The Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD NCR) joins the celebration of the 68^th Founding Anniversary of DSWD with the theme, “DSWD Katuwang sa Pagbabago” last February 22, 2019 held at Ramada Hotel Manila.

The activity started with the invocation led by Ms. Michelle Addatu followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The opening remarks was given by the Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Ms. Maria Rosario C. Cuaresma as she welcomed the retirees and loyalty awardees in this momentous event as their untiring efforts and passion to serve the clients are recognized and appreciated, “I am very much impressed on the long years that you chose to stay in DSWD. Thank you for all the efforts and Serbisyong May Malasakit that you rendered through the years,” Cuaresma said.

On behalf of the Secretary, the inspirational message was delivered by the Chief Administrative Officer, Retired Colonel Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas. He emphasized the significance of the services given by the retirees and awardees which surely served as an inspiration to other employees of the Department. He said, “This is a rare moment that we are all gathered to celebrate and give gratitude to all our colleagues whose services change and transform many lives.  It is a moment to look back how Teamwork, Camaraderie and Friendship bring success to our work“.  

Intermission numbers were showcased by Mr. Ariel Gopela, Administrative Assistant III of Unconditional Cash Transfer; Ms. Arianne Chua, an award-winning child performer from RSCC and the GRACES dancers. Their music and performances serenaded the awardees, retirees, officials and DSWD NCR staff who participated in the activity.

The awarding ceremonies gave way to recognize 17 awardees for rendering 10 years in service, nine (9) awardees who served for 15 years, 17 awardees for 20 years in service, eight (8) awardees for 25 years in service, five (5) awardees for 30 years in service, three (3) awardees for 35 years in service and 12 retired awardees.

Ms. Marissa O. Ballon, Social Welfare Officer II at Elsie Gaches Village (EGV) and Loyalty Awardee shared her precious and memorable experiences with the Department as one of the loyalty awardees who served for 35 years. She expressed gratitude and happiness to the Department as her professional journey touched her and her family’s lives.    

“Marami akong mga pinagdaanan bago ako napunta sa EGV ngunit masaya ako sa lahat ng aking pinagdaanan at nagpapaslamat sa lahat ng tumulong at sa pomunuan ng DSWD na nagtiwala at patuloy na nagtitiwala sa aking serbisyo”. Ballon stated.

On the other hand, Mr. Ernesto Adriano Sr., Project Development Officer II of the Sustainable Livelihood Program shared his stories and the challenges he experienced throughout his 38 years.  

The program ended with the closing remarks delivered by Ms. Maridol Licerio, 68^th Anniversary Chairperson and Social Welfare Officer V of GRACES. She expressed her gratitude to the members of the committees as well as to all the staff who made the event and activity successful. “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumulong upang mapaayos ang event na ito at sa lahat ng ating retirees at awardees, magsisislbi kayong inspirasyon sa aming lahat sa inyong mga karansasan na inyong ibinahagi”. Licerio said.

This annual activity is celebrated to give appreciation to all the retirees and loyalty awardees who untiringly share themselves to deliver Serbisyong May Kalinga at Pagmamahal.  ###

“Maging determinado sa lahat ng gustong makamit sa buhay.”

Masipag, matiyaga, mapag-aruga sa pamilya at responsableng ina at asawa. Si Nanay Rovie Moncalvo ay 45 na taong gulang, orihinal na nanggaling sa Lungsod ng Pagadian. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay ay nakipagsapalaran siya sa Maynila kung saan niya nakilala ang kanyang asawa na si Ruel, isang tricycle driver na edad 45. Mahigit 18 taon na silang naninirahan sa Kamaynilaan partikular sa #468 NPC Mendrez St., Brgy.Baesa, Quezon City. Sila ay may limang anak, dalawang babae at tatlong lalaki. Ito ay sina Rovelyn na nasa kolehiyo, si Rosse Julian na nasa grade 10, si Fralex na nasa grade 8, si Royce na nasa grade 7 at ang bunsong anak na si Ronel na nasa grade 3 ngayon.

Si Nanay Rovie ay aktibong myembro ng programa noong 2014 at naging Parent Leader ng kanilang grupo ng kaparehong taon. Sa una ay hindi niya inakala na siya ay iboboto ng kanyang mga kasamahan bilang Parent Leader dahil siya ay tahimik lamang, laging nasa bahay at hindi nakikisalamuha sa iba. Sa simula ay natakot siya dahil wala raw siyang kaalaman sa paghawak ng ganitong posisyon hanggang sa napagtanto niya na maganda pala ang maging isang Parent Leader dahil nakakatulong siya sa kanyang mga kasamahan. Simula noon, nabago ang kanyang buhay. Ang pagiging Parent Leader ay isa sa mga nagbigay sa kanya ng lakas upang maging aktibo. Dahil dito, unti-unting niyang napapaunlad ang kanyang pagkatao. Natanto rin niya na mayroon pa pala siyang kayang gawin bukod sa pagiging maybahay. Malaki ang pasasalamat niya sa programa at sa kanyang mga kasamahan at napabilang siya sa mga Parent Leaders ng kanilang lugar. Dahil sa kanyang naging mga karanasan ay naging determinado siyang humanap ng trabaho na kung saan ay pwede niyang magamit ang kanyang mga kaalaman at karanasan na natutunan sa programa.

“Napakalaki ng tulong sa akin at sa aking pamilya ng programa. Ang tulong pinansyal ay napagkakasya ko sa gastusin ng mga anak ko, sa pagkain at eskwelahan tulad ng pambaon, medisina at iba pang pangangailangan nila sa eskwelahan habang sa aking personal na paglago, nahasa ang pakikipagkapwa-tao at pakikipagkaibigan ko,” sambit ni Nanay Rovie.

Noon, hindi lingid kay Nanay Rovie na kapos sila sapagkat kumikita ang asawa ni Nanay Rovie ng mahigit 500 pesos sa pagiging tricycle driver at ito lamang ang kanilang pinagkukunan.

Natakot si Nanay Rovie na hindi sumapat sa pangaraw-araw nilang gastusin kung kaya’t nagpursigi rin siyang humanap ng mapagkakakitaan para tumulong sa kanyang mister na masuportahan ang kanilang pamilya. Sa una ay inisip niyang mahirap na siyang matanggap dahil simula noong magka-pamilya siya ay namalagi na siya sa kanilang bahay. Ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin siya at dahil sa determinasyon, nakapagtrabaho si Nanay Rovie sa iba’t-ibang programa ng DSWD tulad na lamang ng Listahanan.

Sa ngayon, kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho sa programa ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program bilang Child Welfare Assistant si Nanay Rovie. Siya ay nag-waive sa pagiging miyembro ng programa noong taong 2016 dahil alam niyang kaya na niyang suportahan ang kaniyang pamilya at mayroon pang mas maraming matutulungan ang programa.

“Pangarap ko po na makapag trabaho at kumita ng sapat para sa pamilya ko, at ngayon ay may trabaho na ako. Dahil din po sa aking trabaho ay mas lalong lumawak ang aking kaalaman simula noong naging Child Welfare Assistant ako ng DSWD. Ang bahay din po namin na dati naming inuupahan, ngayon ay sa amin na. Binayaran ko po ng paunti-unti at ngayon nga, dahil sa pagtityaga at pagsisipag ay pag-aari na namin,” panapos na wika ni Nanay Rovie.

Ang kwento ni Nanay Rovie ay isa lamang sa maraming kwentong tagumpay na hatid ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD NCR) through the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) and the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW) both rehabilitation centers for Persons with disabilities in NCR gratefully received 27 Customized Wheelchairs donated by the Latter-Day Saint Charities (LDS Charities) and the Community Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation (CPREF) both Non-Government Organizations on February 15, 2019 at NVRC Covered Court.

Prior to the awarding of the customized wheelchairs, the recipients had series of fitting which to match with the client’s body size and features. The assembling and fitting were done by the CPREF Physical Therapists who specialized in customizing wheelchairs based on the needs of the clients. They also assisted the first time wheelchair users on the proper use of the device.

Ms. Cecilia Villagracia, NVRC Trainee said during the awarding ceremony, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagdonate ng wheelchair. Sa buong buhay ko, hindi pa ako nagkakaroon ng wheelchair dahil alam kong mahal at hindi talaga namin kayang bumili. Pero ngayon, mas mapapagaan na yung pamumuhay ko dahil nagkaroon ako ng ganito kagandang wheelchair.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Allan Togonon, Executive Director of CPREF shared message to the recipients and recommended tips on the proper use and maintenance of their wheelchairs. He also encouraged them to strengthen their physical bodies especially their upper limbs which are essential in the use of wheelchair.

“Our hearts are full on this act of gratitude as the needs of our dear clients were provided. We are really grateful” said Ms. Maria Rosario C. Cuaresma, OIC-Regional Director.

NVRC is a non-residential institution which provided training and rehabilitation program and services to person with disabilities (PWD) and special groups while RSW is a non-residential business-work oriented facility that provides sheltered employment opportunities to PWDs.

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“Imposible yan, mahirap mag tanim dito sa siyudad. Paano kami magatatanim eh wala nga kaming tirahan?”

Nanay Maricel Luyas, from Brgy. Catmon, Malabon City is one of the beneficiaries of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF) who received a starter kit for urban gardening after the Urban Gardening Demonstration and Distribution of Gardening tools for MCCT-HSF beneficiaries, an activity funded through Social Support Intervention held on February 12, 2019.

The 48 years old MCCT-HSF member is one of the informal settlers at Brgy. Catmon, Malabon City who was subject for relocation. Regardless of their present family situation, she was able to apply what she had learned during the demonstration and proved that if there is a will, there is a way in urban gardening. Nanay Maricel started seeding in front of their humble home after the three-day activity. She and her family enjoyed the fruit of her labor as they were able to harvest leafy vegetables which only proved that a family can live through Do It Yourself (DIY) gardening. She harvested mustard this first week of February and shared some of it to her friends in the community. Presently, she has mustard, onion, tomatoes, okra, malunggay and cabbage being cultivated in front of her house.

Gardening became part of Nanay Maricel’s life. It requires time, patience and passion to maintain her “sanctuary”. She emphasized the need of time because every morning, she waters the plants. It also serves as her morning exercise. It requires patience because it will take weeks and/or months before harvesting. She also added that gardening is also her stress-reliever. It makes her busy and whenever she has no laundry work, she attends on her garden.  

When asked if she encountered any challenges in taking care of her garden, she said that no amount of challenge can make her stop doing her passion.  

“Sana magkaroon pa ulit ng ganong aktibiti”. For passionate farmer like her, she hoped to be part of another activity on urban gardening to further increase her knowledge about it. “Maganda kasi, hindi na kami bumibili. Diyan na lang kami kumukuha,” she added.  

The Haven for Children joined in the celebration of the “Santos Frank Get into Rugby Junior Touch Rugby Festival” by participating in the activities last February 9,2019 held at Southern Plains. Canlubang Laguna, Tuloy Foundations, Parañaque Eagles, Tuloy sa Don Bosco and Santos Frank Knight Mavericks also joined the activity.

Touch Rugby refers to games derived from rugby football in which the players do not tackle each other instead touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothes or even the ball. A formal, competitive variety known as touch developed from rugby league and now exists as sport in its own right. In addition, touch rugby games are played as training activities for rugby league union, a safer variant of rugby, particularly in schools and junior clubs and as informal social sport.

Touch rugby was introduced by the well-known group Philippine Rugby Football union Inc. Since then, the game became popular to the residents of Haven for Children wherein the children enjoyed and loved playing the game. The sport helps build the children’s self-esteem, increase their socialization skills, communication skills, teamwork and their leadership skills.

The children gained experiences which are precious than the prize they received.  

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“If you want to be happy for a lifetime, be a gardener.” This quote may relate to the feelings of Pantawid Pamilya Parent Group named Tulip  which has 28 members who were involved in Urban Gardening at Gulod Novaliches, Quezon City. The group felt overwhelming happiness every time they visit or monitor their plants which they treated like their children. This worthwhile activity started in 2017 and until today, with pride, they manage to maintain their sanctuary. Most of their insets are chili and eggplants. The Tulip Parent Group decided to sell their harvested chili which gave income to the group members. This day to day activity is considered a blessing to them as it became sources of income as well as food for their family.  

In two years of the garden’s development, the Tulip group encountered challenges especially during rainy season which almost ruined all their plants. They just motivated each other that they will get through this as these are all part of the farmers’ journey.  Despite of this challenge, they continuously do their passion and devoted more time and effort to make their “haven” as one of the best urban gardens in Quezon City.

“Who said it is impossible to plant in the Urban Area? Urban Gardening is possible and it can be established if you are willing to give yourself and be patient enough to take good care of your plants like your own children. Surely, it will lead to positive results,” said by the members of Tulip Parent Group.

These lines describe how a vision can be realized through the active participation and dedication of the members of the community as shown by the Tulip Parent Group. ###

In line with the celebration of the Math week, the Educational Service of Marillac prepared activities for the elementary and high school students of Marillac Hills- Jose Fabella Memorial School to participate in the different activities held last January 30-31, 2019 at Marillac Hills covered court.

The Math week celebration aims to enhance and maximize the mathematical skills of the students as well as to improve their skills in problem solving with the theme, “Mathematics for International Competitiveness: Maximizing Skills toward Excellence”.  Different activities were arranged which include; Math Race, Math Loop, Math Wizard and Mathalino Challenge.

The two-day activity started on the 30^th of January 2019, with the Math Race competition and Math Loop wherein both activities practices the children’s ability to answer mathematical equations correctly in minimal time supervision.  On the second day, Math wizard and the Mathalino Challenge were played by the residents/ students. In this activity, the students got to use their ability in solving problems with the help of the choices provided.

Winners of the contests were acknowledged and awarded last February 4, 2019 after the Flag raising ceremony at the Marillac Hills covered court.

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“Every cloud has a silver lining” an old saying that resembles the journey of Aisha Sabral, a Sama-Bajau living in the streets of Manila. She became a member of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF) under Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.  The MCCT was a program that accommodates homeless street families, Indigenous People in Geographically Isolated Areas as well as Itinerant Indigenous People.

Living in the streets of Malate, Aisha experienced to be soaked in the rain, deprived of basic needs and discriminated.  Adapting to the bustling Metro was not easy for the Sama-Bajau.  Their traditional ways of life were far too different in the mainstreamed society thus, resorting to other means to survive like begging.  The girl experienced to play “tambol” and hop-in to every jeepney they see just to earn money and to survive. All of these might still be happening right now if they were not reached out by the Department through the MCCT.

When Aisha was included in the program, she was scared at first because she taught that the objective of the program is to bring them back to Zamboanga where armed conflicts and lack of employment opportunities were present. One of the provisions of the program to the homeless members like Aisha is the provisions of Alternative Family Home (AFH) and other Social Service Interventions depending on their need.  On April 2015, she was recommended to avail the AFH and recommended to work as a Street Assistant last October to December of the previous year. She was described as a good worker who did her job well and delivered reports on time. Currently, Aisha is a Day Care Assistant at Barangay 704, endorsed to Capital Assistance under LGU and Livelihood assistance under Heleos Foundation, one of the Department’s partners. Meanwhile, her husband, Allan Sabral is selling hand-made accessories.

Aisha Sabral actively participates in different activities concerning Sama-Bajaus such as fora, consultation dialogues and among others. She represented the Sama-Bajau in the recently held Forum of Indigenous Peoples. She even performed the traditional dance called Kulintangan on occasions to promote their rich culture.

“Kailangang magsikap at huwag sayangin ang tulong na aming natatanggap ngayon. Hindi kailangang umasa lamang sa natatanggap na tulong mula sa gobyerno sapagkat alam kong ito’y pansamantala lamang dahil sa mga susunod na panahon, ibang kapatid kong Sama-Bajau naman ang matutulungan ng programa,” Sabral emphasized when she was interviewed.###