As part of convergence initiatives, the Municipal Action Team of Boac is currently participating in Marinduque Expo 2019 held on April 14-21, 2019 in Moriones Arena in Boac. The provincial government, along with the Department of Trade and Industry, conducts the exposition as part of the yearly celebration of Moriones Festival. The expo, which started in 1998, aims to promote the products of Marinduque during Lent.

During the Parent Leaders’ meeting, MAT Boac conducted an initial consultation with Pantawid beneficiaries for the consolidation of data on existing products in the municipality. Bangbangalon Consumers Cooperative, the leading Sustainable Livelihood Program Association in Boac, attended and gave their full commitment to the initiative. They consolidated all the products of the beneficiaries and manned the booth during the expo. Other associations that participated were the Federation of Marinduque Agriculture Cooperatives (FEMACO) and Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

According to Ezra Mae Reforma, MAT BOAC member, initiatives like this provide an avenue for Pantawid beneficiaries to showcase their skills in cooking, handicraft making, and others. Also, the activity has provided a market for the products, contributing to the objective to attain sustainability. “One of the problems encountered in this livelihood project is the lack of market opportunity and advertising skills to market their products. Because of this initiative, beneficiaries will have an access to market for their products and provide additional income to the members. The Bangbangalon Consumers Cooperative plans to establish this kind of initiative as their primary business and be the first SLP Association to consolidate different DSWD-assisted products in Marinduque. This will be more possible with the aid of different government agencies such as DTI, Marinduque State College, Department of Agrarian and Reform, and Local Government Units.” she added.

“It is tiring but indeed joyful to do this kind of business. It is our first time engaging in retail business, selling not only our products but also the products of other beneficiaries. We also learned how to deal with different type of customers,” shared Annielor Lamoc, Chairperson of Bangbangalon Consumers Cooperative.

This activity aims to promote the products and showcase the stories behind. Through their participation in similar activities, they show that they are proactive and not dependent on the grant received by the program.

Contributor:

John Paul Abaincia, Project Development Officer, Marinduque

Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro – Hindi hadlang ang layo ng mga benepisyaryo sa Sitio Ibugan, Sitio Baluoy, at Sitio Cabcabo sa Barangay Cabacao, Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, upang mabigyan ng serbisyo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Noong Abril 3, 2019, ang mga kawani ng programa mula sa Abra De Ilog, na sina Project Development Officer Lucita Estonactor ng MCCT IP at si Municipal Link Jay-ar Ortega, ay tumawid ng pitong ilog

upang makapagsagawa ng Community Family Development Session (CFDS) na isang aktibidad ng programa upang bigyan ng kaalaman ang mga benepisyaryo nito tungkol sa programa at iba pang mga paksa na makakatulong sa kanilang pamilya. Tanging kariton na dala ng kalabaw at paglalakad ang kanilang transportasyon upang matunton lamang ang 26 na benepisyaryo sa ilalim ng Regular Conditional Cash Transfer (RCCT) at 11 na Modified Conditional Cash Trasher for Indgenous People (MCCT-IP) sa lugar na ito.

56 parent leaders listening during the forum on electoral education initiated by MAT Gasan

Gasan, Marinduque – Less than three months away from the 2019 midterm elections, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office MIMAROPA’s Municipal Action Team (MAT) of Gasan held a Voter’s Education Forum with the parent leaders of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the Gasan, Marinduque on March 26, 2019.

The activity, in partnership with the Office of the Mayor, Commission on Election, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) of Gasan, Marinduque aims to create awareness and educate the partner beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya about the Voters Counting Machine, Election Ban, different campaign issues and the characteristics or quality that they should look for in choosing the right candidate. Moreover, it aims to encourage beneficiaries to become active citizens during the election period.

With the theme “Gandang Gasan, Boto ko! Kinabukasan Ko!”, the forum gathered a total of 56 Pantawid Pamilya parent leaders. The event was officially opened by the Personal Secretary of the Mayor, where he acknowledged and commended the initiative of the MAT for the activity. According to him, this would be of great help to educate the people especially the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to choose the right candidate with such developmental agenda who will protect the interest and welfare of the critical mass and will help in the improvement of lives of the poor families.

Mr. Menandro Layag Jr., Municipal Election Officer of Gasan introduced the new sample ballot that will be used on the May 2019 election. In line with this, he also discussed every feature found in the ballot to be filled up during the actual casting of votes. In addition, he also highlighted the importance of marking the ballots properly stating: “your votes will be wasted if it cannot be read by the machine”.

Mr. Benmar Cadag, Municipal Link in Gasan, Marinduque, discussing the program advocacies relating to 2019 Elections

Meanwhile, PO3 Jasmin Sol of PNP Gasan discussed “Oplan Sita” due to the election ban. She explained the procedure on how the PNP personnel would undertake the Oplan Sita during checkpoint. The PNP is appealing to the people to avoid or refrain from doing any violation that would lead for their apprehension.

To finish, Mr. Edgardo L. Guevara, Municipal PPCRV Coordinator discussed the quality that a leader must possess which a voter must look into. While the right choice ultimately depends on the voter’s preference, he recommended applying the assessment criteria composed of intelligence, integrity, inclusiveness and innovation. He also stressed that by evaluating candidates using each category, he hoped that voters would be able to look beyond the typical motherhood statements of candidates to find someone who is capable and truly committed to service. He later added that the impact of the choices they make extends beyond the future generations.

MAT Gasan is expecting that this activity would not only be of great help to educate our beneficiaries but as well as to achieve a clean, honest and peaceful election.  At the end of the forum, the Parent Leaders and Program staff thumbs up and shout out loud “Gandang Gasan: Boto ko! Kinabukasan Ko!” in support of this advocacy campaign.

(Contributed by: Benmar Cadag)

Beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya receiving cash grants during off-site transaction payout in Coron, Palawan

Malate, Manila – The off-site transaction payout for partner-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in MIMAROPA Region will be delayed for the months of March and May 2019 due to the end of contract of partner conduits of the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP).

The cash grants under Period 6 (December to January) and Period 1 (February and March) will be received after Landbank has procured another partner conduit who will help them in distributing the cash grant to areas which have limited Landbank branches.

The program ensures that the delay of payout is not due to cash grants being used for election campaigns. The agency does not hold any of the cash grants since the Landbank is responsible of keeping and distributing it to the partner beneficiaries.

Pantawid Pamilya MIMAROPA has been coordinating with Landbank to arrange the schedule for the next off-site transaction payout.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries with cash cards can coordinate with their Municipal/City Links and/or Municipal Roving Bookkeeper (MRB) for the exact schedule of payouts considering that the top ups and loading of cash grants are put on hold until further notice from the DSWD. ###

Pinangunahan ni Ruby Lopez, ALS coordinator, ang pakikipagusap sa mga benepisyaryo upang patuloy na pumasok sa eskwelahan

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro – Alinsunod ng programang Konektado ng Municipal Action Team ng Puerto Galera, matagumpay na isagawa ang community and facility visit sa isa sa pinakamalayong sitio ng bayan, Sitio Sipit Saburan, Barangay Villaflor ngayong Marso 8, 2019.

Layunin ng nasabing gawain na makapagbigay ng agarang solusyon sa mga benepisyaryo na hindi nakakasunod sa kondisyon ng programa sa edukasyon na sanhi ng malayong eskwelahan sa mga tahanan ng benepisyaryo.

Nagbigay rin ng iba pang mga paalala ang kawani ng Pantawid Pamilya para sa mga batang benepisyaryo

Kasama ang grupo mula sa Alternative Learning System(ALS) sa pangunguna ni Ruby Lopez, Puerto Galera ALS Coordinator, at mga kawani ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program sa Oriental Mindoro, nagkaroon ng pagbabahagi ng mga updates sa programa ng Pantawid at pati na rin sa programa ng ALS. Hinikayat ng bawat isa ang pag eenroll ng mga bata sa ALS, lalong higit ang mga mag-aaral na di nakatuntong ng sekondarya dahil sa sobrang layo ng paaralan sa kanilang pamayanan.

Nakapagtala ang grupo ng ALS ng 30 na bata na nais mag-aral sa nasabing programa sa Hunyo, at inaasahan na ito ay dadami pa sa susunod na mga buwan.

Patuloy ang MAT Puerto Galera na magbigay ng tulong sa mga benepisyaryo ng programa upang sila ay patuloy na makatanggap ng serbisyo at iba pang interbasyon mula dito at sa iba pang mga ahensya ng gobyerno. ###

Contributed by: Reylyn Villena

135 benepisyaryo ang dumalo sa isinagawang Family Day sa Barangay VI, Balabac, Palawan

Balabac, Palawan – Dinaluhan ng 135 na aktibong benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ng Barangay VI sa bayan ng Balabac, Palawan ang isinagawang Family Day noong Pebrero 25, 2019 sa  Balabac National High School covered court. Nagsimula ang aktibidad ng alas-10 ng umaga hanggang alas-4 ng hapon sa pangunguna ng sama-samang pagtutulungan ng Municipal Action Team (MAT) ng Balabac, Palawan kasama ang limang parent leaders ng baranggay.

Isingawa ang Family Day para sa mga benepisyaryo ng programa kaugnay ng kanilang diskusyon sa kanilang buwanang Family Development Sessions upang sariwain at mas makilala pa ng lubusan ang kahalagahan ng pamilya lalo’t higit ang maisaalang-alang dito ang pagkakaroon ng magandang relasyon sa isang pamilya na kung saan ay malaya ang bawat kasapi nito na maipadama ang kanilang nararamdaman at maisabulalas ang kanilang mga saloobin. Ito din ay isinagawa upang mabigyang kasiyahan ang bawat pamilya ng benepisyaryo ng programa sa baranggay.

Isa sa mga layunin ng aktibidad ay magbigay ng kasiyahan sa mga benepisyaryo nito at paigtingin ang relasyon sa loob ng kani-kanilang pamilya

Pinuno ng mga masasayang palaro, paligsahan at patimpalak ang aktibidad. Aktibo rin namang nagpakitang gilas ang mga benepisyaryo sa pakikilahok sa mga aktibidad na ito at sa paghahandog rin ng isang sayaw. Isa sa mga inabangan sa aktibidad ay ang isinagawang kauna-unahang “Search for Gandang Nanay ng 4Ps 2019” na nilahukan ng apat at talentadong mga benepisyaryo. Si Nur-in Depaloma ay ang itinanghal na kampeon sa naturang paligsahan na ito.

Nang siya ay tanungin ukol sa kaniyang opinyon sa isyu na ang mga benepisyaryo ng 4Ps ay hindi na halos nagsusumikap na maghanapbuhay dahil sa sila’y umaasa na lang sa perang kanilang natatanggap mula sa 4Ps, sinabi niya na ang pamilya niya ay nagsusumikap, kasama ng iba pang mga benepisyaryo upang mabuhay.

“Siguro meron nga pong iilan na umaasa nalang, pero kami ay nagsusum

Isa sa mga Inabangan ay ang paligsahan ng mga nagagandahang benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya

kap naman naman na buhayin at maibigay ang pangangailan ng aming pamilya. Hindi naman kakasya at makabubuhay sa amin ang cash grants mula sa 4Ps dahil maliit lang naman ito, ngunit malaki nading tulong para sa amin lalo na sa pagpapaaral sa mga anak namin para maiangat ang aming buhay. Pero kami at lalo na ang asawa ko ay talagang nagtitiyagang magtrabaho para mabuhay,” dagdag ni Depaloma.

Matapos ang mga inihandang aktibidad, nagkaroon din ng pagbabahagi ng mga sertipiko na kumikilala sa sipag at kontribusyong nagawa ng limang parent leaders sa tuloy-tuloy na pagpapatatag sa pagpapatupad ng program. Ginawaran din ng sertipiko ang Balabac National High School sa pamumuno ng kanilang mahusay at butihing principal na si Antonio Pungyan, at ang mga nagsilbing hurado sa pagandahan ng mga nanay na sina Japhet Tirambulo, Nancy Tirambulo, at Bidalia Capinpin na pawang mga parent leaders din mula sa ibang barangay ng poblasyon ng Balabac, Palawan dahil sa kanilang naiambag sa tagumpay ng nasabing pagdaraos.

Sa huli, nasaksihan ng bawat isa na sila’y naging masayang masaya sa kanilang Family Day mula sa simula hanggang sa pagtatapos nito. Ayon sa kanila, nawa’y magkaroon na ng regular na ganitong aktibidad para sa kanila taun-taon. ###

Contributor:

Prinz Jordan Arzaga Tumulak, Municipal Link, Balabac, Palawan (Writer)

Jordan Abalona (Photos)

Abra De Ilog boasts its high mountains and vast farm lands which makes agriculture the main livelihood of the population. One of the associations that thrives in this business is the Cabacao Unlad Saka SLP Association that started in June 2016. Almost all the members were already farmers who aspired to earn more by creating an association.

Upon market analysis, the SLPA identified rice and corn production as a viable livelihood considering the terrain of the province. The association president, Nerlita Venturanza, merged the two Sustainable Livelihood Program associations: the Rice production and Corn Production. Through this, the resources of the associations are maximized for higher profit.

AFTER PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Aside from the additional income they earn from farming, the association has already produced assets including varieties of seeds and farming machines. Also, they grabbed the ‘Best Dressed Carabao and Kariton’ during the Piyesta ng Abra De Ilog last 2017. The association is currently supplying the local market of Abra De Ilog since the transaction is fast and hassle-free but they are already planning to increase the quantity of their production to expand in the neighboring provinces.

For 120 cavans of rice or corn, a member earns a gross income of Php 40,000.00 per harvest. The SLPA also offers microlending service for the members. They contribute Php 50.00 every meeting to serve as their capital. The income from the 3% interest rate goes to the savings of the association.

They have received a total of 4 water pumps, seeds, and mobile dryer from the Department of Agriculture for their rice and corn crops. Also, members grab every opportunity to learn additional knowledge on farming through attending seminars and training near the area. There are members who explored other livelihood to provide for their family.

KWENTO NG PAGSIBOL

Nerlita Venturanza, SLPA President, shared that what challenges her the most as a leader is the lack of persistence of some members. Despite this, she doesn’t get tired explaining the end result when they work hard, be resourceful, and wait patiently during tough times in farming. She shared, “Ang nakatulong talaga sa amin para i-manage ang mga members ay ‘yung pagtuturo sa kanila ng ethics. Dahil alam nila kung ano ang nararapat gawin, mas magiging tapat sila sa tungkulin dito sa asosasyon.”  

“Malaking tulong yung starter kit na binigay samin dahil nangungutang lang ako dati sa traders pero nang maging member ako ng SLP, ang panimulang kapital ang ginamit ko para makaipon ng kaunti. Ngayon, hindi na ko mag-iisip pa saan kukuha ng pantanim sa susunod sa cycle,” shared Nerlita.

The association used every equipment they have to maximize their production volume of rice and corn. Through this, members are able to build their personal livelihood assets including additional livelihood, household items, tuition fee for their children, and many more.

One strategy members do is they leave a portion of their earnings in the association as their personal savings. Through this, they are able to save enough capital for the next planting season. As Nerlita says, “Sa mga kapwa magsasaka, ano mang tulong na natatanggap ay dapat magamit sa maayos, ilagay sa maayos.” ###

MCCT-IP beneficiaries of Brgy. Ipilan with SSI Project on Organic Agriculture

Hidden in the foot of the mountain in Sitio Pangatleban, Brgy. Ipilan, Brooke’s Point, Palawan is a three-fourth hectare of farm of the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer Program for the Indigenous People (MCCT-IP).

The farm was established for planting different kinds of vegetables in 2015 through the Cash for Building Livelihood Assets (CBLA), a project under MCCT-IP for the beneficiaries of the barangay who are members of the Cuyunon and Palaw’an tribe. Through the project, they were able to gain income from it and has helped them in forming a strong relationship with their fellow beneficiaries.

“Isang magandang oportunidad po sa amin ang mabigyan ng ganitong proyekto. Hindi lang kami natututo, kundi nagkakaroon rin kami ng pinagkakakitaan dahil dito,” said Jenalyn L. Larawan, a MCCT-IP beneficiary.

The project has created an opportunity for the IP beneficiaries in the barangay to become economically empowered by providing them other sources of income.

Creating livelihood for the IPs

Most IPs in Brgy. Ipilan depends on farming as their main source of income to provide for the needs of their family. According to them, it is more difficult for them to find other opportunities compared to the people in the lowland since most of them were not able to go to school due to inaccessibility of education in their area.

“Dahil malalayo po ang aming mga bahay sa proper, mas nahihirapan po kaming magkaroon ng trabaho at ang tanging alam naman po namin ay na trabaho ay ang pagtatanim,” Jenalyn said.

MCCT-IP Organic Agriculture in Sitio Pangatleban, Brgy. Ipilan, Brooke’s Point, Palawan

After becoming beneficiaries of the MCCT-IP in 2014, they have learned the importance of conducting regular check-ups for the children and pregnant women, as well as the importance of education since those are the conditions of the program in order for them to receive financial assistance. Moreover, through their monthly Family Development Sessions (FDS) they have become more aware of their rights as IPs and it has helped them in strengthening their capacities in responding to their needs.

Part of the implementation design in MCCT is to generate appropriate resources and services for the IP. It differed to the regular Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as it offers Support Services Intervention (SSI) for livelihood aside from the regular benefits of receiving cash grants. The SSI component of MCCT aims to provide additional assistance to improve the current living condition of the IP families and communities. The livelihoods identified were coordinated with the program staff and community facilitators based on the needs of the community.

In 2016, the 40 MCCT-IP beneficiaries of Brgy. Ipilan were provided SSI on organic farming. The Pantawid staff organized forty beneficiaries from the sitio to come together to grow organic vegetables in a borrowed land. The beneficiaries have borrowed a three-fourth hectare of vacant lot to Pablo Rodriguez, an IP resident in their area who is not a Pantawid beneficiary, for their organic farming project.  The plot is part of his 6.6-hectare land which Pablo also uses for farming.

“Nagkasundo kami sa barangay at may kasulatan na ipapahiram ang lupa sa loob ng limang taon. Kapalit nito, binibigyan din namin siya ng aming mga tanim na gulay,” Jenalyn said.

The beneficiaries were provided with trainings through the coordination of Pantawid Pamilya with other agencies and organizations. They were also provided starter kits which include supplies and materials necessary for the operation of their organic farm.

The beneficiaries have planted different crops such as ampalaya, talong, okra, sitaw, and kalabasa among others in their farm. Since they are a big group, they divided the members and assigned tasks and schedules for them so that all of them will have equal works.

All of their hard work paid off after they have generated a total of P5,195.00 from their yield. However, months after, a typhoon hit their farm which destroyed their crops. The members have to re-plant the seeds and wait until it is ready for harvest.

Providing Better Opportunities

The organic farm of the MCCT-IP beneficiaries continued despite the challenges brought about by different environmental concerns. In 2017, 10 members from the group thought of planting mongo seeds specifically the kintab variety in their plot aside from the vegetable crops. Because of this, the Pantawid staff connected them with another program of DSWD, which is the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) for the Mongo Production through Microenterprise Development – Cash for Building Livelihood Assets (MD-CBLA). Through this, their group will be recognized as a micro-enterprise that can help them broaden their market. Through the help of both programs, they became a supplier of mongo beans to a Baby Food Facility in Brooke’s Point, Palawan which makes mongo rice for babies.

For the mongo seeds, Pantawid staff coordinated with the Department of Agriculture (DA) so that beneficiaries can be given the kintab variety. After 5 months, the group was able to obtain a total of P16,080.00, less their expenses. They deposited P13,000.00 of their income in the bank which they save for the future use of the members.

Meanwhile, other beneficiaries from their organic farm decided to plant 100 pieces of lakatan which allowed them to earn P2,249.00. They also tried planting a corn variety used for chicken feeds.

Harvested corn in their garden

Until now, beneficiaries are continuously planting in their organic farm to provide extra income for the members.

“Nagkakaisa po kaming ipagpatuloy ang aming taniman para rin po pangdagdag sa aming kinikita para sa aming mga anak,” Jenalyn explained.

She added that they wanted to continue farming as they wanted to venture on another business in buying and selling rice.

“Bukod din po sa kinikita namin dito, nakakatuwa po dahil makikita na sama-sama kaming mga katutubo sa pagtatrabaho para sa sari-sarili naming kapakanan,” she said.

The Pantawid Pamilya and the SLP continuously monitor both projects in order to empower the IP beneficiaries by bringing economic development to their lives. ###