DSWD Field Office IV-A Regional Director Leticia T. Diokno shares her appreciation to the beneficiaries of the different DSWD programs and services for airing their concerns regarding the program implementation. According to Dir. Diokno, their voice is important towards helping the Department improve its delivery of services to the poor.

In a gathering of around 150 DSWD beneficiaries, majority of whom are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province, the University of the Philippines Ugnayan ng Pahinungod facilitated a forum with these beneficiaries to gather not just the positive impact of the different programs and services provided to them but as well as their concerns and suggestions for better program implementation. The said forum was conducted in Sta. Cruz Pilot Evacuation Center in Brgy. Duhat last March 28, 2015.***

 

 

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UPLB, DSWD tie up towards hearing the voice of the beneficiaries

Around 150 beneficiaries of the different programs and services of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province voiced their experiences for the help provided to them by the agency through a forum conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Ugnayan ng Pahinungod. The said forum was conducted last March 28, 2015 in the said town.

The UPLBUgnayanngPahinungod is the volunteer service program of the University of the Philippines composed of faculty, alumni and students.

Mr. Glen Labuguin, head of the said organization, shared that this partnership aims to help the people in sharing their experiences with the DSWD programs and services and in turn, will help the DSWD in improving the implementation of the said programs.

Majority of the beneficiaries in the said forum are grantees of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, but some have also received other services from the agency such as relief goods during disasters, core shelter assistance, Supplementary Feeding Program and financial assistance through the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situations.

All the participants have acknowledged the help of the programs provided to them, particularly in helping their respective families in supporting the needs of their children. Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya program shared their gratitude not just in providing them cash assistance for the health and education of their children but also for teaching them lessons through the Family Development Sessions.

“Napakalaking tulong po sa amin ng programa para sa panggastos ng aming mga anak sa school pero bukod dito, pinapaunlad nito ang aming isipan na maghanapbuhay at hindi umasa na lang sa cash grant mula sa Pantawid. Sana ipagpatuloy ng programa na mapalawak ang isipan ng mga mahihirap na magsumikap para sa ikakaunlad ng aming mga buhay,” shared Marie Gene Eguarras, a Pantawid beneficiary from Brgy. Gatid.

DSWD Field Office IV-A Leticia Diokno shared, during the forum, her appreciation to the beneficiaries for sharing their experiences as recipients of the DSWD programs and services.

“Ang mga magagandang kwento n’yo ay magagamit natin para ipakita sa publiko na may totoong natutulungan ang mga programang DSWD. Nagpapasalamat rin kami sa pagbibigay ninyo ng mga mungkahi dahil magagamit namin ito para mapaunlad ang aming pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa inyo,” Dir. Diokno said in her response to the beneficiaries.

Dir. Diokno also emphasized to the beneficiaries to not rely on the programs completely.

“Magtulungan tayong paunlarin ang inyong mga pamilya, makipagtulungan kayo sa gobyerno sapamamagitan ng patuloy napaghahanapbuhay at huwag umasa na lang sa mga programa,” she added.

Dir. Diokno also thanked the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod for helping the Department in gathering the experiences of the beneficiaries.

The DSWD continues to strengthen partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) like the UPLB Ugnayan ng Pahinungod for the implementation of its programs and services. In the CALABARZON Region, two forums such as this have already been conducted in the provinces of Cavite and Batangas led by CSO partners  People Power Volunteers for Reform-Cavite and Area-Based Standard Network Batangas Cluster respectively.***