The Department of Social Welfare and Development recently participated in an information caravan aimed at increasing the public’s knowledge on the programs and services of the government especially for poor families.

The caravan, which was held in Southville 9, Brgy. Pinugay, Baras, Rizal was spearheaded by the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor (PCUP) and was participated by government agencies from both at the national and local levels. Each participating government agency distributed materials about their respective programs, provided some of their services, and answered inquiries from participating community members.

According to Randy Halasan, PCUP Commissioner the caravan is being implemented nationwide and it aims to bring the government closer to the people by providing them the much needed information about these. He challenged the residents of Baras to maximize this opportunity and gave commitment that this will not be the last caravan to be conducted in the Baras.

For the DSWD, a team from its Field Office IV-A led by SWAD Team leader of Rizal Province Social Welfare Office II Nercimely Vicente distributed information materials on the Department’s programs and services.  The team also responded to inquiries mostly revolving on how to avail of financial assistance for medical and education needs, the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and livelihood assistance.

The team also informed the community residents of Brgy Pinugay about the scheduled 3^rd Round Household Assessment under the Listahanan Targeting system this coming September 2019, and the needed manpower requirements for this.

For Financial assistance (educational, medical and burial), SWO II Vicente, encouraged the residents to visit the Rizal SWAD office in Antipolo City, Rizal for the assessment of the client and processing of the documents. Concerns regarding the Pantawid program and the Sustainable Livelihood program were responded by Marven Cursat, Project Development Officer for Rizal Province, who was also present during the activity.

Aside from DSWD, other government agencies such as National Food Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Transportation Office, Department of Labor and Employment, Public Employment Service Office, Public Attorney’s Office and Philippine Statistics Authority were also present during the caravan participated by at least 2000 resident of Baras, Rizal.***