Cagayan de Oro- The Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Listahanan/NHTS-PR (National Household Targetting System for Poverty Reduction recently conducted an Advocacy Summit here.

The Advocacy Summit was conducted back to back with the Pantawid Pamilya Dance and Educational Contest and was participated in by National Government Agencies , Civil Society Organizations,and Media Partners which included both those who have and have not engaged with the Department of Social Welfare and Development through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) relative to the utilization of the NHTS-PR /Listahanan data.

Listahanan or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) is the information management system that the government uses in identifying who and where the poor households are needing the various programs and services of the government and other major stakeholders. The database of Listahanan is being centrally managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Advocacy Summit was aimed to give recognition to partner agencies and Civil Society Organizations who have executed a MOA with the Department relative to the utilization of the Listahanan data and, to advocate to other organizations as well, to engage with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in order to be able to identify their potential beneficiaries who need the most of their programs and services.

Director Araceli Solamillo presented the Profile of the Poor in Northern Mindanao and the Updates on Listahanan. Testimonials were also given by representatives from Philhealth 10 and Safer River Life Saver Foundation on how they utilized the Listahanan data in identifying their beneficiaries.
Ms.Rosalina Huerbana, Executive Director of Safer River,Life Saver Foundation expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be able to execute a MOA and utilize the Listahanan data in order for them to focus on what most -needed services they can extend to the families living near the riverbanks .

Plaques of Recognition were also distributed to local partners in Northern Mindanao including the regional offices of the Department of Health, National Economic and Development Authority, Philhealth and the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority .

Other highlights of the Advocacy Summit were the signing of partners in the Commitment Wall , display of products of beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program, and the putting up of information tables for the various core programs of the Department .

Written by Mitzie S.Santiago, DSWD