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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