The Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted an orientation on the Listahanan-National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) among the local chief executives of Batangas province during the League of Mayors meeting held at San Nicolas, Batangas last November 15, 2013.

The orientation focused on briefing the chief executives on the Listahanan process and an update on the second round of household assessment that is being targeted to be conducted before the end of 2013.  For the second round of assessment, households in identified poor communities will undergo assessment utilizing the standard household assessment form (HAF) of Listahanan-NHTS-PR.  The said tool is similar to the tool used in 2009-10 first round assessment.  The result of which is an updated masterlist of poor households.

According to Ms Gladeewyn F. Decena, DSWD Field Office IV-A Focal Person for the Listahanan-NHTS-PR, the local chief executives of Batangas were a bit apprehensive about Listahanan-NHTS-PR considering that they are more familiar with the community based monitoring system (CBMS).  It was explained to the executives that both systems are tools for planning and are complementary.  However, it was also emphasized that Listahanan-NHTS-PR’s objective is to identify who and where the poor are for the implementation of the government’s social protection programs.

The Mayors, led by the League President Mayor Nilo Villanueva (Municipality of Mabini) and Executive Vice President Mayor Epifanio Sandoval (San Nicolas) expressed appreciation on the briefing conducted.  They also requested that they be provided with update on the Listahanan-NHTS-PR, especially on the conduct and scheduling of the 2^nd round of assessment.

Other Batangas local chief executives present were from the municipalities of Talisay, Tuy, Ibaan, Cuenca, Lemery, San Pascual, Agoncillo, Lobo, San Juan, San Luis, Nasugbu, Calaca, Balete, Lian, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Sta. Teresita, and Bauan.

To date, there are 404,707 households across the CALABARZON region identified and included in the masterlist of poor households as a result of the first round of assessment and special validations conducted under the Listahanan-NHTS-PR.  At least 20 local government units, national government agencies and non-government organization have entered into an agreement with the field office for the provision of the said  masterlist and utilization of this for their respective programs and services for the poor.***