholders’ Conference and Awarding Ceremony of the Region’s Supplementary Feeding Program aims to recognize the efforts of the local government units and other stakeholders in the implementation of SFP in all the provinces of the Region.

Among the participants are Child Development Workers, Child Development Service Coordinators, Municipal Accountants, Nutrition Action Officer, Municipal and Provincial Social Development Officers, Regional Staff, Chief Local Executives, and partner agencies such as National Nutrition Council and Kabisig ng Kalahi.

Supplementary Feeding Program is the provision of food in addition to the regular meals to children currently enrolled in the Child Development Workers as part of the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government. For the 8^th cycle, the region serves 78,479 children under the feeding program.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development MIMAROPA, through the Social Welfare and Development Team of Marinduque, paid a visit to the newly-elected governor Hon. Plesbitero J. Velasco Jr. on September 25, 2019 at the Marinduque Provincial Capitol. Helen Alcoba, SWADT Leader, headed the courtesy call as she discussed the overview and status of the program implementation of the province.

Gov. Velasco expressed his support and noted that program beneficiaries should have their own livelihood that can support their families. He said he is willing to provide logistics support to the programs and services of the department. ###

Contributor:

Adonis Analista, Provincial Coordinator, Marinduque

The Sustainable Livelihood Program in MIMAROPA piloted the conduct of learning and development intervention for the 14 livelihood workers in Occidental Mindoro, with the support of the local government unit headed by Governor Eduardo Gadiano. The initiative was held on August 28-29, 2019 at Maru’s Food Lounge and Beachfront in Mamburao.

Last 2018 has been a challenge for the program as they have experienced a significant budget cut. This led to the downsize in the workforce from 195 to 56 staff across the region.

To aid the insufficient number of staff, the program thought of maximizing the role of livelihood workers provided by the LGU. They were introduced to the SLP guidelines and implementation process. This strategy aimed to provide a more efficient and effective service to program participants.

Mr. Alwyn M. Tulaylay, Provincial Coordinator of SLP Occidental Mindoro, headed the discussion of various program guidelines which the livelihood workers should be adept to. Also, Government Sector Partnerships Officer Ronaldo Meneses discussed the SLP Theory of Change and the concept of community organizing.

To level off the responsibilities of the livelihood workers, Mr. Tulaylay discussed the terms of reference. Livelihood workers are expected to assist in preparatory activities for program implementation; engage in social preparation and other capacity-building activities; mobilize resources for complementary and/or supplementary interventions from public and private sector stakeholders; conduct monitoring activities with community groups, leaders, and/or volunteers; and monitor and report project implementation to the PDO utilizing available tools and others materials as may be provided for such purposes.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program is one of the core programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It responds to the challenges of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. It is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status. It is vital in alleviating poverty due to its focus on capacity-building and provision of appropriate financial and technical assistance to the program participants. ###

“Mula sa tatlong biik mula sa SLP, nakapagpundar pa ako ng mga sisiw, at nang makapag-ipon pa ay nakapagsimula din ako ng sibuyasan,” ani Lizilita Ross, benepisyaryo ng Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Hindi naging madali kay Lizilita na bumangon mula sa pagkaka-aksidente ng kanyang asawa kung saan siya ay gumastos ng higit sa isandaang libong piso. Kinailangan niyang bunuin ang halagang iyon upang maipagamot ang kanyang asawa sa isang espesyalista. Bilang isang trabahador sa resort na kumikita ng Php 5200.00 kada buwan, naging masigasig siya sa paghahanap ng iba pang mapagkakakitaan upang mapunan ang lahat ng kanilang gastusin.

Nang maipakilala sa kanya ang SLP, tanging galak ang kanyang naging tugon. “Excited po ako dahil hindi pa man lang nangyayari, interesado na talaga ako,” ani niya. Ipinagpaliban niya ang dapat sana niyang pupuntahan upang makadalo sa pagtitipon ng SLP. Hindi naman siya nabigo nang makapasok siya sa programa. Nabigyan siya ng tatlong biik bilang panimulang kapital.

Matapos ang tatlong buwan ng pag-aalaga, naibenta niya ang mga ito sa halagang Php 23,000.00 sa kabuuan. Bilang isang matalinong negosyante, bumili pa ulit siya ng apat na biik at limampung sisiw para sa ikalawang cycle. Nang maipagbili ang mga alaga, umabot sa halos Php 40,000.0 ang kanyang kinita. Mula dito ay naipagawa na niya ang kanilang bintana at nakapagpa-tiles ng sahig.

Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa ikalimang cycle na siya kung saan naipagbili niya ang tatlong baboy at isandaang manok sa halagang Php 50,000.00 sa kabuuan. Ang Php 20,000 dito ay ginamit niya sa pagtatanim ng sibuyas. Hindi naman siya nagkamali sa pamumuhunan sapagkat ito ay kumita ng Php 224,000.00 noong anihan. Kaya naman, nabili na niya ang katabing lote ng kanilang kasalukuyang bahay.

“Naranasan ko na walang bigas, walang kape. Ang mga anak ko naglalakad sa kainitan makapasok lamang sa paaralan. Ang bahay namin ay dampa. Kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala na kaya naman palang umangat kahit kaunti basta pursigido ka sa buhay. Ngayon, ang mga anak ko de-serbis na. Ang bahay namin kahit papaano ay sementado na. Naibili ko din ng tricycle na pampasada ang asawa ko. Ang mga kapitbahay ko napapahiram ko na din minsan sa oras ng pangangailangan,” ani niya.

“Pag binigyan ka ng kabuhayan, mahalin mo,” ito ang tanging payo ni Lizilita sa mga katulad niyang nagsimula sa maliit na negosyo na napalago dahil sa sipag at tiwala sa kakayahan. Tunay ngang ang pagpupursigi ang magiging sandata ng sinumang nagnanais na umangat ang kabuhayan. ###

Naujan, Oriental Mindoro — “Tinitingnan ko lang po ‘yung picture, alam ko na kung paano gawin,” answered Ronjo Cayetano, the elected secretary of Creations SLP Association, when asked about his inspiration in handicraft making.

The association is a startup microenterprise established by 15 members based in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Colorful bags and wallets made of plastic straw can be found in their production center. Mga Likha ni Inay, Inc., the marketing program of CARD-Business Development Service Foundation Inc., is one of their target markets for their products. They have already made initial communication with the foundation to assist in product selling.

“Si Ronjo ang isa sa mga pinakamasipag na trabahador dito sa SLPA. Kahit na mayroon siyang kapansanan, tuloy-tuloy lang ang paggawa niya. Hindi siya dumadaing,” said Gliceria Castillo, the association president who supervises him at work.

“It was an Accident”

Everything was fine for Ronjo, 23 years old, until the year 2010. At that time, he was a 1^st year high school student in Naujan. “Nakaupo ako sa garden kasama ‘yung mga kaklase ko. Naghaharutan at nagtutulakan sila ‘nung aksidente akong nabagsakan sa likod ng isa kong kaklase,” he narrated. “Kinapos ako ng hininga sa simula kasi yung likuran ko ‘yung napwersa. Tapos after noon um-okay naman na kaya akala namin wala ng problema,” he added.

Few months after, Ronjo transferred school from Naujan to Batangas since his brother based in Batangas will support his studies. Since then, everyday felt different for him. “Isang beses nagpunta ako sa kapatid ko tapos pagbaba ko ng jeep napaihi na lang ako sa shorts,” said Ronjo as he narrates how he lost his bladder control which he relates to his previous accident. “Nakauwi na ako sa bahay tapos kinabukasan paggising ko tatayo sana ako para pumasok sa school pero bumagsak na lang ako. Hindi na nakatayo tapos tuluyan na ‘yun,” he said. He was diagnosed with scoliosis and later on Pott’s disease, a form of tuberculosis seen in the vertebrae. The doctor advised him to undergo spinal bracing which costs Php 100,000.00, but he and his family had no amount of money then. “Natakot po ang inay dahil malabo daw ang chance na gumaling at makalakad pa ako kaya inuwi na lang ako dito sa Mindoro,” he narrated.

No Excuses

Ronjo got depressed for what happened to him which resulted to sudden weight loss. “Yung aksidente never ako nanisi ng tao sa nangyari sa’kin. Hindi niya sinadya. Iniisip ko na kapalaran ko ito at binigay sa’kin. Kelangan ko ito paglabanan,” he said. Watching online inspirational videos helped him cope with his depression. He also reads bible and became an active member of the church. 

Before the livelihood intervention of DSWD, Ronjo is already active in handicraft making, particularly origami. He learned this while browsing art magazines during his fourth grade. “Mahilig na talaga akong magkutingting kaya noong napilay ako, mas in-improve ko na lang ang mga nalalaman ko sa mga gawang-kamay,” he said. Some of his works include paper swan, pencil holder, minions, peacock, and flower vase. It was in 2015 when he totally pursued his craft. He messaged the page of Origami Pilipinas to ask for employment but instead the association provided him with a capital assistance worth Php 2000.00 for the materials needed in origami. He posts his creations in his Facebook page, Ronjo’s Paper Art.

Knowing his skills in handicraft making, his neighbor asked him if he is interested to join the Creations SLPA and he certainly enlisted for it. “Na-discover ko na marami na pala akong nagagawa kahit naka-wheelchair ako,” said Ronjo. Aside from handicraft making, he also enrolled in Alternative Learning System of Department of Education and attended trainings on basic accounting and bookkeeping. A few months ago, he also earned his Contact Center Services National Certificate (NC) II of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). “Malaki bagay para sa’kin na nai-involve ako sa mga ganitong bagay dahil alam ko na ‘yung gawa ko hindi pa best. May i-improve pa. Bilang may kapansanan, motivation ko ang family. Since then, pangarap ko na maiangat sila sa hirap pero nagkaganito nga ako. Sa kabila noon, nagkaroon din ako lakas ng loob na kahit ganito e kakayanin pa din,” said Ronjo.

As one of the agencies supporting the Republic Act 10524 or the act expanding the positions reserved for persons with disability, DSWD provides equal opportunity for employment to PWDs to assist them to become productive members of the society. The intervention of SLP in Ronjo’s passion in handicraft making also attests to the Solidarity and Innovations in Bridging Opportunities for Livelihoods (SIBOL), the brand awareness campaign of Sustainable Livelihood Program. ###

“Noong bata ako, hindi ko napapansin na may kapansanan ako. Noon na lamang po na lumalaki ako hindi na ako sinasali sa mga field demonstration. Nakikita ko ‘yung mga kaklase ko sumasali sa street dancing,” narrated the 34-year old Mc Dommel Aldaba of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro.

Mc Dommel was stricken by poliomyelitis or polio, an infectious viral disease that can cause foot deformities or worse permanent paralysis, at nine months old. Being the firstborn of the family, his parents feared for his condition. They were clueless how it happened and why it had to be their son to be affected. They weren’t prepared for the medication. More than that, they were never emotionally prepared for the possibility of their son being bullied in the future. “Hindi naman po ako nakaranas ng sobrang pambu-bully. Noon na lamang po na nag-highschool ako, hatid sundo ako ng tatay ko. ‘Dun ako nakaranas na ma-bully. Kaya ‘dun ako nag-aral magbike. ‘Yung tatay ko kasi laging nasasangkot sa gulo dahil nawi-witness niya ‘yung pambu-bully sa akin. Nakakapanakit siya ng estudyante kaya nagpursigi talaga ako mag-aral magbike,” said Mc Dommel.

Mc Dommel started to feel the effect of polio during his adolescence period. “Hindi na po kinakaya ng binti ko ‘yung upper body weight kaya nananakit na mga tuhod ko ‘nun,” he narrated. He consulted a doctor if he needed to use crutches, but his doctor did not allow him since it may cause muscle buildup, leading to heavier upper body weight. Instead, he was advised to continue biking as a form of leg exercise. He has already traveled using his bike from San Teodoro to Puerto Galera, which has a distance of approximately 21 kilometers. “Sinet ko na sa isip ko na kelangan patuloy ko gamitin ‘yung binti ko. Na-res earch ko na ‘yung mga nalulumpo dahil sa aksidente kaya lumiliit mga binti nila kasi hindi nila nagagamit. Nagkakaroon ng muscle loss. Para ma-delay ang process, kelangan mag-exercise. Biking lang talaga hanggang maaari every three days na long ride. Malaking bagay. Dati nakakarami ako ng pahinga then eventually nakayanan ko na derecho na walang pahinga dahan-dahan lang para ‘di mabigla,” he said.

Mc Dommel completed a two-year course in Calapan City, an associate degree in Technology major in Electronics. “After gumraduate, nasimulan naman po itong aming negosyo kaya kulang po ang maghapon para makapag-entertain pa ako ng mga repairs,” he narrated. “Actually hindi po ako aware na may ganyang program [skills training] dahil abala po ako dito sa kabuhayan namin, sa paggawa ng pork barbecue. From morning to evening, gawa lang po kami ng gawa dito. Bukas po ang tindahan namin sa hapon,” he shared. Then one day, the secretary of the focal person of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in San Teodoro informed him that there was an opening of training on electronics. He applied for it and successfully became a trainee.

Mc Dommel, along with 26 other participants in the first batch, trained for 33 days under the Wellcare Institute of Science and Technology (WIST), the official partner and service provider of SLP. His skills expanded when he became a trainee of SLP. He learned product assembly, power supply, troubleshooting, and CCTV installation. “Nung nag-aaral po kasi ako more on troubleshooting lang kami. ‘Nung nag-EPAS ako, dun lang po ako na-expose. Mas nahimay po sakin ‘yung detalye. Although may background po ako sa electronics bago sumali sa SLP, marami pa din ang naging bago sa aking experience dahil matagal din akong hindi nakapag-practice,” he shared.

Student-Turned-Instructor in an Instant

Mc Dommel recounted how he felt before graduating. “Noong matatapos na po ang training namin, ibinalita na po sa amin na lahat ng trainees after makalusot sa medical exam ay made-deploy as OJTs sa Laguna. Nalungkot po ako noon dahil ‘yung mga classmates ko made-deploy as OJT tapos ako balik dito,” shared Mc Dommel.

Right after receiving his Electronics and Product Assembly Servicing National Certificate II (EPAS NC II), WIST offered him a teaching position as an assistant instructor for the succeeding batches of EPAS which he gladly accepted. He did not expect this kind of opportunity to come his way. “Naging napakabilis ng flow of events kasi trainee biglang naging instructor. ‘Nung una may kasamang kaba dahil first time ko po made-deploy sa malayo. Sa Mansalay. Bale mga 100 kilometers po ang layo mula sa San Teodoro. Ang training period ay 33 days,” he narrated. His first teaching class included out-of-school youths, undergraduates, and housewives. After this batch, WIST offered another assignment to him in Pangasinan where he worked for almost four months.

Mc Dommel expressed his sincerest gratitude for giving him the opportunity to grow in his chosen career. “Napakalaking bagay po as experience aside po sa nagkaroon ako ng additional skills ay nagkaroon din po ako ng pagkakataon na makapagturo sa mga bata, mga out-of-school youth, nagkaroon po ng mga bagong kaibigan sa ibat-ibang lugar, at higit sa lahat ay nakatulong sa pamilya,” he said when asked on the impact of the program to his life.

More that these, he became more involved in the community. He has explored his leadership skills. “Hindi ako aware sa samahan, hindi talaga ako mahilig maki-involve sa mga community activities hanggang sa na-appoint ako na president ng PWD dito sa barangay namin. Lately lang ako nagiging active. Nayaya ako ng focal person namin na umattend sa Calapan sa assembly ng mga PWD sa kapitolyo,” he said.

This opportunity helped Mc Dommel to save some amount of money. Also, he was able to buy things he needed for his condition such as cane. “Yung tungkod na ginagamit ko po ay pahiram lang sa’kin ni Madam Makiss [DSWD staff]. ‘Nung nakaipon-ipon po nakabili na din ako ng sarili kong tungkod,” Mc Dommel narrated. He was also able to save some money since he started as an instructor.

Sustainable Livelihood Program provides access to employment opportunities to people like Mc Dommel who belongs to the disadvantaged sector of the society. Mc Dommel represents people with disabilities who do not succumb to their condition, rather push their limits to become better at what they do. ###

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

“Dito kasi sa trabaho ko, hawak ko ang oras ko. Hindi naman kasi lahat ng gustong magtrabaho ay applicable sa kanila ‘yung sabihin mong normal na office hours. Tulad ko na mayroong tatlong anak, hindi kakayanin ng oras ko na magfull-time lalo at nagtatrabaho din ang asawa ko. Walang mag-aasikaso sa mga anak namin. Kailangang gumawa ako ng paraan kung paano ako kikita na hindi napapabayaan ang mga anak ko. Naging posible ‘yan nang makapag-training ako sa SLP,” said Daisy Masendo, a Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) beneficiary and a massage therapist in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.Despite the fact that a large number of Filipinos out-migrate to earn for a living, many Filipinos like Daisy still choose to settle in the country to seek for job opportunities even if the income is way lower, sometimes do not offer enough compensation. This manifests that priorities and considerations vary among individuals. In Daisy’s case, she has to find a job that has flextime and near her house so she can still take good care of her children. Wish granted for her when she entered SLP.

Daisy, 36 years old, works as a massage therapist for more than a year in White Beach Resort, a modest beach front in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Back in January 2018, she was given an opportunity to be a trainee on massage therapy through the intervention of SLP. Even before getting her National Certificate (NC) II, she was already accepting massage services along with her sisters who are also therapists. “May araw talaga na kahit maraming tao wala talagang gustong magpamasahe. Pag walang massage, nagbe-braid na lang,” she narrated.

“Dito sa Puerto [Galera], mayroon kaming asosasyon ng lahat ng masahista. Dati higit sa isandaan kami pero ‘yung iba tumigil na kaya 80 na lang kami ngayon,” narrated Daisy. “Isang requirement ng asosasyon ay ‘yung magsuot kami ng uniform, may color coding bawat araw para makilala kami na kapag nakasuot kami ng ganitong uniform eh malaman na lehitimong masahista kami dito. Pagkakakilanlan kumbaga,” she added. They apply for business permit worth Php 550.00 in the barangay yearly. They are also required to have sets of uniform for a week.

Daisy starts her day at six o’clock in the morning. She walks around the beach yelling “Sir, Ma’am, pa-massage na po kayo. Pa-braid po kayo,” while holding a piece of laminated catalog of various braided hairstyles where customers can choose from. This is her everyday script to ask for customers to avail the massage and braid services she offers. She usually wraps up the day at five in the afternoon and rushes her way home to prepare for dinner. “Pag peak season at maraming nagpapamasahe e 12 am na ako umuuwi. Sinasamantala ko lang yung pagkakataon na maraming customer at bibihira lang naman ito. Kelangan kumayod,” she said. During this season, she can accommodate ten customers for the whole day. The hourly rate of massage for Filipinos is 300.00 and 500.00 for foreigners since they have bigger body built. She provides for the beach towel, scrub suit, massage oil, alcohol, and sphygmomanometer for the customer.

“Hawak ko oras ko. Pupunta ako ng umaga [sa beach] tapos uuwi ng gabi. Malapit lang naman bahay namin dito. May time ako makapag-asikaso ng anak kaysa aalis pa para mag-abroad. Mas pinili ko ito dahil walang amo. Sakin lang ang kita ko,” she answered when asked about her reasons for choosing a job with a flexible schedule. “May araw na hindi ako pwede lumabas dahil kelangan ko mag-alaga ng bata, mag-asikaso. Tapos ‘pag may tumawag eh isa o dalawang oras lang naman, ihahabilin ko muna ang bata. Kung may amo ako eh hindi pwede. Ang nag-aalaga ay ‘yung anak kong panganay na 13 years old. Naturuan ko naman paano mag-alaga. Papakainin lang naman basta may luto na kaya na nila,” she added. Daisy stressed the importance of instilling independence to her children at a very young age especially that they are working parents. “Yung asawa ko naman eh ang trabaho niya nasa malapit lang. kapag break sinisilip-silip niya. Sanay sanay lang kelangan matuto at nagtatrabaho parehas kaming mag-asawa,” she explained.

“Yung kita nagagamit sa pagkain, baon ng estudyante, bayarin tulad ng kuryente at tubig, pati hulog sa card. Kapag mahirap ka, doon lang naman talaga umiikot ang kita mo eh,” Daisy enumerated where she uses her income from massage. Having another source of income helped the family provide for their daily expenses.

Daisy also explained the importance of resource allotment for a job like hers with no fixed income per month. “Ang sistema eh ‘yung araw na marami kang kinita e titipirin mo ‘yun para sa mga araw na wala kang kita. Sariling pagtitipid. Ikaw na lang ang magba-budget. Hindi ‘yung ubos-ubos biyaya. Kunyari kumita ka ng malaki ngayon, bibilhin ko na lahat ng pangangailangan tulad ng grocery, pagkain, mga basic needs. Tapos kunyari kinabukasan eh kumita ulit ako, ilalaan ko naman para sa school ng bata. Sa gantong paraan, hindi na ako mamomroblema kasi may bigas na, may pang-ulam na,” she expounded.

Also, Daisy and her co-workers make sure to contribute to the maintenance of the beach. Their association, along with the barangay officials, signed a resolution pertaining to the cleanliness of the beach. “Para makatulong sa kalinisan ng beach, yung asosasyon namin eh may regulation na dapat lahat ng masahista ay mag-contribute ng 100.00 sa loob ng tatlong buwan para magbayad sa tagalinis ng beach. Ito ay usapan kasama ang barangay, tulong sa pagpapanatili ng linis ng lugar,” she explained.

The story of Daisy proves that the program is true to its objective to create an enabling environment for accessing income-generating opportunities to address basic needs, thereby improving the socio-economic well-being of its participants. “Malaking tulong ang SLP dahil napagkakakitaan ko talaga lahat ng natutunan ko sa training. Hindi nasayang ang ginastos sa akin ng gobyerno,” Daisy said. ###