National government agencies (NGAs) conducted series of information caravans to six resettlement sites in the CALABARZON region.

The caravans were held in Southville 9 in Baras, Rizal; Southville 10 in Tanay, Rizal last August 9; Golden Horizon, Southville 2 and Sunshine Ville in Trece Martirez, Cavite last August 10; and Southville 8B in Rodriguez, Rizal last August 15.

The said activities were participated by the following government agencies: Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC).

The information drive aims to provide highlights and updates on the services that can be availed by the residents from the said government agencies, particularly those concerning livelihood.

These NGAs presented a “menu” of their programs and services which will help these relocated families and individuals to cope up with their new living conditions.

Reaching out to displaced families

Residents in these resettlement sites are mostly former informal settlers in Metro Manila which are relocated under the program “Oplan Likas” (Lumikas para Ligtas sa Kalamidad at Sakit), initiated by DILG.

However, due to the location of these sites, residents have limited access to job and livelihood opportunities.

During the information caravan, DSWD distributed various information and educational (IEC) materials to these residents and families in order to provide essential information and updates on its programs and services, particularly the livelihood interventions of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The SLP is a capacity-building program of the DSWD that provides suitable income-generating opportunities to identified poor, vulnerable and marginalized families in order to improve their socio-economic well-being.

During the information caravan held in Southville 8B in Rodriguez, Rizal, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Erica R. Camacho expressed the willingness of the local government unit to support and address the problems these relocated families.

“Bukas po ang DSWD upang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga residente ng Southville 8B, basta pumunta lang po kayo sa aming tanggapan upang masuri natin kung anong mga programa at serbisyo ang maari naming maibigay sa inyo”, Ms. Camacho said.

Further, Rizal SLP Provincial Coordinator Mr. Erick Guevara explained that the DSWD programs and services are inclusive.

“Hindi lang naman po benepisyaryo ng 4Ps ang aming binigiyan ng tulong, ang mga karapatdapat pong indibidwal ay sinusuri namin ang kalagayan sa buhay upang masiguro na ang mga programa at serbisyo ng DSWD ay napapasakamay ng mga tunay na nangangailangan,” he shared.

DSWD stressed out that individuals who are interested to avail or in need of its programs and services, can directly coordinate with their local DSWD for assessment. xxx