RD Vincent Andrew T. Leyson of DSWD-NCR signs the Memorandum of Agreement for renewal of partnership with other SWD-L Net members last August 3, 2017.

In connection with the celebration of the 10^th year anniversary of the Social Welfare Development Network (SWD L-Net), a strengthened partnership was forged once again with the Department of Social Welfare and Development –National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) last August 3, 2017 in Makati City Hall.

The said partnership was testified through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between SWD-L Net members and DSWD-NCR led by Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson. RD Leyson conveys his enthusiasm on the renewed partnership. He stated that “This partnership testifies the establishment of our further commitment to our beneficiaries. We will be able to continue our efforts and collaboration to provide a true service that is testament to maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo sa bayan.”

SWD-L Net members and DSWD staff who participated in the signing ceremony for the renewal of the MOA took a group photo before the activity ends.

The SWD-L Net was established in 2007 to ensure accessible and quality delivery of social welfare and developmentcapability building programs and activities to LGUs, NGOs and other partner intermediaries. Its membership includes participants from non-government organizations, government agencies and academic institutions. Through the renewed partnership, it is expected that stronger ties will be produced to continue the organization’s mission as anchored in the organizational output of the DSWD.###

Sa gitna ng mga hamon na kinakaharap sa larangan ng pagbibigay serbisyo publiko, hindi maitatangging mayroong mga kawani ng gobyerno na buong-loob na pinagtatagumpayan ang mga balakid na kaugnay ng tungkulin.

Isa sa mga kawani ng gobyerno na patunay ng determinadong pagbibigay-serbisyo ay si Bb. Trixia Mae Ombrog, isang caseworker ng Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families (MCCT-HSF) ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) na nasa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na naghahatid ng tulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilyang naninirahan sa lansangan. Bilang isang caseworker, apat na barangay mula sa District 1 ng Makati City ang kanyang pinapangunahan kung saan ay isa at kalahating taon na niyang ginagampanan. Dito ay isinasagawa niya ang mga kaukulang serbisyo na naaayon sa mga benepisyaryo ng programa sa pamamagitan ng paghahatid ng paglilingkod na higit pa sa naaayon.

Sa pagsasagawa ng regular na Family Development Session (FDS) na isa sa mga pangunahing gawain sa ilalim ng Pantawid Pamilya, tinitiyak ni Bb. Ombrog na ang bawat benepisyaryo ay aktibong nakikiisa sa mga gawain na nakalaan para sa pagpapa-unlad ng kanilang kamalayan. Ngunit mayroong mga pagkakataon na personal na bumibisita ang nasabing kawani sa mga pamilyang “non-compliant” upang alamin ang dahilan ng hindi pagdalo sa mga nasabing sesyon. Dito ay pinapangasiwaan niya ang  pagdaraos ng “one on one FDS” na kung tutuusin  ay hindi naman bahagi ng kanyang tungkulin, ngunit dahil sa pagmamalasakit niya sa mga benepisyaryo ay isinasagawa niya pa rin ang mga ito upang masiguro na ang pamilya ay makakatanggap pa rin ng mga naaayon na benepisyo ng programa.

Pinapangunahan ni Bb. Ombrog (dulong kanan) ang pakikipagpanayam sa mga mag-aaral na kabilang sa programa ng Pantawid Pamilya upang malaman ang kalagayan ng kasanayan ng mga ito sa pag-aaral.

Buong sigasig din na isinasagawa ni Bb. Ombrog angpaggabay sa mga batang mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng masusing pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga mga Focal Facilities patungkol sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Dahil dito, natutulungan niya ang mga bata na maitaas ang estado ng kasanayan at matulungan din ang kanilang mga magulang na maging responsable sa pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga anak. Maaasahan din ang  nasabing kawani sa pagbibigay ng maagap na tugon sa mga benepisyaro na nakararanas ng abuso mula sa mga miyembro ng kanilang pamilya. Sa katunayan, si Bb. Ombrog ang mayroong pinakamataas na naitalang kaso ng mga benepisyaryo ng programa na naresolbahan sa lokal na Pamahalaan ng Makati sa pamamagitan ng maigting na pakikipag-ugnayan sa barangay at mga akmang ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan.

Tinitiyak ni Bb. Ombrog na naipaparating sa mga benepisyaryo ng programa ang mga kasanayan at kaalaman na naaayon para sa kanila.

At dahil sa taglay na pagmamalasakit sa kanyang pinaglilingkuran, tinitiyak ni Bb. Ombrog na naihahatid sa kanila ang mga serbisyong maaari ring makuha mula sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan na may kakayahang magbigay ng mga karampatang proyekto at kasanayan para sa mga benepisyaryo. Aniya, “Di natin kailangang tumigil at makutento sa mga serbisyo na mayroon lamang ang ating ahensya, bagkus ay kailangan nating mag-mobilize at mag-outsource upang mapunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan. Think out of the box, magiging special ka kung ang limitasyon mo ay ginagawa mong kalakasan na magdudulot ng mas malaking advantage para sa ating lahat.”

Maliban dito, ang maabilidad na kakayanan ng nasabing kawani ay nakatulong upang mapaayos ang pamumuhay ng ilan sa mga benepisyaryo ng MCCT upang mapabilang sa Regular Conditional Cash Transfer (RCCT) ng programa. Gayon din naman, ang masigasig na panguguna ni Bb. Ombrog sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga ahensyang pangkabuhayan ay nakatulong upang mabigyan ng trabaho ang mga benepisyaryo na siya namang patunay ng masidhing aksyon at pamamagitan na naisagawa ni Bb. Ombrog sa mga pamilyang ito.

“Minsan ang mga limitasyon ay kailangang tingnan bilang isang oportunidad na matuto at upang magbigay motibasyon upang makatulong sa iba. Walang puwang ang salitang sapat at kontento sa kung ano man ang mayroon tayo, sa halip kailangan nating gumawa ng paraan upang magbukas ang mga pinto ng mga serbisyong makatutulong sa ating mga benepisyaryo”, dagdag pa niya.

Ito nga ay patunay lamang na si Bb. Ombrog ay isang kapuri-puring kawani ng gobyerno na handang maglingkod sa kabila ng mga hamon at balakid na bahagi ng tungkulin. Isa siya sa mga na nagpapatotoo na higit na mas mangingibabaw ang serbisyong may malasakit upang makapagbigay ng produktibo at mahusay na serbisyo publiko.###

DSWD-NCR and Unilever Philippines bosses shake hands after signing the partnership agreement for the activity “Knorr Lutong Nanay School of Recipes” on July 24, 2017 in Taguig City. Present in the signing of agreement are (L-R) Ms. Kristine A. Go, Marketing Director – Foods Business, Unilever Philippines; Mr. Jose Edgardo G. Sunico, VP- Sustainable Business and Communication, Unilever Philippines; Chairman and CEO Benjie Yap, Unilever Philippines; DSWD-NCR’s Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson; and Ms. Ada A. Colico, DSWD-NCR SWO V IDD Chief/ Regional CSO Focal.

With the aim of countering malnutrition through proper education and budget, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) signed a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Unilever Philippines on July 24, 2017 at Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City for the conduct of the activity “Knorr Lutong Nanay School of Recipes”.

The said activity is in support with Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program’s Family Development Session (FDS) which aims to benefit more mother and children on the basic knowledge regarding proper nutrition and preparation of delicious and nutritious meals that are within the budget. It will be piloted in 28 barangays of Taguig City for the months of July to August 2017 where beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya are at 8,494 active members. In addition, beneficiaries will also be given “Nutri-Budget Journal” which contains tips and recipes on the preparation of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The partnership agreement was joined by DSWD-NCR’s Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson and Ms. Ada A. Colico, DSWD-NCR SWO V IDD Chief/ Regional CSO Focal and Unilever Philippines’ Chairman and CEO Benjie Yap; Mr. Jose Edgardo G. Sunico, VP- Sustainable Business and Communication, and Ms. Kristine A. Go, Marketing Director – Foods Business.

Mr. Uael Canoy, Brand Manager of Knorr, led the training sessions for caseworkers and Citylinks in preparation of the Family Development Session of “Knorr Lutong Nanay School of Recipes.”

A training session conducted by Mr. Uael Canoy, Brand Manager of Knorr, and Ms. Joy Bueviaje, Unilever’s Food Nutritionist, followed after the signing of agreement. This was attended by Citylinks and caseworkers from DSWD-NCR in preparation for the activity’s practical conduct among beneficiaries in the areas. ###

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and DSWD-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson signed another set of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with six (6) public hospitals in NCR last July 12, 2017 at East Avenue Medical Canter, Quezon City for the intensification of the implementation of “Libreng Gamot Para Sa Masa” (Lingap SA MASA) program.

The signing of the agreement was joined by East Avenue Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine Heart Center.

The primary goal of the said agreement with the hospitals under the Lingap sa MASA program is to provide free medicines to indigent and vulnerable population from the National Capital Region, whereas the DSWD through its Crisis Intervention Unit provides the necessary assistance that is needed.

Secretary Taguiwalo further stated the importance of the Lingap sa MASA program and how the poor and vulnerable can avail the benefits of it as well as the scope and limitations on availing  the medicines from the trusted three (3) leading pharmaceutical comapnies in the National Capital Region. She added, “Pagtulungan natin na magamit ang programang ito sa tama, isa itong pandugtong buhay na magbibigay ng pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan na mahihirap.”

Regional Director Vincent Andrew T. Leyson expressed his gratitude and assured commitment that the Regional Office will give its best effort in helping the poor and vulnerable despite all the struggles that might have come along the way. He also stressed his hope for a long term partnership in helping those who are in need.

The LinGap sa MASA program will cover the whole National Capital Region consisting of its 16 Cities and one Municipality.

Everyone who signed the agreement showed gratitude towards the partnership for extending help and assistance to the poor and vulnerable population as well as to those government employees who are lending their services.###

Last July 10, 2017, Regional Director (RD) Vincent Andrew T. Leyson of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) and Mr. Bienvenido V. Barbosa, Officer in Charge-Disaster Response Unit of DSWD-NCR, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Parañaque as represented by Mayor Edwin Olivarez in time of the celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month 2017 with the theme 4K’s Kamalayan sa Kahandaan, Katumbas ay Kaligtasan.

The said Agreement was also participated by former DSWD Secretary Alma De Leon, officials from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Parañaque and other DSWD-NCR staff.  Moreover, it focused on the prepositioning of Food and Non-Food Items and discussed the partnership of the Department and its task on extending assistance on the preparation for the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila in which it was tasked to formulate contingency plan pursuant to the directive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

RD Leyson assured the City of Parañaque of the assistance that the department could provide which includes  provision of 5,000 food packs that can be used on any calamity or disaster. He added, “Ang DSWD-NCR ay laging sumusubaybay, aagapay hindi lamang sa pinamimigay na goods kundi sa ibang assistance na maaring makatulong sa ating mamamayan at kahit anumang may kinalaman sa Social Services”. ####

Staff and residents of Nayon ng Kabataan participated in the simultaneous earthquake drill yesterday . The said residential care facility caters to children who are 7-17 years old and are abandoned, neglected, abused, maltreated and exploited. It is located in Welfareville Compound, Mandaluyong City.

#BidaAngHanda
#DSWDMayMalasakit

For efficient facilitation on the granting of medical assistance to clients in-need especially to those who were confined and have already incurred charges inside hospitals, under the Protective Service Programs, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region entered partnership with two (2) hospitals namely Fatima University Medical Center and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital recently.

In the signed Memorandum of Agreement between the Department and the mentioned hospitals, DSWD is in-charged with the referral of patients wherein a guarantee letter will be issued to the client based on the assessment of the social worker for a specific patient’s condition.

With this, the hospital shall facilitate the provision of medical services of the patient upon receipt of the guarantee letter wherein the amount to be shouldered by DSWD shall indicated therein.

Mr. Vincent Andrew T. Leyson, DSWD-NCR Regional Director in his message said, “the journey in extending help to our people will take a rough road but we at DSWD-NCR assures that we will take further initiative to assist them in each step of the way through this (partnership with hospitals).”

Under the DSWD’s Memorandum Circular no. 02 series of 2014, the Department initiated an efficient delivery of assistance to its beneficiaries by paying the checks/ assistance vested for the client directly to the service provider where in this case, were the hospitals.

Medical assistance is among the services being offered in DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) along with educational, financial, transportation and burial assistance.

In this partnership, medical assistance may cover the hospitalization expenses, medical procedures, laboratory/ diagnostic examinations, medicines, and usage of medical equipment in treating a client who availed the assistance.###

Bantay Bata 163 team led by its Program Director Ms. Jing Castañeda (fourth from left)who is a member of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) of National Capital Region visited the office of DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo on May 23, 2017 for possible partnership with the Department. Also in photo are Director of the Protective Services Bureau Ms. Ma. Alicia Bonoan (second from left) and Bantay Bata 163 employees. (Photo courtesy of Social Marketing Service)

A team from Bantay Bata, a child welfare program under the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya, recently visited the Department of Social Welfare and Development wherein Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo warmly welcomed them prior to the discussion on possible partnership in terms of child protection.

Among the topics discussed during the meeting is the organization’s Children’s Village, a residential care facility located in Norzagaray Bulacan that serves as temporary shelter for disadvantaged and at-risk children and provides care, health & wellness, nutrition, education and psychological support to its clients.

Various interventions for assisting children at risk and in crisis situation were also discussed for complementation of Bantay Bata and DSWD’s programs and services aiming to strengthen the efforts in uplifting the rights of children.

To formalize the areas of partnership, a memorandum of agreement between Bantay Bata and DSWD will be prepared and signed thereafter. ### (Contributed by Ms. Glenda M. Derla DSWD Social Welfare Specialist for Children & RCWC Focal Person and Ms.Benilda G. Hadap RCWC Technical Staff)