Beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of DSWD harness life-saving skills in preparation for any eventualities, whether natural or man-made calamities, such as this in the hinterland Barangay of Hagpa, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon during their Family Development Session. Photos by Jed Ocay, Municipal Link of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon.

Written by: Oliver Badel Inodeo, DSWD

Photo Courtesy of Gretchen Jimenez, PDO II SLP, DSWD-10

Meet Remie Patalita Jr., a persistent young individual from Barangay Bukangliwayway, Kibawe, Bukidnon who recently earned a promotion as a Line Quality Control at the Hanjin Heavy Industries (HHI) and Construction Co. Ltd. Philippines in Subic Zambales.

Mr. Patalita was one of the 30 beneficiaries who completed Plumbing NC II, a technical course supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). For 20 days, the program beneficiaries went through vigorous and hands on training on plumbing to prepare them for possible employment.

Motivated by his dreams to develop education and support his family (a mother who is under medication and a younger brother in school), Mr. Patalita, worked his way to succeed.

Months after he completed the technical course, he submitted himself to a free Pipe Fitting NC II offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). He then worked as a trainee at the Cagayan de Oro City Water District Office for a month, to gain experience.

Given his credentials, he then received an opportunity to work as Pipe Fitter at one of the largest construction industries in the Philippines. This is an employment opportunity, which DSWD worked out and supported through SLP’s Pre-employment Assistance Fund (PEAF) amounting to Php 3,500.00, to complete his documentary requirements to take the job.

Since his employment, he was able to send about 50,000.00 to his family.

“The success of our program beneficiaries is our success as well”, says Gretchen Jimenez, the Project Development Officer for SLP, assigned in this municipality.

The SLP is a multi-stakeholder program of the department that aims to improve the standard of living of poor households by facilitating opportunities for development and management of resources viable for micro-enterprises, community empowerment through skills training and employment facilitation.

The provision of Technical/Vocational Skills Training and Pre-Employment Assistant Funds form part of the modalities of SLP to improve the employable skills of beneficiaries.

Written by JAMILA M. TAHA, DSWD

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In culmination of the National Women’s Month celebration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Policy and Plans Division, Women Sector, and in coordination with various partner organizations in the region recently conducted a culmination program for the month long celebration.

With this year’s theme “We make Change Work for Women,” various activities were conducted to give due recognition to women in society, who plays a crucial role not only in their families but also in the community as a whole.

This year’s theme also revolved around the impact of women towards change not only within themselves but also in their respective families and the locality where they are a part of.

One of the highlights of the activity were discussions on the Expanded Magna Carta for Women   and Magna Carta for Migrant Workers. Resource persons were from the Commission on Human Rights in the person of Atty. Pilipinas C. Palma (Atty. IV) and Ms. Fides Teresa M. Cabana (Information Officer II).

Participants of the activity included representatives of various women organizations in Northern Mindanao.

Other activities also included video showing and zumba session.  Client residents from the Home for Girls also participated in the said activity.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Aldersey dela Cruz, in her message lauded the women who have continued to play a very important role not only at home but also, in the communities where they belong.

She also stressed that women through time, have evolved from that of being merely homemakers to playing significant roles and responsibilities in the development of their society.  She also encouraged the participants to keep doing what they have started to do in being effective and efficient partners of men not only at home but also in their respective localities.

Written by, Mitzie Santiago,DSWD

As part of the mandate of the Department in providing technical assistance to Local Government Units , People’s  Organizations and Non-Government Organizations in the region,  a training on Mindfulness for Service Providers of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), was conducted recently.

The five day training was participated by Center Heads, Social Workers, Psychologist, and focal persons and Coordinators of the Regional Juvenile Justice Welfare Council.

The said training was conducted to fill in the need to conduct mindfulness to the implementers in order for them to have a better outlook specially to the clientele they serve at the Centers.

The main objectives of the training was also to enable CICLs  who are highly at risk of re-offending to develop and maintain positive and acceptable behavior, help dysfunctional families become responsive to the needs of the children for support and protection, and , to make community members become responsible in preventing juvenile delinquency.

Director Thelsa Biolena, of the Social Technology Bureau of the Central Office, stressed to the participants the importance of possessing multi-faceted skills in handling children specially that they are dealing with different types of attitudes and personalities.  Furthermore, she also reminded them to be kind , patient, persistent, and must have the endurance in handling children and to be at their level  in order not to be left behind.

The said training was also aimed to serve as a way of refreshing and energizing venue for their physical , mental, social, emotional and spiritual faculties of the participants  especially that they are already burned out and are heavily burdened  with the enormous task  placed upon their  shoulders as Social Workers.

Workshops and various stress debriefing activities were conducted within the training on which were actively participated by the Service Providers.

Written by, Mitzie S. Santiago, DSWD

As part of the mandate of the Department in providing technical assistance to Local Government Units , People’s  Organizations and Non-Government Organizations in the region,  a training on Mindfulness for Service Providers of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), was conducted recently.

The five day training was participated by Center Heads, Social Workers, Psychologist, and focal persons and Coordinators of the Regional Juvenile Justice Welfare Council.

The said training was conducted to fill in the need to conduct mindfulness to the implementers in order for them to have a better outlook specially to the clientele they serve at the Centers.

The main objectives of the training was also to enable CICLs  who are highly at risk of re-offending to develop and maintain positive and acceptable behavior, help dysfunctional families become responsive to the needs of the children for support and protection, and , to make community members become responsible in preventing juvenile delinquency.

Director Thelsa Biolena, of the Social Technology Bureau of the Central Office, stressed to the participants the importance of possessing multi-faceted skills in handling children specially that they are dealing with different types of attitudes and personalities.  Furthermore, she also reminded them to be kind , patient, persistent, and must have the endurance in handling children and to be at their level  in order not to be left behind.

The said training was also aimed to serve as a way of refreshing and energizing venue for their physical , mental, social, emotional and spiritual faculties of the participants  especially that they are already burned out and are heavily burdened  with the enormous task  placed upon their  shoulders as Social Workers.

Workshops and various stress debriefing activities were conducted within the training on which were actively participated by the Service Providers.

Written by: Mitzie S. Santiago, DSWD

Alfredo Nahial Jr of Mahinog, Camiguin Province, is the 2017 Modelong Ama ng Pantawid Pamilya National Winner.

Mahinog, Camiguin – A motorela driver here has been proclaimed as the grand winner of the Search for Modelong Ama by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Alfredo Nahial Jr. bested other 17 regional nominees to the national search of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) for all male beneficiaries who demonstrated promotion of gender and development by maintaining strong family ties, positive family values, and have positive impact in their respective communities.

A solo parent to four female children, Nahial serves as inspiration for all male beneficiaries and proof to the public that the program helps in achieving positive changes in the lives of beneficiaries though a gender sensitive program.

The Search for Modelong Ama looks for an exceptional male Pantawid Program beneficiary who is a father, a husband, or a   solo parent, with age of at least 28 years old. The nominee must also be free from any criminal liabilities, belongs to a household that is at least 85% compliant to all the program conditionalities, and a recognized role model within his household and community.

Alfredo’s wife left the family when their eldest was only 5 years old. Since then, he raised his children and provided for their needs through various works in a local mill, then as habal-habal driver and recently as motorela driver, a public local transport in Camiguin.

Despite financial challenges and the emotional burden of being snubbed by his wife for many years, he inculcated good morals to his children and respect for others.

 To date, all of his children are regular students and of good moral character with academic merits. He also supports a niece and a nephew. His children, with his eldest being 16 years old, are very much supportive of him and are looking up to him as their role model.

Alfredo “BemBem” Nahial, Jr with his eldest daughter.

He also devoted time to community activities. He is a social role model among parent leaders, majority of which are women, of the Pantawid Pamilya.

An active lay minister of the Roman Catholic Church here, Nahial is also a volunteer in disaster response, a president of the Parents-Teachers Association, and a volunteer for the projects of Kalahi-CIDSS NCDDP (Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan — Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services -National Community—Driven Development Program) of DSWD.

He also attended various trainings and seminars such as on Parent Effectiveness (PES) incorporating Empowerment through Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT), DTI livelihood trainings, among others.

During validation and interviews, Nahial displayed his capabilities in communication and in expressing his thoughts on positive discipline, on gender equality, on various laws relating to protecting the rights of children and women.

Alex Abaladejo Jr of Negros Island Region settled the 1^st Runner-Up post; Benny Binando of Region 2 (2^nd Runner-Up); Concrado Achuela of Region 1 (3^rd Runner-Up); and Martial Gepte Sr of Region 11 (4^th Runner-Up).

Alfredo “BemBem” Nahial Jr receives the award as the National Modelong Ama ng Pantawid Pamilya 2017. On stage is DSWD Secretary Maria Lourdes Turalde – Jarabe.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a national government’s intervention for poor families by investing in their children’s health and education. It also gives them access to livelihood opportunities in order to support them socio-economically.

Ms. Sionesia Besin, a program beneficiary from Manan-ao, Baroy Lanao del Norte during Rag Making Skills Training. (Photo courtesy of Franze Jemina Mapandi, PDO II, DSWD-10)

Lanao del Norte — The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development facilitated a two day Rag Making Skills Training of Fifty (50) program beneficiaries. This is in collaboration with Saint Michaels College Iligan City and the Local Government of Baroy, Lanao del Norte.

The program was designed by the school to inculcate social responsibility and participation among communities.

“We want to extend our services beyond the corners of our school and we are thankful to DSWD for this opportunity to work with the people on the ground”, says Director Korsiney Cabasis of Mother Ignacia Center for Social Responsibility.

The school supports the aims of SLP in improving the lives of the beneficiaries by developing their economic activities and commits to purchase the finished products of the program beneficiaries even after the skills training. The school shall purchase all on-hand rags of the group at a price of Php 25.00 per rag.

The SLP is a community-based capacity building program of the department that aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the program beneficiaries by facilitating opportunities for development and management of resources viable for micro-enterprises and employment facilitation.

Written by: Jamila M. Taha

Ms. Elma M. Ablan is one of the finest and hardworking personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10. Having to serve the office for fifteen (15) years as MOA or Contract of Service, is an unblemished indicator that more than the income, she is truly committed and compassionate about her responsibilities.

Elma, now a 39 year old mother of 2 children, began to work with the office as a volunteer houseparent in the Regional Reception and Study Center for Children (RRSCC) in 2001. As a houseparent, she attends to the basic needs of the children who are in the care of the center, providing motherly attention, safety and other housekeeping management and activities, all leading towards the better development of the children. For two years, she enjoyed the responsibilities, until she was designated with a new task as a Laundry Worker in 2003, still in the RRSCC. Her new duties still enables her to blend with the kids, whom she loves and who are in much better hands of registered midwives and nurses.

As a Laundry Worker, she maintains the cleanliness of the children’s clothing, the center’s orderly and organized interiors among other things. During her 15 years in service, she was able to participate in various life skills training such as Food Processing, Cookery as well as learning the basics of writing and other administrative tasks.

Her exemplary work performance has been recognized twice, being awarded as Best Center Staff during 4^th Quarter of 2014 and last October 2016.

Her husband is also an employee of the office as a regular driver. Her earnings was able to support her children, a son who is already in third year college, studying Information Technology in one of the finest colleges in Cagayan de Oro City and a grade two pupil. Indeed, DSWD really exemplifies its role in promoting social protection and social development.

Elma who is popularly known as “Giging” in the office, is described by her co-workers and center staffs as dedicated and responsible person, especially to her family. A very loving wife to her husband and mother to her children.

Elma’s long duration of service, has witnessed and undeniably contributed to the physical and overall progress of the center from Level 1 to Level 3 Accreditation, as accorded by DSWD’s Standards Bureau.

Written by: Jamila M. Taha

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