The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continuously seeks partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) towards improving the living condition of its beneficiaries.

In a recently conducted Advocacy cum Consultation Forum with CSOs in Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province, the DSWD advocated for the CSOs’ possible engagement with the agency, particularly in helping the DSWD achieve its goals for its beneficiaries.

According to Ms. Virgie Arenasa, head of the Standards Unit of the DSWD Field Office IV-A, the role of the CSOs is important in providing more opportunities to the beneficiaries of the different DSWD programs and services. She said that the CSOs can engage in providing livelihood opportunities and skills training for beneficiaries, conducting Family Development Sessions (FDS) for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries and providing services to clients in various centers and institutions.

Executive Director Joselito Rodriguez of the E. Zobel Foundation, one of the active CSO partners of the DSWD IV-A, shared that their engagement with the agency is a means to help the beneficiaries, particularly on the gaps on health, education and livelihood.

The E. Zobel Foundation has partnered with the DSWD last 2014 and now provides various services such as livelihood and capacity building activities to help improve the economic condition of the beneficiaries in Calatagan, Batangas Province.

Just recently, they have provided a basic sewing training and a startup sewing machine under their Grassroot Livelihood Project to 19 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the said town.

Dir. Rodriguez encouraged other CSOs to help the DSWD particularly in the provision of livelihood opportunities to the program beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Arenasa called for the continuous support of current CSO partners and encouraged other organizations to identify possible areas of partnership based on their resources and capacities.

Besides engaging in the provision of services to the beneficiaries, the CSOs can also engage in ensuring transparency in the planning and implementation of DSWD projects particularly on the use of public funds.

To date, there are 22 active CSO partners engaging in various programs and services of the DSWD. Majority of this number engages in the conduct of the monthly FDS for the parent-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya program.# with reports from MADiaz & HMaligaya