DSWD wins support of more partners

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 29 – The rally to work for the improvement of the well-being of identified poor families continues as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) engages more development partners in the region though its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

On Tuesday, confirming their support to government pro-poor programs, some 100 representatives from different national government agencies, private institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs) participated in a Partners’ Forum organized by DSWD.

“With this forum, we hope to secure the commitment of private companies through their various programs under corporate social responsibility, as well as sustain our engagement with national government agencies and CSOs,” said DSWD Assistant Regional Director for Operations, Rebecca A. Santamaria.

“This forum also serves as venue to identify and match our partners with the DSWD four areas of engagement -Bantay, Tulay, Gabay at Kaagapay,” Santamaria said.

Bantay are partners who will help in fighting or preventing corruption. Tulay  partners will facilitate action-feedback and monitoring of a specific program and area of implementation between the department and its target sectors. 

Gabay is a partnership intended to enhance technical capacities of DSWD staff and other direct service workers. Kaagapay partners will help implement anti-poverty projects and activities targeting a commonly agreed upon sector or geographical areas and results.

Commitments forged following the whole day event were: 1] Green Asia Agri Corp. -Coco Coir Training; 2] Hijo Resources Corporation -Employment and Micro-Enterprise; 3] Philippine Crops Insurance Corporation -100% Premium Subsidy (with RSBSA);  4] Sky Cable Davao -Employment; 5] Department of Agriculture -Livelihood Project; 6] NCCC Cares -Disaster Assistance; 7] Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Corporation -Insurance Orientation and Consultation; 8] BAMA Trading –Organic Fertilizer and Supply Services for Fishery Productivity; 9] Cantilan Bank –Financial Literacy Lectures to Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiaries; 10] Maco Development Cooperative -Savings Generation for Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiaries; and 11] University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) -Technical and Vocational Training for Pantawid Pamilya Beneficiaries.

SLP is one of the poverty-reduction programs of DSWD along with Kalahi CIDSS, Pantawid Pamilya, Social Pension and Supplementary Feeding.

It aims to capacitate and develop the entrepreneurial and socio-economic skills of poor households through income-generating opportunities, enhancing their access to basic social services and employment.

“We deeply appreciate the very warm response of our partners. Their commitments ensure a brighter future for our beneficiaries,” Santamaria added.

To date a total of 23,000 beneficiaries have been served through this livelihood program. For 2015, Php 243,709,000.00 has been allocated to fund more projects of deserving poor families.

DSWD believes that continuous partnership and complementation of resources and services of various agencies will help achieve the goals of the national government as it adequately responds to the needs of the disadvantaged sector. (DSWD-11/Florame B. Espada/CCD)