To advocate the utilization of the National Household Targeting database among its stakeholders, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) launched its “Regional Profile of Poor Households” on June 21, 2013 at Makati Palace Hotel.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the event aims to encourage the Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Government Agencies (NGAs) and representatives from the academe, to use the baseline data in identifying beneficiaries of their social protection programs and services.

During the launch, DSWD-NCR provided an orientation on National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), presented the number of identified poor households in specific areas per sector, and clarified concerns on NHTS and data sharing.

“The participants were also given clear overview on the Data Management System and Targeting Mechanism of NHTS-PR.  They were informed on how the NHTS-PR data were generated and the processes undertaken in identifying the poor and non-poor”, Bonoan added.

The profile of poor households in NCR contains the result household assessment conducted from 2009-2011.  It contains the NCR situationer, features and magnitude of poor households per sector.

“We are optimistic that our stakeholders will better appreciate the innovative approach in presenting the value of statistics which would help them in the development of their local strategies and will give more information about the poverty status of the region,” Bonoan concluded.

The launching was participated by representatives from National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, People’s Organizations, Academe and Media,  ###

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan shared during the recent Regional Management Development Conference that Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Secretary Francis Tolentino announced that the “Task Force Roxas Boulevard” campaign will continue until December this year.

It will be recalled that DSWD and MMDA launched in May 24 the Task Force Roxas Boulevard to free the area from street dwellers and informal settlers until June 12, 2013.

Bonoan said the ‘Task Force Roxas Boulevard” will continue to work at obtaining zero street dwellers along Roxas Boulevard stretching from Del Pan, Manila; Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Pasay City; Baclaran coastal area and NAIA Terminal in Parañaque City.

“This is jointly implemented by the DSWD, MMDA and the cities of Manila, Pasay and Parañaque which will facilitate immediate response to reports on street children, street families and Bajaus,” said Bonoan.

Bonoan added that DSWD street facilitators and MMDA personnel shall be visible in the area to reach-out to children doing street activities and families who made the streets as their homes.

The reached-out individuals and families will undergo assessment and profiling at MMDA Workers Inn, located along Roxas Boulevard for provision of social services and referral to the concerned LGUs and/or centers, for temporary shelter.

As of June 8, 2013, some 449 individuals, 36 families and 48 minors have been reached-out and were referred to concerned LGUs or agencies, temporary shelter at DSWD institutions and provided discounted fees at MMDA Worker’s Inn, among others.  ###

With the full implementation of K+12 program of the Department of Education (DepED) and in ensuring that rights of children for basic education are met, the DSWD-NCR’s Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) enrolled its school-aged wards for school year 2013 – 2014.

Ms. Hazel Militante, head social worker of RSCC said that 28 children are currently enrolled in regular school at Sto. Cristo Elementary School, 11 in Special Education at Bagong Pag-Asa Elementary School and 15 toddlers at Bahay Bulilit Day Care Center.

“We have a total of 54 school-aged children as young as three and as old as 11, who are now in school.  This is a challenge that RSCC aims to achieve, despite its very limited manpower and resources,’’ shared Militante.

She added that the inclusion of some of the RSCC children to the government’s Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Families in Need of Special Protection (MCCT-FNSP) program has supported the educational expenses that parents incur when sending their children to school, much like the RSCC as a parent to the abandoned, neglected or orphaned children..

During the first day of school, Ms. Myra Cruz, a houseparent said the children were all excited with their new uniforms, bags, shoes and school supplies.

“The boys in the cottage woke up very early while those with afternoon classes want to wear their uniforms earlier even if their classes are still in the afternoon,” said Ms. Cruz.

She observed that it was such a joy to see these children anticipate their classes and a delight to see them with pride as they show the ‘star’ stamped by their teachers for a job well done when they get back from school.

RSCC is a residential facility of DSWD that provides care for children 0 to 7 years old who are abused, abandoned and neglected.  Currently, it is a home to 91 children who need alternative family care and wholesome family environment.

Some 40 Persons with Disability (PWD) clients of the DSWD-NCR managed National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) and Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW) benefited from Cash-for-Work project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD–NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan said the project aims to alleviate the present financial status of the identified low-income PWD clients of NVRC and RSW, and to motivate them towards productivity and positive work attitude.

Bonoan added that beneficiaries under this project rendered work for ten (10) days from May 8-23, 2013 with a salary of Php325.00 per day.  The total project cost is P130,000.

The activities rendered by the PWD clients include cabinet making, clean–up within the center, and clerical work such as data encoding and filing records. ###

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) formally launched its Regional Learning Resource Center (RLRC) in simple ceremonies held recently at the Field Office.

The RLRC is a component of Knowledge Management and supports the vision of the Department to become a hub for best practices, learning exchange and growth programs in the Asia Pacific Region, through its knowledge and resource/learning center and centers of excellence.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan described RLRC as a ‘one-stop shop’ knowledge management center designed to provide an interactive learning facility for sharing and exchange of knowledge among its partners and stakeholders.

“The institutionalization of the knowledge sharing process through a technology-supported learning and resource center meets the demands of the fast-phased setting where information are made accessible and may be obtained in just a click,” added Director Bonoan.

The RLRC provides venue for exchange and sharing of knowledge products. It will also showcase the current status of the implementation of social protection programs and services in NCR.

It has core facilities which include a library, conference room, computer and video conference area.  Knowledge Management portal and DSWD on-line library will also be set-up to provide its users access to online information.

“The users of RLRC may view both the printed and electronic format of social protection trends, technical and published papers, and social welfare and development policies, programs and services. They can also consult and exchange ideas with the DSWD’s core group of specialists for the different sectoral programs thru the use of Information Technology,” Bonoan added.

The launching was attended by DILG-NCR Regional Director Renato Brion, members of the Social Welfare and Development Learning Network (SWD L-NET), representatives from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), academe and DSWD-NCR employees and staff. ### (FO NCR Social Marketing Office, June 5, 2013)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) recently conducted its Social Welfare and Development Forum for the first semester on “Aruga at Kalinga Para Sa Mga Bata sa Barangay: Alternative Parental Care for Children in Need of Special Protection,” held in Makati City.

DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan told the participants that the forum was very timely with the passage of RA 10165 or the Foster Care Act 2012 and an opportunity to encourage more foster parents to share their homes and provide love to children placed in child-caring institutions.

Thus, Atty. Melissa De Villa Gorospe of DSWD Legal Service discussed the salient features of RA 10165 or the Foster Care Act of 2012 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

During the forum, Bonoan shared that there are some 2,118 children who are currently placed in different child-caring institutions in Metro Manila and are awaiting for families who may provide them with alternative parental care.

Bonoan added that through its “Aruga at Kalinga para sa Mga Bata sa Barangay” project, the DSWD-NCR hopes to develop more foster care families so that more children will be able to experience love and care of a family.

She also encouraged the participants from child caring agencies, LGUs, NGOs, NGAs and media to contribute in the development of more foster families who will provide individual care to the thousands of children in institutions.  Likewise, to develop adoptive families who will provide a permanent family to children who have been certified to be legally available for adoption.

A participant – Ms. Ella, a former bank executive who fostered a child from Missionaries of Charity and afflicted with cerebral palsy said, she fell in love with the child so she asked the nuns if she can share her home with the child.

“Fostering a child is a commitment and a 24/7 job.  I know I can give him joy, love and a home.  I do not expect him to reciprocate my love and I won’t regret loving a special child,” shared Ms. Ella.

There were also two foster children who came with their foster parents.  Both parents and children shared their experiences in foster care.

Republic Act 10165 or the Foster Care Act of 2012 adheres to the policy of the State to provide every child who is neglected, abused, surrendered, dependent, abandoned, under sociocultural difficulties, or with special needs with an alternative family that will provide love and care as well as opportunities for growth and development. It was signed into law last June 2012. ###

In celebration of this year’s International Day of Families and in strengthening the Department’s Character Building Program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) conducted its first ever Character Music Festival last Friday, May 24, 2013.

The Music Festival featured performances of employees of the Field Office, its Centers and Institutions who competed in group and individual singing contests.

In the individual category, songs were original compositions of the staff and the songs featured the character traits identified in the Character Building Program, while in the group category, performances were a medley of songs with live accompaniment and composed of 15-20 members.

Ms. Princess Mae Artienda, Houseparent I from Elsie Gaches Village and representativeof the centers in the south cluster,won the first prize in the individual singing category while in the group category, the north cluster, composed of NVRC, RSW, GRACES and RSCC won the first prize.

Photo shows the performers from the north cluster, together with (first row from the top) DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan, (third from left),Ms. Edna J. Sacedor, head of NVRC and Asst. Regional Director Jacel J. Paguio.

The judges (top photo) are (from left) Mr.NiloBanay, DSWD Central Office Chorale Conductor;Ms. Shayne Marie Ignas, Worship Leader of Life Source Mission Movement; and Ms.JerusaCorpuz, PCSO Chorale member (fifth from left).###

While interviewing the Dades family from Barangay 178, Pasay City, the words “thank you” was incessantly uttered by Maria Cristina, 41 years old and the mother of the family. With teary eyes, she narrated how the PantawidPamilya continuously helps them until they availed the Self Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program in October 2011.

Dades family has been a beneficiary of PantawidPamilya since 2008. Meaning, they belong to those who will graduate from the 5-year implementation of the program for Set 1 beneficiaries on December 2013.

Maria Cristina said that before, it is hard for them to ensure that they still have something to eat for tomorrow. Unlike today, she guaranteed that they will have food to eat every day.

With her husband Jose, 50 years old, and with their four (4) children aged 24, 21, 15 and 9, Maria Cristina is now managing her sari-sari store business and a small coffee stand brought by the capital seed lent to them through the DSWD Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program. The proceeds from these are the money they spent for their daily necessities that sometimes are more than enough for their actual needs.

As PantawidPamilya beneficiary, Maria Cristina said that the changes in their family are really unexpected. Due to the meager income of her husband as a jeepney driver, before, she said that they always having an argument on where to pull money for their needs. But now, because of the lessons she learned from the FDS she attended, and with the condition of their life now, they do not wrangle anymore.

Also, Maria Cristina added that due to the conditionalities they have to comply in order to properly receive their cash grants, the education of her children and their health is now in the right track… that for her, “disente na kami ngayon” (we are decent now).

On the question if they are now ready for their forthcoming graduation in the program, Maria Cristina proudly said that, “handa na kami ngayon… sobrang malaki ang pasasalamat naming sa DSWD at mula sa Pantawid ay nagawan ng paraan upang makayanan naming ang magsarili… habang buhay kaming magpapasalamat sa DSWD” (we are ready now… we are very thankful with the DSWD that from Pantawid, we are given a chance to stand on our own… we will be forever grateful to DSWD).

Happily, the Dades family helping each other to make their business grows more. For them, PantawidPamilya bonds their family closer and they will never let it lost no matter what happen.