The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) once again brought its programs and services to the residents of Pateros recently during the 11th Convergence Caravan held at the Pateros Elementary School in Barangay San Pedro. In partnership with the local government, the said caravan was attended by some 400 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the locality.
The Grade V – Section One pupils led the doxology, while Mrs. Irma E. San Pedro, school principal welcomed the participants and she encouraged the beneficiaries to value the cash grants from the national government.
Meanwhile, Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan of DSWD-NCR proudly shared with the officials and beneficiaries the compliance status of Pateros for the period January to August 2014. Thus, some 1,602 households were registered in Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Since the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya high school expansion, Pateros has registered some 750 children who are within the age bracket of 15-17 years old.
For the compliance rate, the LGU-Pateros ranked third place among the 17 LGUs in metro manila with 96% overall compliance to the conditions of the program; with 95% in the health conditionality, 99% school attendance of children, 88% attendance during Family Development Sessions and 100% administration of deworming pills to school-aged children.
Director Bonoan also acknowledged the efforts of Mayor Jaime C. Medina for having passed the ordinance that created the first Local Advisory Committee in Metro Manila.
Activities during the said caravan include: awarding of Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) capital assistance and medical equipment; message of commitment and support from key officials; testimonials from partners and beneficiaries of the program; and a dialogue between officials of DSWD-NCR, LGU-Pateros, and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.
The GK Ladies SEA-K Association is the lone recipient of the SEA-K capital assistance, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program – NCR. With 15 members, their capital fund is Php 60,000.00. Likewise, nebulizers and sphygmomanometers were given to the beneficiaries courtesy of the Local Government of Pateros. The Department of Agriculture from Region IV-A also provided vegetable seedlings to those who are interested in cultivating greens in their backyard. Nutri recipe cookbooks were also distributed by the National Nutrition Council to mother-grantees who have a knack for cooking delicious and nutritious meals.
Part of the program is the statement of commitment and support to the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya program. Representative Arnel M. Cerafica reiterated that compliance to the conditions of the program is imperative for the beneficiaries to consistently receive their grants.
For his part, Vice Mayor Gerald S. German said, “nakakatuwang isipin na may mga pagbabago nang nangyayari sa ating mga buhay,” referring to the Pantawid beneficiaries present. He then cited a situation when he was in Tagaytay City for an event and had to go to the nearest automated teller machine. While waiting, a group of ladies were excited in front of the machine as one of them made withdrawal. Vice Mayor German concluded that the Pantawid Pamilya program spreads happiness to its beneficiaries. He then committed to propose ordinances and resolution to improve implementation of Pantawid Pamilya program in their locale.
After that, Ms. Elsa Codillo shared the changes that the program brought to her and her family. Mrs. Codillo and her family was the nominee of Pateros in the recent Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya 2014. In her message, she said it was not easy to perform the dual role of a mother and father simultaneously. She then narrated how she started with the program. “Noong una, hindi ko alam kung anong programa ang aking sinalihan. Basta sabi sa akin ng mga kapitbahay ko, magpalista tayo. Kaya ako naman, sige ang palista.” As a parent leader, she said “natuto akong makisalamuha sa lahat, at naging aktibo ako sa iba’t-ibang organisasyon sa komunidad.” She then affirmed that it is not difficult to become a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilya, as long as you religiously follow the conditions of the program.
Andrei Louise Espino also gave his testimonial during the caravan. He is the nominee of Pateros for the Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child 2014. One of his accomplishments is that he is a Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) member in Pateros. In his message, he shared his experience as child beneficiary. He then thanked the officials of the LGU and DSWD-NCR present for having been included in the program.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ronaldo Raymundo of the Municipal Health Office of Pateros vowed to continue his support to the program, particularly on the monitoring of health compliance. “Patuloy na susuportahan ng health department ang Pantawid Pamilya dahil nakikita po naming mga health workers ang pagbabago sa buhay ng mga benepisyaryo.” He also shared that there were no maternal deaths recorded in Pateros since 2011, which he attributes to the significant impact of the program to the lives of the beneficiaries in Pateros.
In his inspirational message, Mayor Jaime C. Medina motivated the crowd by asking if they can manage the change in their lives, to which they replied in the vernacular “Kayang-kaya!” In his conclusion, Mayor Medina said: “nasimulan na ng inyong munisipyo ang paghahatid sa inyo mula sa kahirapan tungo sa kaunlaran,” referring to the beneficiaries in the hall. Afterwards, Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan awarded the certificate of participation to the local government unit of Pateros which was received personally by Mayor Medina.
Other services during the caravan include the showcase of SEA-K products courtesy of the associations under SLP, a registration booth for BPI Globe BanKo, retail of NFA Rice, Jobs Fair and Skills Demonstration on Beads making courtesy of the Public Employment Service Office and Diskwento Caravan of DTI – NCR. The LGU-Pateros also had their “Serbisyong Mas na Mas” where services such as Medical and Dental Mission, free haircut and reflexology, NSO birth certificate and Cedula application were offered to the participants of the event. ###