Around 1,000 beneficiaries of programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined in the celebration of the success of citizen participation towards good governance during the Galing Pook Governance Fair held in SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City last August 31, 2015.

The said fair, dubbed as “Mamamayan, Mamamayani,” was organized by the Galing Pook Foundation, a non-profit organization that commits to promote innovation and excellence in local governance.

The DSWD is one of the invited national government agencies (NGAs) to showcase initiatives on citizen empowerment in local governance through its programs Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development program that aims to improve the delivery of social services in poor communities by engaging local residents in the planning and implementation of need-responsive projects in their area. The Pantawid Pamilya, on the other hand, invests on the health and education of poor children through provision of cash grants based on their compliance with set conditions.

Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the regions of CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, CARAGA, and NCR were the delegates of the DSWD for the said fair. They joined the fair’s Unity Walk, led by Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman, together with 5,000 other delegates from various NGAs, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs).

“Sila ang aming mga volunteers at beneficiaries. Bawat isa sa kanila ay kayang-kayang magk’wento ng pagbabago sa kanilang mga buhay sa tulong ng aming mga programa, kasabay ng kanilang pagsisikap para umunlad ang kanilang mga buhay,” said Sec. Soliman.

Sharing their stories of change

During the fair, the volunteers and the beneficiaries from the different regions also had the chance to share their experiences to each other and to other members of the LGUs, NGOs, and CSOs through a dialogue entitled Stories of Change: Empowerment of the Poor through Kalahi‐CIDSS and Pantawid Pamilya.

For the CALABARZON region, 50 Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from Quezon Province had the opportunity to share their stories during the said dialogue.

“Natutunan ko ang gender equality dahil sa Kalahi. Hindi naging hadlang ang pagiging babae ko para makatulong sa construction ng aming project. Isa pa, mas naging confident ako bilang Parent Leader ng Pantawid. Lumakas ang loob ko lalo na’t alam ko naman na lahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa ikabubuti ng aming community,” shared Roselyn Ilagan from the municipality of San Antonio.

Josepina Alenea from the town of Candelaria shared that she realized that she can still do something for her community despite her age.

“Hangga’t kaya ko, tutulong ako sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Pero isa sa mga isinusulong ko ngayon ay maturuan ang mga kabataan sa mga gawaing pangkaunlaran. Habang bata, maganda na mabigyan na sila ng responsibilidad para madala nila ito sa kanilang pagtanda,” said Alenea.

Aleksandra Posarac from the World Bank, one of the observers during the dialogue, said that she is pleased with all the stories she heard from the volunteers and beneficiaries. As one of DSWD’s development partners for the two programs, Posarac added that the World Bank has invested on the right programs towards improving the living condition of poor families.

“The stories of the volunteers and beneficiaries are just proofs that the programs of the DSWD really bring change in the people’s lives. We really believe in these programs and we will continue to support these,” said Posarac.

Call for continuous implementation

During the dialogue, the volunteers and beneficiaries also call for the continuous implementation of the programs even after the end of the current administration.

Secretary Soliman emphasized that it is only them who can make their demands possible. She encouraged the volunteers and beneficiaries to continuously share their stories and serve as spokespersons of the programs so they can show its gains and positive impact in their lives.

“Sa inyo po nakasalalay ang kinabukasan ng ating mga programa. Kumuha tayo ng lakas sa inyong mga kuwentong pagbabago,” Sec. Soliman said.

The volunteers and beneficiaries, on the other hand, took up the challenge and commit to be responsible recipients of the DSWD programs.

“Kitang-kita ko ang kaunlaran ng aming barangay dahil sa mga programa ng DSWD. Kaya patuloy po kaming makikiisa para maipakita natin na napakaganda ng naidudulot nito sa aming buhay, pamilya, at komunidad,” said Maria Oraa from the municipality of Macalelon. #