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<strong>Frontline</strong><br />

Department of Social Welfare and Development - Field Office Caraga<br />

The Official Publication ||1st Quarter <strong>2016</strong>


ABOUT THE COVER<br />

65 years<br />

… of putting smile to those who are weary<br />

… of giving light to families living in the shadow of poverty<br />

…of uplifting the socio-economic life of millions of Filipinos<br />

All of these have been passionately done by the<br />

Department of Social Welfare and Development.<br />

(Excerpt from the winning composition of<br />

Ms. Mary Carmelle C. Jumawan, Project Development Officer II,<br />

during the On-the-Spot Essay Writing Competition of the Fun and Frolics Day)<br />

For 65 years of public service, DSWD, as the frontline agency in social protection, remains true to<br />

its commitment to be and with the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors<br />

in their walk en route sustainable development.<br />

This issue contains the colorful and meaningful activities done by the Field Office Caraga in<br />

celebration of the 65th anniversary of DSWD. This also features the highlights of the<br />

1st quarter CY <strong>2016</strong> as the Department is gearing up and intensifying efforts<br />

towards sustainable positive change.<br />

#TuloyAngPagbabago<br />

Cover Photo:<br />

1st place winner for the Poster Making Contest during the Fun and Frolics Day. This is a craft of Mr. Archie Turtur, Project Development Officer III.<br />

CONTENTS<br />

DSWD turns<br />

65<br />

highlights<br />

partners’<br />

contribution<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli awards the Plaque of Recognition<br />

to Mayor Clarita Limbaro of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, for being one<br />

of the National Nominees for Child-Friendly LGUs. Brigoli<br />

is assisted by no less than Undersecretary Camilo G. Gudmalin.<br />

In the regional celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development<br />

(DSWD) which happened on February 19, <strong>2016</strong> at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City, Field Office<br />

Caraga highlighted the significant contributions of its partners and stakeholders in the implementation of<br />

various social protection programs and services.<br />

DSWD turns 65<br />

Regional Offices visit Caraga’s RLC<br />

4th SLP Congress<br />

Tuloy ang Pagbabago<br />

Kalahi CIDSS Caraga Awards<br />

World Social Work Month, Day<br />

01<br />

03<br />

04<br />

06<br />

07<br />

08<br />

12<br />

13<br />

14<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

MSU-Marawi students to be<br />

exposed in CDD<br />

Legal Adoption<br />

Her way out of Poverty<br />

Making Social Welfare a Top Priority<br />

DSWD Caraga employees receive<br />

National Accolades<br />

Sustaining the Positive Change<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, together with Undersecretary Camilo G. Gudmalin, personally handed<br />

the plaques and certificates of recognitions to the honorees of the Department in Caraga.<br />

Awards that were given are categorized into four (4)- PANATA Ko sa Bayan, PRESTIGE, bayanI Ka, and<br />

Child-Friendly Local Government Units (LGUs).<br />

PaNata Ko (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon) sa Bayan Awards are given to individuals, groups,<br />

and organizations whose “panata” or vow is to share their successes, time, and selves in providing for a<br />

better opportunity for the disadvantaged sectors. This award is categorized into four (4) as well, namely:<br />

Salamat Po, Gawad sa Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS), Gawad Ulat, and Gawad Listahanan.<br />

The following are the list of winners for the said award:<br />

Official Hotlines for Adoption<br />

198 classrooms for IP communities<br />

09<br />

10<br />

20<br />

21<br />

A Foster Parent’s Love Language<br />

Age is Just a Number<br />

Salamat Po Award<br />

GAPAS Award<br />

CONSULTANTS : Minda B. Brigoli, CESO III - Regional Director o Mita G. Lim - Assistant Regional Director for<br />

Operations o Nerisa T. Murih - Assistant Regional Director for Administration o Angelita B. Amista - Chief,<br />

Institutional Development Division o Ramel F. Jamen - Chief, General Administration and Support Services<br />

Division o EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Eunice G. Montaos - Regional Information Officer o WRITERS : Ryan M.<br />

Tapayan - Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer o Marko Davey D. Reyes - Kalahi-CIDSS Social Marketing<br />

Officer o Mary Carmelle C. Jumawan - SLP Information Officer o CONTRIBUTORS : Dante S. Rosales o<br />

Jefferson B. Gonzales o Clark Aries Ingles o LAY-OUT ARTIST : Lynde T. Calipes<br />

Best Non- Government Organization:<br />

Gesu Eucaristico Children’s Incorporated<br />

Best Volunteer : Mr. Jimmy Dejolde<br />

Valuable Support to MCCT Pay-out :<br />

New Tribe Missionary (Mr. Albert Castelijn)<br />

Support to Home for Girls :<br />

Philippine National Police;<br />

Dental Health Service 13<br />

Support to DSWD Regional Activities:<br />

Robinsons Place, Butuan City<br />

Support to Disaster Operations :<br />

Department of Public Works<br />

and Highways (DPWH)<br />

Support to SLP Implementation :<br />

Mindanao R & D Consultants, Incorporated<br />

Best Pag-asa Youth Association :<br />

PYAP Cabadbaran City<br />

Best PWD Organization :<br />

San Miguel Association of Persons with Disability<br />

Best Federation of Senior Citizens Association in<br />

the Philippines : FSCAP Surigao City<br />

Model Sustainable Livelihood Association :<br />

Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte SLPA Federation<br />

Model LGU Implementing DSWD Programs :<br />

LGU Bayabas, Surigao del Sur<br />

Model LGU Implementing Kalahi-CIDSS :<br />

LGU Veruela, Agusan del Sur<br />

Model LGU Implementing Supplementary<br />

Feeding Program :<br />

LGU Taganaan, Surigao Sur<br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 01


Gawad Ulat<br />

Most Supportive TV Station :<br />

TV Patrol ABS-CBN Caraga<br />

Most Supportive National Media :<br />

Manila Bulletin<br />

Most Supportive Local Print Media :<br />

Mindanao Centro Daily<br />

Most Supportive Private Radio Station :<br />

Bombo Radyo<br />

Most Supportive Radio Station :<br />

Radyo Trumpeta<br />

Most Supportive Public Radio Station :<br />

Radyo ng Bayan<br />

Most Supportive Online Media :<br />

Philippine Information Agency (PIA)<br />

Gawad Listahanan<br />

LGU Bislig City<br />

Another award is the PRESTIGE<br />

or Promoting Resurgence and<br />

Excellence of Social Welfare<br />

Officers as Transformation Agents<br />

for Inclusive Growth and People<br />

Empowerment. This award is given<br />

to the most functional Local Social<br />

Welfare and Development Offices.<br />

This is considered a Best Practice of<br />

Caraga designed to bolster existing<br />

competencies and increase the<br />

morale of LSWD Officers along<br />

full functionality. This award has<br />

three (3) categories: Bronze, Silver,<br />

and Gold. The following are the<br />

awardees:<br />

PreSTIGE City (Silver)<br />

LGU Bislig City<br />

PreSTIGE<br />

Province (Bronze)<br />

LGU Province of Dinagat Islands<br />

PreSTIGE City (Bronze)<br />

LGU Cabadbaran City<br />

PreSTIGE<br />

Municipality (Bronze)<br />

LGU Jabonga, Agusan del Norte<br />

LGU Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte<br />

LGU Buenavista, Agusan del Norte<br />

LGU Tubay, Agusan del Norte<br />

LGU Magallanes, Agusan del Norte<br />

LGU San Francisco, Agusan del Sur<br />

LGU Marihatag, Surigao del Sur<br />

LGU Tagbina, Surigao del Sur<br />

The next award is the<br />

Child-Friendly Municipalities<br />

and Cities Award. This is<br />

established through Executive<br />

Order No.184 issued on<br />

December 13, 1999 and is<br />

conferred to deserving LGUs<br />

in recognition of their vital<br />

roles in sustained promotion<br />

of children’s rights as well<br />

as in ensuring Child-Friendly<br />

Governance.<br />

The following are the awardees<br />

per province:<br />

Agusan del Norte<br />

Cabadbaran City, Magallanes,<br />

Tubay, Las Nieves,<br />

Remedios T. Romualdez,<br />

Nasipit, Jabonga, Santiago,<br />

Kitcharao, Butuan City,<br />

Buenavista, Carmen<br />

Agusan del SUR<br />

Veruela, Talacogon, Bayugan City,<br />

Prosperidad, Santa Josefa,<br />

Esperanza, San Francisco, Rosario<br />

PROVINCE OF<br />

DINAGAT ISLANDS<br />

Cagdianao, San Jose,<br />

Basilisa (Rizal), Dinagat, Loreto<br />

SURIGAO DEL NORTE<br />

Burgos, San Isidro,<br />

Socorro, Bacuag,<br />

Tubod, Malimono,<br />

Santa Monica, Claver<br />

Surigao City<br />

SURIGAO DEL SUR<br />

Lingig, Barobo, Bislig City,<br />

Cagwait, San Miguel,<br />

Cantilan, Carrascal,<br />

Tagbina, Carmen,<br />

Marihatag, Cortes, Lianga<br />

The LGU of Bayabas, Surigao<br />

del Sur had a special award<br />

on this since the LGU is one on<br />

the shortlisted nominees at the<br />

National level.<br />

Another accolade is the<br />

bayanI Ka. This award is<br />

given to partner LGUs and<br />

community volunteers to<br />

recognize their support to<br />

Kalahi-CIDSS Implementation.<br />

The awardees are considered<br />

champions and advocates<br />

of the Community-Driven<br />

Development (CDD) strategy.<br />

The following are the<br />

modern-day heroes in Caraga:<br />

bayanI Ka<br />

PLGU Local Chief Executive:<br />

Surigao del Sur<br />

(Hon. Johnny T. Pimentel)<br />

MLGU Local Chief Executive:<br />

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur<br />

(Hon. Candelario J. Viola Jr.)<br />

BLGU Local Chief Executive:<br />

San Isidro, Las Nieves, Agusan Norte<br />

(Hon. Domingo S. Mulig)<br />

Best BSPMC Chair:<br />

Mr. Samuel Ampahan<br />

(Brgy. Kinamaybay, Esperanza,<br />

Agusan Sur)<br />

Best Community Volunteer:<br />

Ms. Juvy Monteclaro<br />

(Brgy. Bunga, Jabonga,<br />

Agusan Norte)<br />

Best Youth Volunteer :<br />

Ms. Christ Janine D. Navarro<br />

(Brgy.Caigangan, Veruela,<br />

Agusan Sur)<br />

Best Senior Citizen Volunteer:<br />

Mr. Lorenzo Lao<br />

(Brgy.Amoslog, Placer, Surigao Norte)<br />

Best PWD Volunteer:<br />

Ms. Marife Lerio (Brgy.Amoslog,<br />

Placer, Surigao Norte)<br />

Best IP Volunteer:<br />

Ms. Vivian Plaza (Brgy. Mabahin,<br />

Cortes, Surigao del Sur)<br />

Best MIAC:<br />

MLGU Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte<br />

Best CSO Partner:<br />

Sibog Katawhan Alang<br />

sa Paglambo (SIKAP)<br />

Best Municipal Coordinating Team:<br />

MCT Pilar, Surigao del Norte<br />

Aside from awards given to external partners, the<br />

Field Office also recognized, through the Program on<br />

Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE),<br />

its outstanding workers. This award is given to DSWD<br />

employees or workers to encourage, recognize,<br />

and reward for their suggestions, innovative ideas,<br />

inventions, discoveries, superior accomplishments,<br />

heroic deeds, exemplary behaviour, extraordinary acts<br />

or services in the public interest and other personal<br />

efforts which contribute to the efficiency, economy,<br />

and improvement in government operations, which<br />

leads to DSWD productivity. The award is divided into<br />

two (2) categories: Individual and Group.<br />

For the Individual category, the nominees are SLP Coordinator Roy R. Serdeña and Administrative Officer<br />

V/Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Coordinator Ramil M. Taculod. The regional winner, and one of the national<br />

winners, is Standards and Social Technology Unit head Golda V. Pocon.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli welcomes<br />

the participants who are having their learning visit at<br />

DSWD-Caraga Regional Learning Commons<br />

As the Field Office Caraga of the Department<br />

of Social Welfare and Development<br />

(DSWD) hosted the national training dubbed<br />

as Learning Development Intervention on<br />

Learning System Design held on March 6-11,<br />

<strong>2016</strong> at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan<br />

City, participants from the different regional<br />

offices of DSWD visited the Regional Learning<br />

Commons (RLC).<br />

The activity aims to enhance competencies<br />

of the Capacity Building Bureau/Units (CBB/U)<br />

personnel and Knowledge Management (KM)<br />

focal persons along designing, implementing,<br />

and evaluating learning development<br />

interventions.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli welcomed<br />

the participants and said that the training is an<br />

opportune time for them to visit the RLC which<br />

RD Minda Brigoli (leftmost) and Undersecretary Camilo G. Gudmalin<br />

(rightmost) award the outstanding DSWD Workers as Public Servants,<br />

namely, (from left to right) Roy R. Serdeña and Ramil M. Taculod.<br />

To page 11<br />

won as the National Best Regional Learning Resource<br />

Center (RLRC) in 2015.<br />

“Our RLC is in parallel with DSWD’s efforts to establish<br />

knowledge and resource learning center. We are<br />

proud that this facility is first in Caraga, and 2nd in<br />

Mindanao.” said Brigoli.<br />

Aside from the learning visit to RLC which happened<br />

on March 8, <strong>2016</strong>, the participants also witnessed the<br />

unveiling of the Best RLC Award.<br />

DSWD-Caraga’s RLC is a complementary facility of<br />

the DSWD Knowledge Exchange Center (KEC) with a<br />

capability of housing information and communications<br />

technology (ICT)-based operations and processes<br />

to effectively and efficiently carry-out activities and<br />

services that will embody the goals and strategies to<br />

make DSWD a learning organization. ###<br />

02 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 03


The “product walk” models along with SLP NPMO Dir. Gil Dennis Raposa, SLP NPMO Project Development Officers<br />

Mitzi Tamayo and Vianca Habli, Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli and Regional Program Coordinator Roy R. Serdeña<br />

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the<br />

Department of Social Welfare and Development<br />

(DSWD) Caraga extravagantly showcased the products<br />

and crafts of its program participants during its 4th Annual<br />

SLP Congress on February 12, <strong>2016</strong> in Butuan City.<br />

The event was conducted with the theme “Karon ug<br />

sa umaabot, kalambuan atong makab-ot (Now and<br />

beyond, we will achieve development)”.<br />

Attended by 200 partner-beneficiaries from the five (5)<br />

provinces of the region, the activity aims to celebrate the<br />

extraordinary efforts toward self-sufficiency and positive<br />

change of these people.<br />

The event was also graced by Regional Director Minda B.<br />

Brigoli who officially opened the event and delivered an<br />

inspirational message to the participants.<br />

Brigoli highly praised the 200 program participants who<br />

attended the said event.<br />

“Sila ang ating inspirasyon na<br />

ngayon ay resource partners<br />

na ng ating ahensya (They are<br />

our inspiration and now have<br />

become our agency’s resource<br />

partners),” she said.<br />

Brigoli also applauded the<br />

stakeholders, public and<br />

private partners who have<br />

contributed a lot in the program<br />

implementation.<br />

“Because you are special,<br />

we made this event special.<br />

We will assure everyone that<br />

we will celebrate this kind of<br />

achievement every year,” she<br />

added.<br />

Participants from SLP National Program Management headed by Director Gil Dennis Raposa along with<br />

Vianca Habli and Mitzi Tamayo, Project Development Officer III also came. Raposa was the event’s<br />

keynote speaker. In his speech, he shared SLP’s thrust and priorities.<br />

“The SLP is a strategy to spread prosperity among communities in the Philippines,” he shared. “The program<br />

builds the capacities of its participants to engage in resource-based and market-driven community<br />

micro-enterprises, and/or equips them with the required skills and attitudes to be gainfully employed,” he<br />

added.<br />

Raposa also encouraged the stakeholders to sustain their support to the program and its participants.<br />

“Invest with us in our program participants who are the enforcers of the law within the society, experts in<br />

their fields within their communities, models of the youth and major influencers,” he said.<br />

He ended his speech with a video clip that will commemorate SLP NPMO’s provocative tagline Paano<br />

Kung.To further enhance the entrepreneurial skills of the program participants, a technical session with<br />

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Social Entrepreneurial Technique and Strategies was conducted<br />

before the program proper started.<br />

Moreover, commendation to stakeholder, both public and private<br />

partners was carried out. Awards were given to Department of<br />

Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and<br />

Technology (DOST), DTI, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources<br />

(BFAR), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority<br />

(TESDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),<br />

Mindanao R&D Consultants, Inc. (MRDC), Butuan City Manpower<br />

Training Center (BCMTC), Winrock International Institute for<br />

Agricultural Development and Cantilan Bank, Inc..<br />

Bangon Kabuhayan awarding ceremony was also cited to<br />

applaud the outstanding and invaluable enterprise initiatives of<br />

various SLP association or federation.<br />

There was also a photo and product exhibit to celebrate the<br />

incredible turnaround success stories of SLP program participants.<br />

Also part of the program was the “product walk” where the<br />

Field Project Development officers have modeled SLP Caraga<br />

products.<br />

“Dako among kalipay ug pasalamat na nagpahigayon ug<br />

ing-ani na event (We are very happy and grateful that an event<br />

like this was conducted),” said Evelyn Inocente, a parent leader<br />

from Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.<br />

“Lami sa paminaw na natagaan ug pagdayeg among mga efforts<br />

sa pagsustinar sa among mga nagkadaiyang panginabuhian (It<br />

feels so good that our efforts toward sustaining our livelihood was<br />

given appreciation),” she added.<br />

Regional Program Coordinator Roy R. Serdeña assured that SLP<br />

Caraga will continue to hold an event like this and celebrate the<br />

program participants’ achievements.<br />

“The program participants deserve this celebration and our<br />

stakeholders as well, thus, we will ensure its continuity,” Serdeña.<br />

Established in 2011, the Department of Social Welfare and<br />

Development through the Sustainable Livelihood Program<br />

is holding Annual SLP Congress to celebrate the successes<br />

of our SLP program participants in achieving the goal of our<br />

Department which is uplifting the socio-economic status of our<br />

program participants through engaging in micro-enterprises or<br />

employment.<br />

It also celebrates the efforts of Pantawid Pamilya member-families<br />

towards self-sufficiency and positive change.<br />

Further, it aims to applaud our stakeholders, public and<br />

private partners who have contributed a lot in the program<br />

implementation. It is but necessary to give commendation to<br />

recognize their efforts as we continue to strengthen partnership<br />

with our stakeholders.<br />

In addition, the program participants will also have an opportunity<br />

to display or promote their products and services to the public<br />

and find possible buyers or market. ###<br />

04 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 05


T<br />

he Department of Social Welfare and<br />

Development (DSWD) Caraga continues<br />

to banner the culture of excellence in the<br />

implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa<br />

Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated<br />

Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) as it<br />

bagged four (4) accolades during the Gawad<br />

Kalahi Awards 2015 held at Hotel H2O, Manila on<br />

February 9, <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

Asside from the accolades, ARDO Lim was chosen<br />

among all the Asst. Regional Directors to give a<br />

presentation of the best practices and innovations<br />

of the region in implementing the program. A<br />

great testament to the outstanding performance<br />

of FO Caraga.<br />

The Tuloy ang Pagbabago campaign was<br />

launched at the regional level on February<br />

12, <strong>2016</strong> during the celebration of the Sustainable<br />

Livelihood Program (SLP) Congress at Almont Hotel’s<br />

Inland Resort, Butuan City.<br />

Leah Rebuta, a Pantawid Pamilya parent leader in<br />

Butuan City, led the launching of the said campaign<br />

along with the 200 selected participants of the said<br />

congress.<br />

During the launch, Rebuta presented through<br />

a testimony the key message of the campaign<br />

which says Pantawid Pamilya is a program of the<br />

government that provides cash grants to registered<br />

households to augment their needs in education<br />

and health of children aged 0-18.<br />

The campaign also emphasizes that it is only DSWD<br />

and no other government offices or a person can<br />

delist Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the<br />

program if they cannot comply the conditions of the<br />

program.<br />

Delisting of the program participants are based<br />

on the official variables from the Beneficiary Data<br />

Management (BDM) guidelines and ineligibility<br />

criteria of Grievance Redress System (GRS) which<br />

are the following: (1) duplicate entry, (2) no to 0-18<br />

years old dependent, (3) moved-out, (4) beneficiary<br />

personally signed a waiver, (5) validated as financially<br />

stable with regular income, and (6) fraudulent<br />

activity (misrepresentation and false information),<br />

respectively, but all are subject for validation by the<br />

Pantawid Pamilya parent leader from Butuan City Lea Rebuta initiates the<br />

Regional Launching of the Tuloy ang Pagbabago Campaign in Caraga Region.<br />

city/municipal link officers (C/MLOs) assigned in<br />

the prospected area.<br />

To put a sound to the said campaign, Tuloy ang<br />

Pagbabago is being advocated through the<br />

monthly conducted family development session<br />

(FDS).<br />

Aside from visiting the municipal social welfare<br />

and development offices (MSWDOs) and looking<br />

for MLOs, partner-beneficiaries can use the<br />

official text line for their inquiries at 0918-912-2813<br />

and follow the text format,<br />

The awarding ceremony, which was conducted<br />

during the 2015 Performance Review and<br />

Evaluation Workshop (PREW), acknowledged best<br />

performing regional offices, and highlighted best<br />

practices and innovations that paved the way in<br />

meeting the goals of the program.<br />

DSWD Caraga Director Minda B. Brigoli, together<br />

with Asst. Regional Director for Operations Mita<br />

G. Lim, and members of the Regional Program<br />

Management Office (RPMO)<br />

were on hand to receive the<br />

awards for Best Performing<br />

Region in Medium Category,<br />

in Bottom-Up-Budgeting (BUB)<br />

Implementation, in Government<br />

of Australia – Department<br />

of Foreign Affairs and Trade<br />

(GOA-DFAT) Implementation,<br />

and an award for Innovation<br />

and Breakthrough in CDD<br />

Management for the “Creation<br />

of Responsive Municipal<br />

Inter-Agency Committee<br />

(MIAC) and Advanced<br />

Financing Monitoring System.<br />

DSWD Caraga Team, together with Mindanao Island Cluster Monitor<br />

Elise Sogo-an, pose with the 4 awards bagged during the Gawad Kalahi<br />

Awards ceremonies held at Hotel H2O, Manila, on February 9, <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

The four (4) awards harvested by DSWD Caraga for<br />

the 2015 Kalahi-CIDSS implementation are great<br />

additions to a number of awards and recognitions<br />

already under the belt of DSWD Caraga.<br />

Kalahi-CIDSS National Program Manager Benilda Redaja (2nd from left) awards<br />

DSWD Caraga the Best Performing Region – Medium Category the 4th award given to the<br />

team in acknowledgement of the field offices’ outstanding performance in the program<br />

Implementation. Also in the photo are USec. Camilo Gudmalin (2nd from right).<br />

The presentation, entitled<br />

“What Works For Caraga?,”<br />

focused on the managerial<br />

role of the Assistant Regional<br />

Director for Operation,<br />

specifically how operations<br />

in the regional, sub-regional<br />

and field offices are handled.<br />

Kalahi-CIDSS National<br />

Program Manager Benilda<br />

E. Redaja commended Lim<br />

for her presentation, and<br />

thanked FO Caraga for<br />

sharing the best practices<br />

that could be replicated by<br />

the other regions to ensure<br />

best possible results in the<br />

program implementations.<br />

Regional Director Brigoli challenged the RPMO to<br />

continue the culture of excellence in the region,<br />

encouraging the team to be more innovative in<br />

<strong>2016</strong>, and continue to be the top performer in the<br />

national level.<br />

The Kalahi-CIDSS Year-End PREW is a regular<br />

workshop conducted to revisit the program<br />

implementation of the regional offices, and a<br />

venue to give direction and updates for the<br />

following cycle year implementation. ###<br />

06 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 07


Social Workers of the Department of Social<br />

Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga<br />

and other agencies/organizations convened<br />

on March 15, <strong>2016</strong> at Luciana Convention, this<br />

city, to celebrate the World Social Work Day and<br />

Month.<br />

The Department strongly supported this year’s<br />

celebration which bears the theme “Promoting<br />

the Dignity and the Worth of Peoples”.<br />

The said theme underscores the significant<br />

roles of social workers in acting against growing<br />

inequalities and the worldwide dynamics that<br />

perpetuate poverty and oppression.<br />

Objectives of the observance of the international<br />

celebration include advocating public<br />

appreciation and recognition of the Social Work<br />

profession, facilitating venue for strengthened<br />

engagement with Social Workers in other settings,<br />

and imbibing the sense of pride among Social<br />

Workers in the profession they have chosen.<br />

Members of the Association of DSWD Social<br />

Workers Incorporated (ADSWI) and other<br />

Social Workers in Caraga actively participated<br />

the motorcade and one-day gathering in<br />

observance of the celebration.<br />

Golda V. Pocon, regional president of ADSWI<br />

and head of the Social Technology/Standards<br />

Bureau units, discussed the topic “Role of Social<br />

Workers Towards an Undivided Humanity”.<br />

“Like millions of others worldwide, the Social<br />

Workers of DSWD Field Office Caraga take pride<br />

Social workers in Caraga joyfully dance during the Ice Breaker<br />

session in their one-day gathering on March 15, <strong>2016</strong> to observe<br />

the World Social Workers’ Day.<br />

of being part of a profession that acts decisively on<br />

its deep understanding of human behavior,” Pocon<br />

said.<br />

“Social workers are at the forefront of social<br />

consequences and social realities,” she added.<br />

Angelita B. Amista, chief of the Protective Services Unit<br />

and Institutional Development Division, highlighted<br />

in her message the significant contributions of the<br />

Social Workers in the world.<br />

“Our contribution to the world is very significant as<br />

we confront challenging career issues of diverse<br />

individuals, families, and communities, and societies<br />

and we develop methods and solutions that help<br />

these people reach their full potential despite and in<br />

spite complex realities,” Amista shared.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, also a proud<br />

Social Worker, extended her warm greetings to all<br />

the practitioners of the profession.<br />

“This World Social Work Day is dedicated to all of<br />

those whose work is more than the ordinary for the<br />

extra special sectors of the society-our motivation,”<br />

Brigoli quipped.<br />

The WSWD is an annual celebration every March<br />

which aims to influence international, regional, and<br />

local policies, government actions and to highlight<br />

the value and contributions that social workers make<br />

every day throughout the world. ###<br />

As part of this year’s National Adoption Consciousness celebration,<br />

the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)<br />

Field Office Caraga launched on February 15, <strong>2016</strong> at Robinsons Mall,<br />

Butuan City, the official hotlines 09173274474/09998652494 to facilitate questions about Adoption and<br />

information about abandoned children.<br />

These hotline numbers are printed in bumper stickers produced by the Field Office, through the Adoption<br />

Resource and Referral Section (ARRS) and the Social Marketing Unit (SMU). These stickers will be distributed<br />

to Public Utility Vehicles for information and popularization to the public.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, together with the members of the Regional Child Welfare Specialist<br />

Group (RCWSG), initiated the ceremonial launch of the mentioned hotlines.<br />

For inquiries or information on Adoption and abandoned children, you may text the hotlines following the<br />

text format: ARRS [space] Name [space] Address [space] Question/Information. ###<br />

Members of the Regional Child Welfare Specialist Group<br />

members led the launch of the official hotlines for Adoption.<br />

08 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 09


Community leaders from the different Indigenous Peoples<br />

(IP) tribes of Caraga converged at Almont Hotel’s Inland<br />

Resort on March 28-29, <strong>2016</strong> for the Whole of the Nations Initiative<br />

(WNI) engagement, where a proposed 198 classroom buildings<br />

will be constructed in IP communities all over the region.<br />

The WNI engagement, which is being spearheaded by the<br />

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)<br />

through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive<br />

and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS)<br />

Program, is a convergent effort of the different stakeholders<br />

(national agencies/national commission offices) in addressing<br />

the different issues of poverty, especially those related to<br />

conflict problems.<br />

DSWD is in partnership with the Department of Education<br />

(DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),<br />

and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in<br />

extending aid to IP communities in providing school classroom<br />

buildings, especially those communities in geographically<br />

isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) which still do not<br />

have provisions for school classrooms.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, addresses the IP Summit participants<br />

during her welcome address, thanking the leaders for their time and<br />

effort in attending the said activity. During her speech, she promised<br />

the participants that DSWD and the partner agencies will give a hundred<br />

percent to ensure the success of the WNI engagement in the different IP<br />

communities in the region.<br />

Tanny Quillano, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory<br />

Representatvie (IPMR) of Carmen, Surigao Del Sur, expressed<br />

that the classroom buildings should be designed in<br />

accordance to the different tribes’ customs and traditions.<br />

Engineer Jovenal Bernat, Regional Community<br />

Infrastructure Specialist for Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga<br />

presents the specifics of the proposed classroom<br />

building designs to the body, subject to their<br />

comments and suggestions.<br />

DSWD Field Office Caraga Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, commended the IP leaders for responding<br />

to the invitation to be part of IP Summit, which will serve as a venue for consultation between the WNI<br />

implementers and the IP leaders.<br />

“Malipayon kami nga ani-a kamo uban kanamo para madungog namo ang inyong opinyon, mga<br />

pangutana, ug mga suhistyon para sa atong pagabuhaton nga partnership sa pagtukod sa mga<br />

classrooms sa inyong mga komunidad (We are glad that everyone is here with us so that we will be able<br />

to hear your opinions, concerns and suggestions in our engagement in building your classrooms in your<br />

communities),” Brigoli said.<br />

The IP Summit is part of the series of activities to be conducted in implementing the WNI engagement,<br />

which would also include site validation of the 198 identified areas, from the 75 barangays, 17 municipalities<br />

all over Caraga, and a community assembly, where the IP leaders will communicate the details of the<br />

WNI engagement to their communities for consensus for the engagement.<br />

The Summit concluded with the IP leaders coming up with their respective scheduled timelines in<br />

implementing the sub-projects in their areas. The schedule will be a guide to the WNI implementers and<br />

the community to ensure that the sub-projects will be completed by June, in time for the <strong>2016</strong> opening<br />

of classes. ###<br />

from page 1- DSWD turns 65...<br />

For the Group category, the<br />

Best Funtioning Convergence<br />

Action Teams were recognized.<br />

The following are the nominees:<br />

MAT Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte<br />

1. Elizabeth D. Cabug-os<br />

2. Darmina M. Jakaira<br />

3. Giemar Lucino<br />

4. Archerd Oraliza<br />

5. Regiel Balagar<br />

6. Homer Deloso<br />

7. Joni Desi G. Lucar<br />

8. Jennifer N. Ayuban<br />

9. Nieva Frenzyl M. Mondalo<br />

10. Mercy Nakila<br />

11. Rolendo Dosol<br />

MAT Tagbina, Surigao del Sur<br />

1. Jireh Niel A. Felizarta<br />

2. Emelyn O. Oliveros<br />

3. Karin Jane C. Balayo<br />

4. Irene C. Coralat<br />

5. Mary Jane Gavino<br />

6. Marilou Tan<br />

7. Jocyglin Decamutan<br />

8. Alfredo Havana<br />

9. Ma.Estella Regaspi<br />

The Best Functioning Team, and second place<br />

at the national level, is the team of Talacogon,<br />

Agusan del Sur with members:<br />

1. Arnold B. Manalo<br />

2. Reynalie Jane P. Salvacion<br />

3. Lovely Mae B. Corpuz<br />

4. Juniel D. Cabiling<br />

5. Shiela Rose W. Bauson<br />

6. Annabelle Labrador<br />

7. Cristy A. Rocero<br />

8. Marlon Radaza<br />

9. Daryl P. Prado<br />

10. Al Aguillon<br />

11. Rienalyn Durango<br />

12. Frietz Gerald Montejo<br />

13. Princess Leolyn Balacuit<br />

14. Jerr Seigfred Kalinawan<br />

15. Engr. Wilben Narbara<br />

16. Charme Lou S. Tero<br />

17. Leo Tristan S Bagcat<br />

Another award for the internal staff is the<br />

Loyalty Award – an incentive granted to DSWD<br />

employees who have served continuously and<br />

satisfactorily the Department for at least ten (10)<br />

years. Social Welfare Officer Vilma U. Bare and<br />

Administrative Assistant Margie Rose Gundaya<br />

were recipients to this award for serving 20 and<br />

25 years, respectively.<br />

In her message, Regional Director Minda B.<br />

Brigoli expressed appreciation to the awardees<br />

and attendees for their commitment in making<br />

sustainable development happen.<br />

“These Awards symbolize our sincere gratefulness<br />

to all of you. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.<br />

The 65 years of DSWD will not be this meaningful<br />

without your support and/or collaboration.” said<br />

Brigoli, addressing the awardees.<br />

Furthermore, Undersecretary Camilo G.<br />

Gudmalin, the keynote speaker of the event,<br />

encouraged all the awardees through voicing his<br />

appreciation and congratulations. His message<br />

emphasized the essence of the Convergence<br />

strategy and its high importance in excellently<br />

delivering the programs and services of DSWD.<br />

He encouraged the present partners and<br />

stakeholders to continue their support.<br />

Gudmalin also commended Brigoli for her<br />

leadership and cited the various awards that<br />

were reaped by DSWD-Caraga in the previous<br />

year, highlighting the ISO certification.<br />

“I share with your pride of being the FIRST Field<br />

Office of DSWD to be ISO 9001: 2008 certified,”<br />

he said.<br />

Other highlights of the half-day event are the<br />

response messages of Mayor Clarita Limbaro of<br />

Bayabas, Surigao del Sur and CSWDO Letecia<br />

Yu of Bislig City and the launching of Larawan<br />

2.0 compendium and Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 2nd<br />

Semester CY 2015.<br />

DSWD 65th anniversary celebration bears the<br />

theme, “DSWD@65: Mga Kwentong Tagumpay<br />

Tungo sa Masaganang Pagbabago”. ###<br />

10 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 11


A<br />

total of 30 Community Development<br />

(CD) students from the Mindanao State<br />

University – Main (Marawi) will be exposed<br />

to Community-Driven Development (CDD)<br />

implementation in communities under<br />

the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan –<br />

Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery<br />

of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program<br />

here in Caraga.<br />

The Department of Social Welfare and<br />

Development (DSWD) Caraga welcomed<br />

the students, together with their school<br />

officials and clinical instructors who will be<br />

having their five month – long practicum<br />

here in the region.<br />

A<br />

s the lead<br />

agency for the<br />

National Adoption<br />

Consciousness<br />

celebration every<br />

February,<br />

the<br />

Department of<br />

Social Welfare<br />

and Development<br />

(DSWD)-Caraga<br />

conducted different<br />

activities this month in<br />

relation to intensifying<br />

the advocacy efforts<br />

on legal adoption.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli (in black) poses with the Foster<br />

and Adoptive Families in Caraga region.<br />

Assistant Regional Director<br />

for Operations Mita G. Lim<br />

expressed delight especially<br />

that DSWD Caraga has been<br />

chosen to be the venue for<br />

the practicum.<br />

“DSWD Caraga feels<br />

proud that MSU –Marawi,<br />

specifically the CD<br />

Department, decided to<br />

have their practicum here<br />

in the region, even though<br />

there are nearer regions in<br />

Lanao del Sur where they<br />

can have their practicum,”<br />

Lim said.<br />

Marian Myrtle G. Onod, CD<br />

Department chairperson<br />

expressed her gratitude<br />

to the management for<br />

accepting their request to<br />

have their practicum in the<br />

region.<br />

“We have received a lot<br />

of positive feedbacks,<br />

especially from our CD<br />

graduates, about the<br />

performance of DSWD<br />

Caraga in the implementation<br />

of Kalahi-CIDSS (NCDDP).<br />

We have checked the track<br />

record of the office in their<br />

implementation of CDD, and<br />

sure enough, the information<br />

we have received has been<br />

very positive,” Onod said.<br />

The MSU-Marawi Community Development students, together with their school officials and<br />

instructors pose with Ms. Elsa Montemor (seated, 7th from left), Regional Community-Driven<br />

Specialist (Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga) and members of the Kalahi-CIDSS field workers during the<br />

conduct of the program orientation in DSWD Field Office Caraga, Butuan City.<br />

The students will be deployed<br />

to the different municipalities<br />

in the region, where they will<br />

be immersed to barangays/<br />

communities with Kalahi-CIDSS<br />

implementation. Students will<br />

be mentored by Kalahi-CIDSS<br />

field workers assigned in<br />

implementing municipalities, and<br />

will be overseen by the Regional<br />

Program Management Office<br />

(RPMO) of Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga.<br />

Ondo also explained that DSWD<br />

Caraga was highly endorsed,<br />

even by their College Dean<br />

because of the performance<br />

of Kalahi-CIDSS Caraga, as per<br />

record from the National Program<br />

Management Office. She also added<br />

that MSU-Marawi is trying to improve<br />

their CD curriculum, and pattern<br />

it closer to Kalahi-CIDSS, deviating<br />

from the curriculum designed after<br />

the Department of Interior and Local<br />

Governance.<br />

“We need to adjust our curriculum<br />

and pattern it with Kalahi-CIDSS since<br />

it is now the lead CDD program of<br />

the government with the emergence<br />

of the NCDDP,” Ondo said.<br />

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the lead<br />

anti-poverty programs of the<br />

Philippine Government being<br />

implemented by DSWD in the various<br />

municipalities in Caraga. ###<br />

A kick-off program was<br />

facilitated on February 15, <strong>2016</strong> at Robinsons Mall, Butuan<br />

City and was attended by the members of the Regional<br />

Child Welfare Specialist Group (RCWSG), Prospective<br />

Adoptive Parents, selected Local Social Welfare and<br />

Development Offices (LSWDOs), media partners, residents<br />

and staff of Home for Girls, and other guests.<br />

Other activities conducted are Launch and Distribution<br />

of Adoption Hotline (Feb.15), Family Portrait Contest<br />

(Feb.13-15) Installation of Information and Help Desk at<br />

Robinsons Mall (Feb.13-14), Poster Making Contest for high<br />

school students (Feb.17), Regional Congress for Adoptive<br />

and Foster Parents (Feb.18-19), TV/Radio Guestings,<br />

Deca5second Film Competition for DSWD employees<br />

(Feb 1-15), Regional Adoption Forum (Feb.16-17), and<br />

Special Adoption Forum for DepEd Employees (Feb.17).<br />

Messages that the DSWD wanted to convey through the<br />

conduct of the mentioned activities are the following:<br />

(1) There is NO distinction between an adopted and a<br />

biological child because they have the same rights; (2)<br />

There should be a pro-active approach to the prevention<br />

of direct entrustment of children for adoption; and (3)<br />

Prospective and adoptive parents are discouraged to<br />

go through independent entrustment/placement only to<br />

come out later on the legalization of adoption.<br />

The advocacy on legal adoption reminds the public that<br />

Simulation, or the tampering of the birth certificate to<br />

make it appear that the adoptive parents are the real<br />

parents, is a criminal offense and has a corresponding<br />

penalty.<br />

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli, who graced the<br />

lined-up events, said that DSWD bolsters its advocacy to<br />

assure the public that the Department can deliver one of<br />

its mandates which is to look for the welfare of<br />

the children.<br />

“Through our RCWSG members, we can<br />

ensure that these surrendered, abandoned,<br />

and neglected children are placed in suitable<br />

families and homes through Adoption which<br />

justifiably determines the best welfare and<br />

interest of these children,” she said.<br />

“With these, we are urging everyone to be<br />

strong advocates of Legal Adoption,” Brigoli<br />

added.<br />

This year’s observance of the celebration has<br />

the theme “Legal na Ampon Ako, Anak na<br />

Totoo (A Child Finds Worth in Legal Adoption)”<br />

###<br />

12 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 13


Her perspective about life now widened.<br />

She can now afford sending her children to<br />

college. Her daughter Penkie graduated<br />

Bachelor of Science in Commerce major<br />

in Management at Don Jose College. Her<br />

son Lydon is currently studying in the same<br />

school. Benjamer, her youngest is now a<br />

grade 10 student at Don Ruben Edera<br />

Ecleo Sr. Memorial National High School.<br />

The latter attends youth development<br />

session (YDS) and was one of the<br />

participants of the Gender and<br />

Development (GAD) caravan in their<br />

province.<br />

“Ako ang usa lamang sa liboan nga mga benepesyaryo<br />

nga nabag-o ang kinabuhi tungud sa programa.<br />

Kinahanglan nga mapadayun gyud ang programa aron<br />

mas daghan pa nga parehas nako nga makatawid<br />

sa kaunlaran. Karon, makaingun na jud ko nga Kaya<br />

Ko ang Pagbabago (I am just one of the thousand<br />

partner-beneficiaries of the program whose lives have<br />

changed because of the intervention of the Pantawid<br />

Pamilya. This program should be institutionalized so it could<br />

help more Filipino alleviate poverty condition. Now, I can<br />

say, Kaya Ko Ang Pagbabago),” she closes.<br />

When love, hard work, dedication, and trust to oneself are<br />

there, Amelita’s story can also happen to everyone. ###<br />

There have been lots of rugs to<br />

riches stories told. However,<br />

the story of Amelita is just one of<br />

a kind; hers is a colourful story of<br />

love, and how she fought for it.<br />

In 1979, Perquera Family moved<br />

to San Jose, Province of Dinagat<br />

Islands for good. Amelita is married<br />

to Romeo, a native from the<br />

Visayas. The couple is blessed with<br />

four (4) children- Jomar, Penkie,<br />

Lyndon, and Benjamer.<br />

Living in an island, Romeo does<br />

fishing for a living. He cuts across<br />

the wide blue Dinagat inlet to<br />

provide food for his family.<br />

Amelita helps him. Blessed with<br />

skills on handicrafts, she makes<br />

bags, wallets, bracelets, and<br />

other souvenir items. During peak<br />

seasons, when members of the<br />

Philippine Benevolent Missionaries<br />

Association (PBMA) gather,<br />

she accepts orders from the<br />

organization’s official.<br />

Hardships and Realizations<br />

Despite all efforts, the couple still<br />

see a problem in augmenting the<br />

needs of their children. Jomar,<br />

their eldest was forced to help<br />

them. This was the reason he did<br />

not finish high school.<br />

“Lisud kayo pamalandungun<br />

ang mga kaagi nga nanglabay.<br />

Panagsa, matulog mi nga walay<br />

kan-anay (It’s so hard to think<br />

how we have gone through with<br />

the past. Sometimes, we go to<br />

sleep even without food in the<br />

stomach),” Amelita shares.<br />

With the difficulty, she regrets<br />

not attending classes when she<br />

was still studying.<br />

“Lisud diay gyud kaayo ning<br />

wala tay gi-eskwelahan.<br />

Kanang dili ta kabasa, dili ta<br />

kasulat, murag imong mabati<br />

nga ang oportunidad, sa uban<br />

lang mahatag, ug ikaw wala<br />

gyud tawon (It’s so hard when<br />

we haven’t gone to school. If<br />

you can’t read and write, it feels<br />

like opportunities are only given<br />

to others),” she adds.<br />

Pesquera Family remains hopeful<br />

that they could withstand<br />

poverty. Their love for one<br />

another inspires them to make<br />

the most of the little they have.<br />

“Tungud sa gugma sa akong<br />

pamilya mupadayon kami. Uban<br />

sa akong bana, mangita mi ug<br />

pamaagi aron makahilwas kami<br />

sa kalisud (Because of the love<br />

of my family, we will continue.<br />

With my husband, we will find<br />

ways to alleviate our poverty<br />

condition),” Amelita quips.<br />

Obvious Changes<br />

In 2010, Pesquera Family<br />

became a recipient of Pantawid<br />

Pamilyang Pilipino Program.<br />

It is a conditional cash transfer<br />

(CCT) program of the Philippine<br />

Government under the<br />

Department of Social Welfare<br />

and Development (DSWD).<br />

It aims to eradicate extreme<br />

poverty in the Philippines by<br />

investing in health and education<br />

of children particularly ages<br />

0-18. It is patterned on programs<br />

in other developing countries in<br />

Brazil (Bolsa Familia) and Mexico<br />

(Opurtunidades).<br />

“Nalipay kaayo ko kay nakita<br />

nako nga wala gyud diay mi<br />

nakalimtan sa atong gobyerno.<br />

Karon nga naa na ang Pantawid<br />

Pamilya, wala nay rason nga dili<br />

nako mapa-eskwela ang akong<br />

mga anak. Ako na gayud nga<br />

matagaan ug mapanalipdan<br />

ang akong mga anak sa sakit<br />

tungud kay gina-monitor man<br />

sa maong programa ang health<br />

sa akong mga anak (I am so<br />

happy that Pantawid Pamilya<br />

came and helped us. I have<br />

proven that our Government did<br />

not forget us. I don’t have any<br />

reason not to send my children<br />

to school. I can now protect my<br />

children from sickness because<br />

the program monitors their<br />

health),” says Amelita.<br />

Grateful and Inspired<br />

Amelia is thankful to other government<br />

agencies for the interventions her<br />

family received. She was part of the<br />

enhanced handicraft training of the<br />

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),<br />

and training on Philippine Traceability for<br />

Revitalized Agricultural Competitiveness<br />

Enhancement System. In 2010, she was<br />

also elected as member of the barangay<br />

council.<br />

Seeing her potential, the Sustainable<br />

Livelihood Program (SLP) of DSWD<br />

included her in the Product Development<br />

Training to fully enhance her skills in<br />

handicraft making and help her find a<br />

bigger market.<br />

Amelita’s products are now displayed<br />

in Tindahang Pinoy at Robinsons Place<br />

Butuan. The said gallery is owned by a<br />

private proprietor whose products are<br />

produced by DSWD and DTI Caraga<br />

program partner-beneficiaries.<br />

14 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 15


In line with the 65th anniversary celebration of the<br />

Department of Social Welfare and Development<br />

(DSWD), outstanding employees were given<br />

recognition through the PRAISE and Loyalty Awards<br />

held at AIM Conference Center, Makati City on<br />

January 27, <strong>2016</strong>.<br />

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman (in pink Filipiniana) personally hands the<br />

certificates of recognition to the members of MAT Talacogon as 2nd place<br />

Best Functioning Action Team (Photo Credits: Jane Pulido)<br />

Infrastructure, commercial, and<br />

agro-industrial sectors have<br />

always been the top priorities<br />

among the developing countries<br />

such as the Philippines.<br />

In terms of formulation of key<br />

policies, programs, and budget<br />

allocation, the municipality of<br />

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur,<br />

however, is making a different<br />

trend. The Local Social Welfare and<br />

Development (LSWDO) topped<br />

the budget appropriations for<br />

the year 2015; a scenario which<br />

some consider a deviance to the<br />

customary.<br />

As to the appropriations at<br />

the local level, some social<br />

welfare offices lag behind<br />

livelihood, infrastructure, and<br />

agricultural offices. We have<br />

been entrenched of the tangible<br />

dogma at development which<br />

includes building, concrete roads<br />

and infrastructure as hallmarks<br />

of progress. This in turn causes a<br />

decline in interest on intangible<br />

yet vital aspects of development<br />

which include social services.<br />

The relentless effort to put<br />

emphasis in finding social services<br />

through comprehensive reports<br />

and statistics made a shift on the<br />

trend. This has created a wakeup<br />

call to put a halt on downplaying<br />

the significance of social welfare<br />

agenda as it is already considered<br />

to be an important determinant of<br />

sustainable growth and progress.<br />

Networking and Resource<br />

Allocation on Display<br />

What better way to ask for<br />

budget increase than to<br />

show concrete evidence of<br />

accomplishments despite<br />

having a lower budget in<br />

the preceding years? The<br />

MSWDO exemplary display<br />

a professional disposition in<br />

times of local performance<br />

checkpoint by showing a good<br />

track record amidst financial<br />

constraints.<br />

So how it is really done and<br />

accomplished? Having a low<br />

budget allocation has never<br />

been a top consideration<br />

on one’s performance and<br />

after all, MSWD is primarily all<br />

about service. This created<br />

an innovative working<br />

environment as a response to<br />

the challenge. Resources are<br />

utilized and mobilized outside<br />

the office to keep in the loop<br />

of delivering programs and<br />

services for the clients such<br />

as those from the barangays<br />

and the Non-Government<br />

Organizations (NGOs) and<br />

People’s Organizations (POs)<br />

such as the Rotary Clubs.<br />

There is this unique bond that<br />

links the MSWD office and<br />

the barangay that is rooted<br />

deeper than just merely giving<br />

and receiving relief goods in<br />

times of disasters. This way used<br />

merely as an advantage in the<br />

successful implementation of<br />

the programs and services in the<br />

barangays. Usually, programs<br />

with limited or no budget<br />

allocation are scraped out in the<br />

line-up of services, but not in this<br />

case. In fact, this has even made<br />

them more eager to deliver<br />

despite the situation. Support<br />

from the barangay officials and<br />

private service providers within<br />

the network played a huge<br />

part in the implementation<br />

of programs and projects<br />

despite the surrounding limiting<br />

circumstances.<br />

Children in conflict with the law<br />

(CICL) on top of the priorities<br />

The office was instrumental in<br />

maintaining a profiling activity<br />

on the status of children every<br />

year. They made it a point that<br />

the barangays embrace this<br />

survey like profiling on children<br />

to capture children in need<br />

of special protection (CNSP)<br />

that is including CICL and<br />

Children At Risk (CAR) cases. The<br />

consolidated result showed that<br />

right now, there are at least 20<br />

CICL or CAR cases yearly and<br />

it is increasing. The trend also<br />

suggests that along with the<br />

growing economy of the LGU,<br />

a social problem such as CICL is<br />

sprouting. San Francisco is more<br />

looking like a full grown city than<br />

the other officially anointed<br />

Cities in Caraga just recently.<br />

For Field Office Caraga, Social Technology and<br />

Standards Unit Head Golda V. Pocon was awarded<br />

as one of the Outstanding DSWD Workers as Public<br />

Servants.<br />

Her numerous significant and notable contributions<br />

in the Department were recognized through the<br />

accolade.<br />

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman and<br />

Caraga Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli during<br />

the PRAISE and Loyalty Awards<br />

for the DSWD 65th Anniversary<br />

Also an awardee is the group of the Municipal<br />

Action Team (MAT) in Talacogon, Agusan del<br />

Sur with members Arnold B. Manalo, Reynalie<br />

Jane P. Salvacion, Lovely Mae B. Corpuz, Juniel<br />

D. Cabiling, Shiela Rose W. Bauson, Annabelle<br />

Labrador, Cristy A. Rocero, Marlon Radaza,<br />

Daryl P. Prado, Al Aguillon, Rienalyn Durango,<br />

Frietz Gerald Montejo, Princess Leolyn Balacuit,<br />

Jerr Seigfred Kalinawan, Engr. Wilben Narbara,<br />

Charme Lou S. Tero, and Leo Tristan S Bagcat.<br />

The said team got the second place spot of the<br />

Best Functioning Action Team award.<br />

MAT Talacogon was assessed as a functional Convergence team<br />

with the obvious presence of the following elements: unified<br />

office space with sufficient, appropriate equipment and logistics,<br />

presence of an organizational chart, identity/brand formulated<br />

which is Mahigugmaong Talacogon, own Vision, Mission, and<br />

Goals anchored on the VMG of the Department, regular conduct<br />

of monthly MAT and Municipal Convergence Action Committee<br />

meetings, and Scorecard and Action Plans.<br />

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Undersecretary<br />

Camilo G. Gudmalin personally handed the plaques of recognition<br />

and cash prizes to the awardees who were accompanied by<br />

DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli.<br />

Brigoli also received a Loyalty Award for her 40 years in public<br />

service.<br />

The said staff and official will again be recognized in the regional<br />

celebration of Field Office Caraga on February 19, <strong>2016</strong> at Almont<br />

Hotel’s Inland Resort, Butuan City.<br />

The giving of awards under the PRAISE (Program for Rewards,<br />

Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) awards is an annual<br />

activity of the DSWD to encourage and recognize exemplary<br />

performance of its employees nationwide.<br />

This year’s 65th Anniversary Celebration of DSWD bears the theme, “DSWD@65: Mga Kwento ng Tagumpay<br />

Tungo sa Masaganang Pagbabago”.<br />

To page 21<br />

16 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 17


Change starts with a simple<br />

choice.<br />

In December 3, 2013, the 158<br />

members of Self-Employment<br />

Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K)<br />

Federation in Jabonga, Agusan del<br />

Norte agreed to contribute Php500<br />

each to put up a catering services<br />

livelihood project. With a starting<br />

capital from their own pockets<br />

amounting to Php86, 500, the<br />

Jabonga SEA-K Federation, Inc. was<br />

able to put up a Catering Services<br />

business.<br />

Through the Technical Vocational<br />

Skills Training on Catering Facilitation<br />

along with starter kits provided by<br />

the Sustainable Livelihood Program<br />

(SLP), the business was able to<br />

operate more efficiently.<br />

“Nakita namu na maayo na<br />

negosyo ang catering services,<br />

mao ng nangita mi ug paagi na<br />

mapatungod kini (We see catering<br />

services as good business that is<br />

why we find way to put it up),” says<br />

Florence Mongaya, the federation’s<br />

president.<br />

“Ug tungod sa tabang sa SLP, mas<br />

natarong amo pag operate sa<br />

negosyo (And with SLP’s help, we<br />

were able to operate our business<br />

efficiently),” she adds.<br />

A space in the heart of the municipality<br />

was donated by the Municipal Local<br />

Government Unit (MLGU) that served as<br />

storage room for catering service and<br />

display center. This is taken advantage<br />

by engaging into general merchandise,<br />

display center and office; and<br />

stockroom for their catering services.<br />

The display center provides a venue for<br />

the products of the various associations.<br />

“Pasalamat kami sa space na gihatag<br />

sa munisipyo kay makatabang kini sa<br />

hustong pagpromote namu sa amo<br />

produkto (We are grateful of the space<br />

provided by the municipality; this<br />

helped us in promoting our products),”<br />

says June Ann Dejolde, the federation’s<br />

treasurer.<br />

The federation accepts catering<br />

services in all occasions and even<br />

provides services to SLP, Kapit-Bisig<br />

Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive<br />

and Integrated Delivery of Social<br />

Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), Department<br />

of Science and Technology (DOST),<br />

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),<br />

and even in Supplementary Feeding<br />

Program. In line with this, an honorarium<br />

is provided to those who have been<br />

part during the catering such as Cook,<br />

assistant Cook, and servers.<br />

With a positive net profit, the<br />

federation has expanded their business<br />

through micro-lending and general<br />

merchandise.<br />

The micro-lending business offer less<br />

interest rates. The general merchandise<br />

has brought an easy access to basic<br />

commodities and other wide array of<br />

goods.<br />

“Kay nakaya namu ang kabag-uhan,<br />

amo kini ipadayon ug daghang salamat<br />

SLP (Because we conquered the<br />

change, we will continue it and thank<br />

you SLP),” June Ann concludes. ###<br />

Members of the Jabonga SEA-K Federation show their bliss inside<br />

their general merchandise space located beside the municipal hall<br />

of the town. The space was a local counterpart contribution of the<br />

local government of Jabonga to them.<br />

18 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 19


One adoptee once shared, “My birth mother<br />

brought me into this world, but it is my adoptive<br />

parents who gave life to me”.<br />

Louie (not his real name), has been under the<br />

custody of his foster family since he was two (2)<br />

days old. Couple Ronnel and Daisy (not their real<br />

names) are very delighted with Louie’s presence in<br />

their family. They introduced him to their three (3)<br />

biological children as their youngest brother.<br />

Sickly and physically weak, the couple did not<br />

consider Louie as a burden to the family rather a<br />

great blessing for them to show love at its finest and<br />

its most genuine form. Since the child arrived in their<br />

doorsteps through an unknown old lady (said to be<br />

the biological grandmother), Louie is observed to<br />

be pale, thin, and yellowish.<br />

“When the old lady knocked in our door and asked<br />

our help to take care of Louie, he was wrapped<br />

with a green baby cloth,” shares Daisy.<br />

“He (Louie) wore white gloves, white socks, and<br />

white cap. Weighing 2.6 kilos only, his ribs were very<br />

noticeable and he has few rashes on his body.” she<br />

adds.<br />

Since then, the couple have always brought<br />

Louie to the pediatrician for constant medication.<br />

According to the doctor, the baby has a weak<br />

immune system and he needs to take vitamins<br />

and other medication to boost his system.<br />

Complete immunization was then provided to<br />

the child.<br />

Two months after, Louie was admitted to<br />

their town hospital, and was diagnosed with<br />

congenital heart disease. He has Atrial Septal<br />

Defect (ASD) measuring 6.9mm-9.00mm with<br />

left to right shunting. He was recommended to<br />

undergo a Two-Dimensional Echocardiogram<br />

(2d Echo) every six months to monitor his septum<br />

defect. According to the doctor, the septum<br />

may possibly close but there is also a possibility<br />

that it will not. If Louie would turn 1 year old and<br />

the septum will not close, he is advised to undergo<br />

heart surgery for the closure of Ventricular Septal<br />

defect tetralogy of Fallot when he is between 1<br />

to 5 years old.<br />

Like their own, the couple ensured the good<br />

health of Louie and followed the prescriptions<br />

of the doctor. Both Ronnel and Daisy did not<br />

hesitate to spend money to guarantee that<br />

Louie will be treated from his sickness and he will<br />

be of sound health.<br />

Gladly, when Louie turned 1 year and 11 months,<br />

the doctor found out that he no longer has the<br />

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).<br />

Louie is now 2 years old. He stands 34 inches and<br />

weighs 9 kilos. The child can now utter words like<br />

Tay-tay, Tetet, and Nanay. He says “nam-nam”<br />

to express when he is hungry or wants to drink<br />

milk. Louie smiles and giggles when played by<br />

the biological children of her foster parents. He<br />

dances when he hears music, learns gesture by<br />

bowing his head to touch the hand of the elders<br />

as a sign of respect. He now can walk on his own<br />

and roam around the house unassisted.<br />

Until now, the couple has no idea on the names<br />

and address of Louie’s biological family. They<br />

tried various means such as broadcast and print<br />

media to ask the public regarding the identity of<br />

the child’s parents. However, there were no responses to the said<br />

announcements and none of his biological family appeared to<br />

the proper authorities. When Louie’s grandmother brought him to<br />

the couple last September 2013 in their house in Surigao City, she<br />

begged them to take care of her grandson because they could<br />

not afford to raise the child and provide his basic needs. The only<br />

information provided to them was that the mother of the child was<br />

still underage.<br />

It has been two years since the child’s parents and relatives did<br />

not come back to claim his custody. Nonetheless couple Ronnel<br />

and Daisy are responsibly and compassionately taking good care<br />

of Louie. They are now facilitating their legal adoption of Louie, to<br />

formalize and legalize their already performed role to him as his<br />

parents. ###<br />

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER<br />

Cresencia C. Tiseo of Brgy. San Pablo, Tubod, Surigao del<br />

Norte still has it at 64. She is one of the many women<br />

of Kalahi-CIDSS who are paid laborers working on<br />

their community sub-project. Cresencia is very active in<br />

building their river slope protection sub-project; seen here<br />

providing information to the project foreman regarding the<br />

utilized materials for the day. Kalahi-CIDSS ensures equal<br />

opportunities for men and women in paid labor, and age<br />

is never a problem, as long as they are capable of getting<br />

the job done.<br />

© Photo Credit – Michael Joseph Mongaya<br />

(Community Empowerment Facilitator – Tubod, SDN)<br />

from page 16- Making Social Welfare<br />

a Top Priority...<br />

During the Annual Prioritization of<br />

the Local Poverty Reduction Action<br />

Team (LPRAT), the office is pushing<br />

hard that the increasing number<br />

of CICL cases in the municipality<br />

should be included among the top<br />

ten priorities of the LGU. As a result,<br />

the problem has indeed landed<br />

a spot in the list – at the third (3rd)<br />

spot. As the LPRAT is the anointed<br />

body to determine appropriations<br />

for poverty alleviation programs,<br />

the office proposed to construct<br />

a center or youth care facility for<br />

CICLs. This we dubbed as “The<br />

Community-Based Detention and<br />

Rehabilitation Center (CBDRC)<br />

for Children in Need of Special<br />

Protection”. Today, the center is<br />

now 80% complete and the budget<br />

for Operation and Maintenance of<br />

the facility is already approved.<br />

The decade old Comprehensive<br />

Programs for Children and Youth<br />

has been in existence almost a<br />

year when the Juvenile Justice<br />

and Welfare Act or Republic Act<br />

(RA) 9344 was approved in 2006.<br />

The programs and services for<br />

same have seen its ups and lows,<br />

but it did not vanish. Resources<br />

were tapped to keep it afloat<br />

until these little victories emerge.<br />

The construction of a youth care<br />

facility in the municipality and the<br />

budget increase for social welfare<br />

and just some of the bigger reasons<br />

to celebrate in recent years and in<br />

<strong>2016</strong>.<br />

This is a high indication that the call<br />

for more empowered, coordinated<br />

social services are slowly being<br />

heard. These things are important<br />

since without the support, the<br />

overall goal of providing quality life<br />

to constituents would seem a long<br />

shot for years to come. ###<br />

20 JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong><br />

JAN-MAR <strong>2016</strong> Caraga <strong>Frontline</strong> 21


visit our website:<br />

www.caraga.dswd.gov.ph<br />

like us on facebook :<br />

DSWD Caraga<br />

follow us on twitter :<br />

@dswdcaraga<br />

follow us on instagram :<br />

@dswd_caraga<br />

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT<br />

Field Office Caraga || R. Palma St., Butuan City<br />

Telephone Nos. (085) 342-5619 to 20; (085) 815-9173<br />

E-mail: focrg@dswd.gov.ph

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