TOWARDS FAMILY DEVELOPMENT. Family Development Session (FDS) is a component of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that aims to strengthen the relationship and ties of family members necessary to improve in the lives of child-beneficiaries age 0-14 years old. Among the topics discussed during these sessions are husband-wife relationships, child rearing, child’s rights and health and hygiene practices. To ensure these sessions are conducted regularly, the Department continuously partners with civil society organizations like the National Auxiliary Chaplaincy Philippines (NACPHIL) for the implementation of the FDS***

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office IV-A has partnered with the National Auxiliary Chaplaincy Philippines (NACPHIL) for educating beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program through the conduct of Family Development Sessions (FDS). The two parties signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last May 21, 2013 in Bacoor City, Cavite.

The FDS, a component of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, is a monthly session for all parent grantees that discusses topics along enhancement of family life including husband and wife relationship, child’s rights, and home management. These sessions capacitate households to become more responsive and productive in meeting family needs and performing parental responsibilities.

“The Department sees the FDS as the soul of the program as it educates the beneficiaries on their power to get out of their current situation. The FDS improves the values of beneficiaries, which in turn encourages them to dream big for their families,” Regional Director Leticia Diokno said.

The NACPHIL will be DSWD’s partner in the conduct of the monthly FDS in Rizal and some areas in Quezon Province. The MOA, however, is not limited to the FDS facilitation alone. The Agreement signed by the two parties is under the “Kaagapay, Gabay, Bantay, Tulay” framework where they can also engage in other activities in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya such as monitoring corruption and providing antipoverty opportunities such as livelihood and scholarship programs.

“We are very glad of the humility of the organization to be of service to the beneficiaries of Pantawid. The Department needs organizations like NACPHIL to help our staff in the ground. We are very much thankful and we look forward to a good partnership for the duration of the program,” Director Diokno said in her message.

On top of the FDS, the NACPHIL will also provide other services to the beneficiaries of the program. According to their thrusts, they will also conduct marriage seminars, lectures and counseling, family life seminars, and counseling on responsible parenthood.

“We hope that this partnership be a big help to DSWD. Like the Department, NACPHIL also wants to help the poorest of the poor—the beneficiaries served by Pantawid Pamilya,” said Chaplain Ricardo Negros, NACPHIL Focal Person for DSWD Affairs.

The NACPHIL is an association of faith-based groups across the Philippines, which caters community development and programs such as sustainable livelihood and capability building.***