The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) presented some of its accomplishments in a forum called Pagpapakilala at Pagkilala sa Natatanging Benepisyaryo ng Pantawid Pamilya held on October 19.

One of the highlights of the event was featuring the inspiring stories of three former Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who voluntarily left the program and are now equipped with the right skills and knowledge to sustain their gains from Pantawid Pamilya.

As of September 2018, Pantawid Pamilya has recorded a total of 27, 581 households who have waived their membership. A validation of the next batch of households slated to exit the program is ongoing.

“Taos-puso ang pasasalamat ko sa Pantawid Pamilya dahil nakatapos na ang isang anak ko bilang cum laude,” said Irene Ramirez from Bataan, adding that the cash grants from Pantawid Pamilya helped in sending her kids to school, complete with baon and budget for any school expenses.

Another beneficiary, Annaliza Hipolito from Manila shared that the program helped her in taking care of the health of her family, especially her youngest who was always ill.

“Noong nasali kami sa Pantawid Pamilya, monthly ko siya dinadala sa health center kasi that time naging malnourished siya dahil ang dami niyang naging sakit. Ngayon, patuloy ko pa rin siyang pinapacheck-up para mamonitor ang kanyang height and weight,” said Annaliza.

Considering that Annaliza is a college graduate and was a very active parent leader, she tried to apply and was hired as a social welfare assistant in DSWD-National Capital Region.

Verdeflor Oconer, meanwhile, shared her insights on the importance of the knowledge she gained when she attended Family Development Sessions (FDS), the monthly gathering of Pantawid Pamilya parent groups that aims to strengthen their parenting capabilities.

“Marami akong kakilalang babae na inaabuso. Sa FDS, libre naming natutunan ang VAWC law (violence against women and children) at child’s rights—kung paano poprotektahan ang mga kababaihan at mga bata,” said the mother of two from Pasig City.

Verdeflor also learned about the programs and services of different government agencies through FDS. She availed of the free cookery and baking and pastry courses of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and is now a baker of made-to-order cakes and pastries.

Newly appointed DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista commended the achievements of the three women and the other families who have waived their program membership due to their improved living condition.

“Kayo ay kahanga-hanga. Ang inyong mga pakikibaka tungo sa pagtamasa ng inyong maunlad na buhay – ay walang kahalintulad. Kami ay lubos na nagagalak at nagpapasalamat sa kontribusyon niyo sa ating lipunan,” he said.

The forum also talked about Pantawid Pamilya’s impact evaluation results. It was said that the program has  positive influence on increasing child-beneficiaries’ school enrollment and lowering child-beneficiaries’ dropout rate; beneficiaries’ frequent availing of  basic health services; and mother-beneficiaries’ availing of maternal health and services.

Also discussed were the results of the assessment of FDS and the Pantawid Pamilya’s Gulayan sa Barangay, an initiative to encourage beneficiaries to implement community gardening activities for food production.

In attendance during the forum were Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from NCR, media, and DSWD’s development partners including Ms. Julia Rees of UNICEF, Mr. Mat Kimberly of the Australian Embassy, Dir. Emmeline Verzosa of Philippine Commission on Women, Usec. Lorraine Badoy of Presidential Communications Operations Office, and Mr. Ariel Sebellino of the Philippine Press Institute who lauded the beneficiaries’ success and expressed their support to the agency and program’s endeavors.

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New DSWD Secretary Ronaldo Bautista with the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, partners, and DSWD staff.

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Pantawid Pamilya Dir. Ernestina Solloso delivered the opening remarks to the media forum. She shared the value of partnership in the implementation of the program and that the beneficiaries are already experiencing the gains, like having a college graduate in their household.

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Ms. Abigail Calipjo-Ling from Listahanan or the National Housing targeting Office, discussed the selection process for the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

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Mr. Jimmy Schuck of Pantawid Pamilya Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (PMED) shares program updates, including coverage, compliance rates, and impact evaluation results.

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Mr. Engels del Rosario of PMED presents the results of the FDS assessment.

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Beneficiaries who exited from the program - Irene Ramirez (left) from Bataan, Annaliza Hipolito (center) from Manila, and Verdeflor Oconer (right) from Pasig shared how difficult their lives were before getting assistance from Pantawid Pamilya.

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Mr. Ariel P. Sebellino of Philippine Press Institute (PPI) highlighted the importance of the narrative and telling the public the stories of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

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Ms. Emmeline L. Verzosa, Executive Director of the Philippine Commision on Women (PCW), shares the resolutions passed by the Pantawid Pamilya National Advisory Committee (NAC) to improve program implementation and address issues.

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Ms. Julia Rees, Deputy Representative of UNICEF, stated that the strong partnership with DSWD will continue with the intention of seeing more families and their children exit poverty and attain a better standard of living.

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Mr. Mat Kimberley, Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission (DHOM), re-emphasized their readiness to assist the Philippines in meeting the important targets outlined in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

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Usec. Lorraine Marie T. Badoy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), expressed her admiration to the beneficiaries who shared their stories.

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DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista commended the perseverance and positive results of the hard work of the family-beneficiaries.

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Exiting household beneficiary Verdeflor Oconer from Pasig shares her testimonial to the media.

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DSWD Sec. Rolando Bautista (center) with (from R-L) Mr. Ariel P. Sebellino (PPI), Ms. Emmeline L. Verzosa (PCW), Usec. Lorraine Marie T. Badoy (PCOO), Mr. Mat Kimberley (Australian Embassy), Annaliza Hipolito, Ms. Julia Rees (UNICEF), Oconer family, and the Ramirez family.

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The facilitator for the media forum was Mx. Chok Reyes.

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New DSWD Secretary Ronaldo Bautista being interviewed by the media right after the forum.

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New DSWD Secretary Ronaldo Bautista being interviewed by the media right after the forum.

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