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Officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Mindanao have met with various civil society groups and government agency representatives to identify areas of cooperation and convergence in a bid to seek potential partners that will augment its sustainable livelihood program.
“The convergence approach pushes us to go beyond our own boundaries. We believe that other groups can also share what they have in order to improve the lives of Pantawid families and that they will no longer go back to their previous survival status,” DSWD-12 Assistant Regional Director Gemma Rivera said.
Norayda Busran, focal person of Sustainable Livelihood Program, said the objective was to ensure the success of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which implementation is being spearheaded by DSWD.
“We have listed all services of other groups and we will identify the appropriate services that will respond to the needs of our 4Ps families," she said.
Mahintana Foundation identified the referral services as part of their commitment.
“Mahintana and Masicap Foundation can refer our beneficiaries especially their income generating project proposals for possible funding of donors,” Rivera added.
The Notre Dame Business Resource Center (NDBRC) also committed to provide entrepreneurial skills training to those families who are willing to go into business.
Meanwhile, PASALI Foundation committed to assist DSWD in the organizational development management and capability building training as well as in the installation of water system in poor communities.
Allah Valley Foundation will also introduce profits out of banana, vinegar and bakery.
Currently, DSWD 12 has provided microenterprise development to 7,265 families in Region 12 and helped employ 153 4Ps families regionwide as part of the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-12) has approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DSWD in a bid to complement programs that aim to reduce poverty in the region.
Ofelia Domingo, DOLE 12 director, said the partnership simply shows government's strong commitment to help the poor.
“Our partnership with DSWD signifies our strong commitment to help poor families improve from their current situation and become empowered part of the community,” Domingo said.
“We commit to help in providing financial assistance to workers’ association or members who would like to avail of our services especially those who have small enterprises or business and help their businesses prosper,” Domingo added.
Rivera thanked DOLE for supporting the agency’s campaign against poverty.
“Pantawid families may be linked to DOLE to avail their services and programs. We are also glad that programs for poor families are given attention,” Rivera said.
Senior labor officer Willie Concepcion announced that the local partnership with DSWD is first from among all regions in the Philippines.“Pantawid workers may be organized into association so that they can propose projects that will enhance their existing businesses,” he said.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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