Tuguegarao City---Witnessed by Assistant Secretary Javier R. Jimenez, Director of National Government Agencies (NGAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Provincial/Municipal/City Social Welfare and Develop-ment Officers, media and DSWD staff, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 con-ducted an installation program and turn-over ceremo-nies for the new Regional Director of Field Office 02 held at Crown Pavilion, Tuguegarao City last March 22, 2013. Director Violeta A. Cruz is the former Regional Director of Field Office IV-B (MIMAROPA) who will now assume the responsibility of the outgoing Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia, who now also leads DSWD Field Of-fice V. Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Ponciana P. Condoy presented the accomplishments of the past years, briefed the new director on the Regional Situa-tioner and also presented the directions for the field office for CY 2013.

DSWD installs new director for Field Office 02

Tuguegarao City---Spearheaded by Regional Director Vio-leta A. Cruz, around ninety-three (93) employees and work-ers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 joined the bloodletting activity initiated by the department last February 8, 2013 at DSWD Field Office 02 grounds.

Dubbed as “Share your blood, save others’ lives”, the bloodletting activity was part of the week-long celebration of DSWD’s 62

nd founding anniversary in the region.

DSWD Field Office 02 Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz, also one of the blood donors, commended DSWD employ-ees and workers for donating their blood especially this will benefit DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) clients.

First Quarter of CY 2013

O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E D E P A R T M E N T O F S O C I A L W E L F A R E A N D D E V E L O P M E N T F I E L D O F F I C E 0 2

DOS Infocus

...continued on page 5

DSWD FO2 holds bloodletting activity, saving others’ lives

Director Violeta A. Cruz is first in line to donate blood during the DSWD’s blood drive. Looking in are: (from left to right) Ms. Imelda Decena, CIU Head, Director Ponciana P. Condoy, CVMC staff, OIC-ARDA Delia Sto. Tomas and IDD Chief Lucia Alan. Photo by Ailyn Aglaua, AA V

First Quarter of CY 2013

...continued on page 5

Assistant Secretary Javier R. Jimenez (center) witness the turn-over

of responsibilities and installation of new Regional Director Violeta

Page 2

“The success of this project lies in your hands, therefore, together, let us help sustain the project and let us work hard to make this site become a model community for CSAP in Penablanca, Cagayan”, Director Cruz stressed. Moreover, core shelter beneficiaries are or-ganized into Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA), an association of the core shelter beneficiaries which promotes collective action in realizing the goals of the project. The association also addresses the vulnerabilities of the community while em-powering beneficiaries to make the core shel-ter livable and more sustainable.

CSAP is one of the rehabilitation projects of the national government implemented by DSWD Field Office 02 to immediately provide shelter to disaster affected families whose houses were totally damaged and blown down.

In Region 2, a total of 9,269 core shelter units were already awarded to thousands of homeless families who are mostly victims of typhoons, flooding and other natural calamities. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, Regional Information Officer

Peñablanca, Cagayan--- Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD) Field Office O2 headed by Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz recently awarded 110 core shelter units amount-ing to P7.7 million in the municipality of Penablanca, Cagayan to families who are left homeless due to typhoons and other natural calamities.

Each core shelter unit is amounting to P70,000.00 per family beneficiary while the location site, engineering supervision, site development and graveling of road to core shelter site are provided by the Local Govern-ment Unit and to be augmented by the Provincial gov-ernment.

Recipients of these core shelter units are families whose houses were totally blown down or damaged by natural calamities.

These core shelter units are structurally-strong and environment-friendly shelter units which can withstand 180 to 220 kilometer per hour wind, intensity four (4) earthquakes, flooding and other similar hazards. It is a rehabilitation and mitigation strategy that uses work teams composed of the beneficiaries themselves to provide labor for the construction of their houses.

In her message, Director Violeta Cruz encouraged the beneficiaries to love their homes, safeguard their com-munity against crime and ensure that there would be no violence in every home. Director Cruz also empha-sized that each family beneficiary should become re-sponsive, mindful and caring towards his/her neigh-

U/Sec. Parisya H. Taradji turns-over the check and Letter of Agreement (LOA) to a

beneficiary of San Mariano, Isabela. Also in photo are Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia,

Asst. Bureau Director Pacita Sarino, Ms. Evangeline Inigo and Regional Technical

Director Wilfredo Malwavar of DENR RO 02. Photo by Maricel Asejo

DSWD awards 110 core shelters to homeless families

DSWD Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz with ARD Ponciana P. Condoy led the awarding of the 110 core shelter units to the qualified recipients of Brgy. Quibal, Penablanca, Cagayan. Also in photo are Municipal Mayor Marilyn Raguinod of Penablanca, Cagayan and MSWDO Excelsis De Leon. Photo by Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD RIO

Director Violeta A. Cruz personally handed the Certificate of Completion and Acceptance to the President of the Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance. Photo by Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD RIO

Page 3

“That is why we encourage our benefi-ciaries to comply with the conditions of the program so that they will not be re-moved from the program. Hence, the Field Office is exerting all efforts to advo-cate these messages, of course, with the help of our media partners,” Ms. Lubo added.

It was also stressed that since the begin-ning, the Pantawid Pamilya is already free from any politicking because the beneficiaries were identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), which is an another special project of the de-partment.

“Ang ating mga beneficiaries po sa Pantawid ay natukoy sa pamamagitan ng NHTS-PR, na proyekto ng DSWD, kaya maging sa pagtukoy ng beneficiar-

ies, wala pong partisipasyon ang sinumang local chief executive o barangay captain,” said Ailyn Aglaua, Ad-ministrative Assistant of NHTS-PR respectively.

As early as December last year, the Field Office al-ready started advocating the campaign through the use of different medium such as tri-media guestings and interviews and press releases.

The “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign is being imple-mented nationwide to ensure that the programs of the department especially the Pantawid Pamilya will be politics-free and will not be used for the advantage of any politician.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human development program of the national government. It is also a social protection strategy that invests in the health and education of poor children age 0-14 years old. It is widely known as the Philippine conditional cash transfer program. As of January 9, 2013, the pro-gram has 3,843,502 household beneficiaries and oper-ates in 1,605 cities and municipalities in 79 provinces in all 17 regions nationwide.

In region 02, the program has a total of 92, 628 house-holds beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan with 30, 467; Isabela with 44, 030; Quirino with 6, 547 and Nueva Vizcaya with 11, 548 household beneficiaries respectively. ### (Social Marketing Unit, DSWD Field Office 02)

FO2 intensifies advocacy on “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign

“Tanging DSWD lang ang may karapatan na magtanggal ng benepisyaryo mula sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, at hindi kung sino mang pulitiko.”[Only DSWD has the authority to delist beneficiaries from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program]

This is the battlecry of the “Bawal ang Epal Dito” campaign which was emphasized during the guesting of the communication officers of Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 in the Tipon-Tipan sa PIA at the Conference Hall of Philippine Information Agency, Regional Office 02, Tuguegarao City. Tipon-Tipan is a weekly media forum which is being aired live in major cable and radio stations in the Cagayan Valley region.

Since the election is nearing, politicians are employing different antics in order to gain voters to the extent that they use some of the programs of the government especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program of the government which is implemented by DSWD in the 17 regions nationwide.

“It is important for our beneficiaries that they will be empowered with the knowledge that no politician can remove names from the program, so they should not be threatened whenever there are local chief executives who claim that they can,” said Maricel B. Asejo, the Information Officer for Pantawid Pamilya.

Angely M. Lubo, the Regional Information Officer also added that, “Wala naman pong dapat ipag-alala ang ating mga beneficiaries na sila ay maaring matanggal hangga’t sumusunod sila sa mga kondisyon”.

The Information Officers of DSWD FO 02 during a media forum and series of

radio guestings for the intensive advocacy of Bawal and EPAL dito.

Tuguegarao City---In line with the 62nd

founding anni-versary celebration of the Department of Social Wel-fare and Development with the theme “DSWD @ 62: Sama-samang Husay Tungo sa Tagumpay”, the Field Office 02 had prepared a week-long celebration which includes the showcasing of talents among DSWD em-ployees and awarding of citations and recognitions to DSWD partners and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions. As tribute to the fruitful years of stay in the department, the Field office 02 has also recognized its dedicated and committed officials and employees who have ren-dered 10 to 35 years of dedicated service. This year’s Loyalty Awardees are; Ms. Verena Buduan, Ms. Romana Wakit, Mr. Romillo labugeuen, Ms. Ra-monita Malubag, Ms. Jocelyn Ramos, Ms. Isabelita Balbuena, Mr. Ramon Taguinod, Ms. Shirley La-buguen, Ms. Irene Gacias, Ms. Rebecca Aluad and Mr. Juan Zalun. The Loyalty Awardees were given plaque of recogni-tion and cash prizes for their invaluable contribution to DSWD’s exemplary performance and magnanimous accomplishments. Meanwhile, the Field Office has also given certificate of appreciation tp its partners both from the government and non-government organizations, to individuals and organizations which extended a helping hand to the dis-advantaged countrymen so they can have a better fu-ture.

DSWD recognizes loyalty awardees and partners

Page 4

In her message during the culminating program, DSWD Field Office 02 Regional Director Violate A. Cruz empha-sized that DSWD employees and key stakeholders should maintained their vows and commitment to serve the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged sector of the society with in-tegrity towards the attainment of the agency’s goals, objec-tives and vision of having a world class social service. “This event reminds every DSWD employee and stakehold-

ers in the implementation of social protection services that every year is a result of the long years of giving quality service to the underprivileged and vulnerable sectors of the society---a venue to revive employees’ enthusiasm and passion to continue their work with excellence and renewed commitment, not just mandated by the law to serve but of a heart that changes the society”, Director Cruz added. DSWD has reached the 62

nd blessed year because of the

support it continuously receives from its internal staff and partners. “With all our converged efforts and unselfish commitment to deliver social services with integrity, let us continue striving for excellence. Let us carry on our burning desire to serve and protect the welfare of the less fortunate”, Di-rector Cruz said. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD Regional Information Officer

Director Violeta A. Cruz assisted by ARD Ponciana P. Condoy awards the Certificate of Appreciation to a Faith-Based organization for their invaluable support to Cagayan Valley Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (CV-RRCY) residents.

Photo by Kevin Malate, RITO

Promoting healthy and fit lifestyle: Director Violeta A. Cruz and staff join in the fun run during the kick-off celebration for DSWD Anniversary. Photo by Maricel Asejo, Pantawid Information Officer

Tuguegarao City---To support the thrust of the government to provide sustainable interventions to disadvantaged youth to improve their plight and condition and to empower them through skills train-ing and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 headed by Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz launched the Cash-For-Training (C4TP) Program held in Tuguegarao City.

The Cash-for-Training program is a nationwide joint project of DSWD and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Qualified beneficiaries of this program are the dis-advantaged youth who have been assessed as eligible under the expanded Government Internship Program of the DSWD, must be 18 to 30 years old, out of school youth (OSYs) both elementary and high school graduate, college graduate without em-ployment and they must also come from indigent families.

The DSWD will give financial assistance of P20, 000 pesos per beneficiary, does the profiling and identifying of youth beneficiaries through its Local Government Unit counterpart while TESDA will be in charge on skills training and devel-opment.

The P20, 000 pesos per beneficiary will be allotted for scholarship vouchers, assessment fee, entrepreneurship, allowance, tool kits and training cost.

In her message, Director Violeta A. Cruz encouraged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunities given to them so that in return they will help their families to augment their financial needs.

Director Cruz also emphasized that the program empow-ers the disadvantaged youth through skills training and assistance that will enable them to practice trade and ven-ture into gainful occupation.

This anti-poverty convergence project of DSWD and TESDA will benefit 4,695 youth regionwide with total budg-et worth P93, 900,000.00. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD Regional Information Officer

DSWD, TESDA launch Cash-for-Training Project for youth

Page 5

The said activity was in coordination with the Cagayan Valley Medical Center team. The collected blood will be deposited at the CVMC blood bank and this will be used by CIU clients per endorsement and assessment by DSWD CIU Social Workers.

DSWD Field Office 02 was able to collect 37 bags of blood at 450cc per bag.

Because of the success of the bloodletting activity, the CIU headed by Ms. Imelda Decena, Social Worker II, planned to extend the DSWD’s blood drive to the Panta-wid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries who are will-ing to donate their blood to help other people in need. ###

By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD RIO

DSWD FO2 holds bloodletting—-from page 1

Director Cruz was overwhelmed and said that it is indeed a big challenge for her as the new director to keep and con-tinue leading the Region moving forward. “Without a second thought, I will accept the challenge of leading this region. With the change of leadership, I will continue what Director Garcia did and will introduce new strategies to further the goals of the Region in the long run. But of course, I cannot do it alone without the support and full cooperation of the Field Office staff,” Director Cruz said during her acceptance speech. Director Cruz added that with the support of the local gov-ernment units, partner agencies and civil society organiza-tions, DSWD Field Office 02 can surpass the challenges along the way that will confront the region. “With all our converged efforts and unselfish commitment to deliver social services with integrity, I believe that we can do it and excel even higher in the coming years to attain the DSWD’s vision, mission and goals,” Director Cruz added. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, RIO

DSWD installs new —from page 1

DSWD Field Office 02 Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz (center) with ARD Ponciana P. Condoy (from left to right) and TESDA Provincial Director Charito Santos award the certificates to the youth

beneficiaries of Cagayan. Photo by Angely M. Lubo, RIO

DSWD says No to Epal and Yes to Empowering Pantawid Beneficiaries

Page 6

No more threats. No more EPAL.

These are the main thrusts of Bawal Ang Epal Dito Cam-paign of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be launched from January to May 2013 to protect the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, from undue politicking and interventions that may affect the program’s integrity.

Bawal Ang Epal Dito confronts the issues of external pressures and eliminates the misconception of the bene-ficiaries about the control of politicians or parties over Pantawid Pamilya. More importantly, it seeks to empower the beneficiaries to know their rights and to be vigilant of individuals and/or groups who plan to use the program to push for their personal agenda.

With the upcoming 2013 elections, politicians are out to use the program to gain leverage. Through the Depart-ment’s Grievance Redress System, beneficiaries continu-ously gave feedback that politicians are allegedly claim-ing to have the authority to enlist and delist them from the program.

“Walang karapatan ang kahit sino na mag-alis ng pan-galan. Ang may karapatan lang ay ang DSWD Regional Office at National Office,” [No one has the right to delist a beneficiary. Only the DSWD Regional and National Office are authorized] DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said.

“DSWD lang ang may karapatang tanggalin ang benepis-yaryo sa Pantawid kung hindi siya susunod sa mga itina-kdang kondisyon,” [Only DSWD has the right to delist a beneficiary if s/he will not comply with the conditionalities] Sec. Soliman emphasized.

The campaign aims to empower the public, especially the beneficiaries, by increasing their knowledge about the pro-gram mechanics and the selection and removal of house-holds. Bawal Ang Epal Dito campaign aims to protect the households from baseless threats of removal from the pro-gram if they will not support political entities in the upcom-ing elections.

The Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the national government. It is also a social protection strate-gy that invests in the health and education of poor children age 0-14 years old. It is widely known as the Philippine conditional cash transfer program. As of January 9, 2013, the program has 3,843,502 household beneficiaries and operates in 1,605 cities and municipalities in 79 provinces in all 17 regions nationwide.

In region 02, the program has a total of 92, 628 households beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan with 30, 467; Isabela with 44, 030; Quirino with 6, 547 and Nueva Viz-caya with 11, 548 household beneficiaries respectively. ### (Social Marketing Unit)

The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Re-duction of the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment (DSWD) landed as one of the finalists in three catego-ries during the sixth FutureGov Awards ceremony at Chiang Mai, Thailand recently.

The three categories were: the Connected Government category that identifies the office’s excellence in intra–agency and inter-agency workflow; the Information Man-agement category that proves the National Household Tar-geting Office’s excellence in the capture, storage and distri-bution of citizen information and the Government Organiza-tion of the Year which honors excellence in public admin-istration at the central, state or local government level.

“I am so glad and proud that the National Household Tar-geting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of DSWD is being appreciated and recognized internationally. It only shows that we have excellent standards in identifying who really deserve to be included in the project’s data-base of poor households.” NHTS-PR Regional Field Supervisor Felipe Adarme said

“The Targeting System being a finalist in the three catego-ries is an inspiration for us to continue the culture of excel-

lence in giving public service. However, we should not rest on our laurels but it should even motivate us more to keep on improving so we can showcase more of our best practices”, Mr. Adarme added.

There were 92 finalists all over Asia who competed on the 19 categories. The Targeting System of DSWD was the only finalist from the Philippines.

“This is an indication that NHTS is fully recognized and also a way of boosting the morale of staff to work better, faster and smarter with a vision by identifying who and where the poor are nationwide. NHTS-PR staff shall exert more efforts to work some strategies that will invite the attention of partner agencies, stakeholders and public.” Ms. Delia Sto. Tomas, former Deputy Program Manager of NHTS-PR shared.

FutureGov Awards are the international benchmark by

which public sector innovation is judged – uniquely cele-

brating agency and project success, as well as the most

successful city modernisationprogrammes in the region.

(Source:www.futuregov.com). ### By Ailyn P. Aglaua,

Admin Assistant V, NHTS-PR.

DSWD Targeting System finalists in the FutureGov Awards

FO2 stages Convergence Caravan; Beneficiaries says Pantawid is effective!

“Only the DSWD regional and national office has the au-thority to delist beneficiaries from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program especially when they are not complying with the conditionalities,” emphasizes former Director

Arnel B. Garcia during the 2nd

Convergence Caravan held at University of Cagayan Valley Greyhounds Gym, Tuguegarao City, December 17, 2012.

Director Garcia stressed that no politician should make use of the program for their personal gain for the upcom-ing election because the Pantawid is a poverty alleviation project of DSWD. He reminded the beneficiaries should be more cautious and witty of politicians who claim that they have authority to remove beneficiaries.

Pantawid beneficiaries from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya gathered for the event wherein selected parent leaders gave their testimonies on the impact of the program in their lives.

The testimonies of the beneficiaries highlighted on the significant contributions of Pantawid in their family’s health and their children’s education. The parents also displayed their dancing and singing prowess for the Jingle Making Competition wherein the Quirino province was adjudged as the First Place respectively.

Also, pantawid children joined in the contested activities namely the Essay Writing and Poster Making Contest, both in elementary and high school category. The top four winners received cash prizes each.

Page 7

...continued on page 9

Seventeen modern -day heroes from DSWD Field Office 02 and Quirino Province fled to Davao Ori-ental and Compostela Valley which were highly devastated during the onset of Typhoon Pablo.

The team provides augmentation support in the distribution of relief goods and in facilitating of the family access cards. They also conduct camp management and stress debriefing to the victims.

The valiant contingent of Region 02 is composed of Mr. Franco Lopez, Matthias James Tangonan, Joselito Eslabon, Manuel Bautista, Vienalyn Rafal-lo, Pasencia Ancheta, Hazel Taccaban, Rommel Gamiao, Carmelita Buere, Vicenta Pamittan, Jo-ana Rose Bajaro, Shirley dela Cruz, Peter John Villamil, Angelica Ballad, and Rebecca Alluad, who are all employees of DSWD FO2; while the contingents from Quirino Province are Agaton Pagbilao Jr. and Chanterpere de Vera, respective-ly.

The team left the region on December 24, 2012, Christ-mas Eve and is expected to come back by January 7, 2012.

The mighty volunteers gave up the cheers of celebrating Holi-

days with their families and friends to give help to the needy.

This just proves us that amid the disasters and calamities,

there are heroes who walk among us, ready to help, ready to

serve. ### SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT

Region 2 Sends Volunteers to Pablo-Devastated Areas

Page 8

There were also presentations of

Provincial Profile and Regional

Magnitude of the poor which showed

the current status of Region 02. Pro-

tocols, process of data sharing and

comparison of NHTS-PR of DSWD

and Community Based Monitoring

System (CBMS) of DILG were also

discussed.

According to Mr. Felipe P. Adarme,

Regional Field Supervisor of NHTS-

PR the activity was conducted to

motivate the Local Government

Units to use the NHTS-PR data.

“We are positive that after this training the number of MOAs will increase

so that we could submit it to NHTO for processing and for those who sub-

mitted they will be given the list of poor households.” Mr. Adarme added.

After the said training one of the participants shared her insights about

NHTS-PR.

“On behalf of our group I am really thankful to DSWD Field Office 02 for

giving us the chance to attend training like this. I realized that the objective

of NHTS-PR is really beautiful and useful. Before I have a lot of questions

regarding NHTS-PR but now I am proud to tell that I have the answers to

my questions and I can definitely share it to my municipality” Ms. Marivic

P. Leano, MSDO said. ### By Ailyn P. Aglaua Administrative Assistant V

NHTS-PR conducts Training on Data Sharing for MSWDOs

One of the projects of the Depart-

ment of Social Welfare and Devel-

opment Field Office 02 which is

the National Household Targeting

System for Poverty Reduction

(NHTS-PR) conducts training on

data sharing for Municipal Social

Welfare Development Officers of

Region II recently at Kimikarlai

Hotel, Tuguegarao City.

The NHTS-PR is a special project

of DSWD that identifies who and

where the poor are. It also aims to

establish a socio-economic data

base of household that will be

used in identifying the beneficiaries of national social protection

programs. DSWD anticipate that this project would decrease the

poverty incidence here in the Region.

The training was conducted for the MSWDOs for them to have an in-

depth knowledge on NHTS-PR and also to motivate them to tie up

with DSWD in signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The

participants were the MSWDOs of Quirino, Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya

and Isabela.

The 2-day training tackled about the NHTS-PR tools in using for the

data gathering for the selection of the poorest among the poor house-

holds.

The contingent team pose with former Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia before they left Region 02.

Participants attentively listening to the Resource Person during the training. Photo by Ailyn Aglaua, AA V

Four student-produced films which showcased the impacts of

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program highlighted the Short Film

Making Contest of the Department of Social Welfare and Devel-

opment Field Office o2 recently.

The awards night was held last December 14, 2012 at Casa Ange-

la, Tuguegarao City wherein the entry of Cagayan State Universi-

ty (CSU) entitled “Vuga-Vuga” (Itawes for bubbles) was ad-

judged as the Best Film.

The Vuga-Vuga also brought home other major and minor awards

namely Best in Screenplay, Best in Editing, Best in Musical Scor-

ing, Best Director and the highly-coveted People’s Choice

Award.

University of Saint Louis (USL) with their short film 4Ps: Pami-

lyang Puno ng Pag-asa at Pagmamahal was the 1st runner up and

got the Best Actor Award.

The Best Actress Award went to the Isabela State University

(ISU) Echague Campus with their entry entitled “Dabbac”, which

was also the 2nd runner up respectively.

Moreover, the film “Tuloy ang Pangarap” of Uni-

versity of Perpetual Help System (UPHS) was

hailed as the 3rd runner up.

Prof. Ana Marie Cauilan of CSU appreciated the

efforts of the Field Office for coming up with this

kind of advocacy because the creativity of the stu-

dents are tested and honed. “There should be more

contests on the programs of the government so that

there will be a more creative way of informing the

public about these projects. Also, the impacts of

these programs will be showcased to convey that

they are indeed effective in uplifting the lives of the

poor sectors,” she said.

Also, Director Arnel B. Garcia of FO2 said that it is important

for the students to know what the government is doing for the

marginalized sectors of the society.

Meanwhile, the entries were judged by Director Purita Licas of

the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) RO2 and the Press

Relations Officer of Cagayan Valley Association of Career Ex-

ecutives (CV-ACE); Mr. Rodel Ordillos, the Manager of RBC

Cable TV and the President of the Cagayan Valley Association

of Media Practitioners; and Ms. Imogen Claire Callangan, the

author of the coffee table book “The Metamorphosis of

Tuguegarao City.”

The Short Film Making Contest was one of the advocacy pro-

jects of the Social Marketing Unit of DSWD FO2 which aims to

provide a more creative and effective way to advocate the agen-

cy’s programs especially the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Pro-

gram. ### By MARICEL ASEJO, Pantawid Information Of-

ficer

FO2 upholds first ever Short Film Making Contest on Pantawid Pamilya

Page 9

Universities in the region showcased their talents in film making which bring out positive human stories on Pantawid Pamilya in the local community.

With the theme “Edukasyon at Kalusugan ng mga kabataan, pinahahalagahan ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipi-no Program,” James Acob, a Grade VI student wrote in his essay that as a child, “Nabigyan na tayo ng pagkakataon upang abutin an gating simpleng pangarap na magkaroon ng magandang edukasyon at kalusugan. Ang Pantawid ay nagbibigay ng matinding pundasyon para makaahon sa kahirapan.”

The four provinces and the different agencies also exhibited their services and products in their booths.

Moreover, the Army Band Troop of the 5th Infantry Division

Combo of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also spiced up the event with their live rendition of hit songs.

The children also enjoyed dancing the phenomenal “Oppa Gangnam Style” with Grimace and Birdie of McDonalds.

The convergence caravan was participated by the DSWD’s partners from different sectors—Local Govern-ment Units, Media, Academe, Civil Society Organizations, and Regional Government Agencies especially members of Regional Convergence Committee on Poverty Reduc-tion and CV-ACE or the Cagayan Valley Association of Career Executives.

The caravan was held annually to forge a stronger part-nership with the different sectors in helping uplift the lives of the poor. It was also an avenue for the beneficiaries to speak out about the impacts of the program.

Presently, the region has 81,736 households who are en-rolled in the program, and the number will more likely to increase because of the expansion of areas under Set 6. Isabela still holds the largest beneficiaries with a total of 35, 639; Cagayan with 29, 215; Nueva Vizcaya with 10, 335; and Quirino with 6, 547 respectively. ### By MARI-CEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer

FO2 stages Convergence—-from page 7

In line with the Department of Budget and Manage-ment’s memorandum circular to integrate citizen’s partic-ipation in the budget process as means of enhancing transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of public funds, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 02 conducted a regional consultation with Civil Society Organizations on the preparation of 2014 budget held at Crowne Pavilion, Tuguegarao City on February 26, 2013. This was attended by Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. (PCCI) Cagayan Chapter, Pangkaunlaran, CAVAPED, Green Meadow Development Foundation,

Alalay sa Kaunlaran (ASKI) Inc., Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), Federation of Senior Citizen’s Association of the Philip-pines, CLAIM, Regional Women with Disa-bilities, Providence Rural Band, academe, media and partner agencies from National Economic Development Authority and De-partment of Budget and Management. DSWD Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz encouraged the CSOs to actively participate in the regional budget consultation for their inputs play a significant role in the finaliza-tion of DSWD budget preparation. Director Cruz also emphasized that the de-partment has been consulting civil society organizations to strengthen and promote the principles of good governance by involving them in budget preparation for the different programs implemented by DSWD. Meanwhile, Ms. Rowena Arugay, DSWD

Field Office 02 Budget Officer has presented a total budget of P1,782, 461,571.00 for Calendar Year 2014 including the locally funded projects and funds for Centers and Institutions. The participants of said consultation gave their inputs, com-ments and recommendations on the proposed budget partic-ularly on programs that are related to their respective sectors. The department likewise thanked the participants for their inputs and further recommendations and these will be consid-ered in the finalization of budget preparation of DSWD Field Office 02 for CY 2014. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, DSWD RIO

DSWD FO 02 consults CSOs on 2014 budget preparation

Page 10

DSWD lays rules on solicitation

Department of Social Welfare and Development Field

Office 02 has warned organizations and individuals so-

liciting without permit from the department or from local

government units.

Ms. Marilyn Taguinod, Head of the Standards Unit said

during the Tipon Tipan sa PIA that only those with per-

mit from DSWD or LGU are allowed to conduct fund

raising in any point of the region.

Ms. Taguinod specified that any organization or individu-

al who plans to conduct a fund-raising activity in any

form with proceeds below P40,000.00, application for

permit can be lodged at the LGU to where they plan to

conduct the activity, while above P40,000.00 target pro-

ceeds, application must be submitted to DSWD Field

Office.

Regional Director Violeta A. Cruz encourages Civil Society Organizations to share

their inputs and recommendations for the finalization of DSWD 2014 budget

preparation while a representative of a Women’s Organization shares her comments

on the proposed budget on a specific program of DSWD which is related to her

sector.

...continued on page 11

Ms. Marilyn Taguinod, Head of the Standards Unit

elaborates the processes on how to acquire

solicitation permit during the Tipon-Tipan sa PIA.

The Field Office 02 continues with its effort to complete and validate target beneficiaries for the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer.

Known as MCCT, it is a modified approach to cater to fami-lies in need of special protection who are not captured into the regular Conditional Cash Transfer popularly known as

the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Families in need of special protection (FNSP) includes street children and families in pockets of poverty not cov-ered by the Pantawid Pamilya; Indigenous People (IP) Migrant Families; Families with Children with Disabilities, Families of Child Laborers, Displaced Families due to manmade and natural disasters and other FNSP whose children were abused, abandoned and exploited and are not in school.

The MCCT is being implemented by the DSWD together with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who have the ca-pacity and have existing programs for FNSP.

Presently, there are a total of 134 household beneficiaries for the DSWD-Run MCCT; and 1, 268 household benefi-ciaries for the CSO-Run MCCT. Two CSOs are currently engaged in the implementation of MCCT namely the Green Meadow Development Foundation Incorporated (GMDFI) with 800 households; and the Pangkaunlaran Development Association Incorporated (PDAI) with 468 household beneficiaries respectively.

According to Ms. Sharlyn Altavano, the MCCT Coordina-tor, both the DSWD and the two CSOs are still on the pro-cess of completing their target beneficiaries totaling to 200 households for DSWD-run and 1, 000 households for CSO-run.

Meanwhile, the conditions of the MCCT is similar with the regular CCT like the attendance to Family Development Sessions, attendance to Alternative Mode of Learning for education and visit to health centers for health. One condi-tion added is that beneficiaries should have a permanent residence after 6 months of social preparation.

Eventually, MCCT aims to mainstream the beneficiaries in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. ###By MARI-CEL B. ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer II

FO2 DOUBLES EFFORT TO COMPLETE BENEFICIARIES FOR MCCT

Page 11

“We scrutinize the application to assess how the fund rais-

ing be conducted and where the proceeds will be spent.

Proceeds must be spent for social service activities or indi-

vidual who really need financial help such as medical oper-

ations,” Ms. Taguinod said.

She further explained that in the application, the specific

beneficiaries should be implied and the project should be

specifically described.

Ms. Taguinod also said that after the fund raising activity,

they also monitor if the projects specified in their application

were really established or conducted.

“Anybody caught violating the law will be fined or sued in court. They will also be blacklisted in out list so that they could no longer conduct any fund-raising activity,” Ms. Taguinod stated. Moreover, Ms. Taguinod also encouraged the public to help monitor solicitations. “Any fund raising without permit control number from DSWD or from the LGU are illegal and must be reported to DSWD Field Office 02 for appropriate action,” she add-ed. By Oliver T. Baccay, PIA Information Officer

DSWD lays rules—-from page 10

Indigenous People Migrant Families is one of the families in need of special protection which is being catered by the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer.

Page 12

IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SERVICE: FO 02 contingent gave up the cheers of celebrating Holidays with their families and friends to give help to the needy. This just proves that amid the disasters and calamities, there are heroes who walk among us, ready to help, ready to serve!

Keeping up with the younger ones. Senior staff of the Field Office and Director Boleng herself gave the young employess a run for their money. Photo by Ailyn P. Aglaua

T A L E N T E D

B E N E F I C I A R I E S : C h i l d r e n beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya showcase their art prowess during the Pos t e r M a k i ng Contest as one of the highlights of the C o n v e r g e n c e Caravan.

THANKFUL BENEFICIARIES: IP beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya wait for their turn to receive clothes which were distributed by the Informer's Club, an association of media practitioners in the region, during the Media Tour cum medical mission with the help of BJMP, DOH, PIA, BFP.

BRAINSTROMING: Students from the different universities and colleges draft their research proposals during the Orientation on the Conduct of Research on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

DSWD FO2 FAMILY: Director Ponciana P. Condoy and other staff pose after the retirement program in honor of Mam Catalina Datul.

PHOTO GALLERY

GANGNAM FEVER! The FO2 staff together with Director Boleng groove to the Gangnam Style music to sweat off those extra pounds. Photo by Maricel Asejo

Page 13

HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS: DSWD provides core shelter units which are structurally-strong and environment-friendly shelter units that can withstand 180 to 220 kilometer per hour wind. It is a rehabilitation and mitigation strategy that

IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SERVICE: FO 02 contingent gave up the cheers of celebrating Holidays with their families and friends to give help to the needy. This just proves that amid the disasters and calamities, there are heroes who walk among us, ready to help, ready to serve!

The well painted CSAP of Maddela, Quirino. Photo by Angely Lubo

The beautifully landscaped CSAP site of Brgy. San Placido, Rixas, Isabela. Photo by Angely Lubo

A spectacular view of CSAP site in a hilly barangay of Mozzozin, Sta. Maria, Isabela. Photo by Angely Lubo

Isabela State University students want to conduct a study on the impacts of Family Development Sessions (FDS), one of the conditions of the Pantawid Program.

DSWD FO2 FAMILY: Director Ponciana P. Condoy and other staff pose after the retirement program in honor of Mam Catalina Datul.

PHOTO GALLERY

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: A/Sec. Javier R. Jimenez shares his inputs to the staff of the Cagayan Valley Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth during his visits to DSWD Field Office 02 centers. Photo by Ailyn Aglaua

COMPLIANT: Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pailya in Brgy. Casambalangan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan during the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) onsite monitoring and evaluation visit in the municipality. Photo by Maricel Asejo

Page 14

LITERARY WORKS OF DSWD FIELD OFFICE 02 RESIDENTS OF CV-RRCY, RSCC AND HAVEN

PAMILYA By: Ruben G. Ramos, CV-RRCY resident

Sa tuwing kami’y magkakasamang masaya,

Di maipaliwanag ang nadarama,

Nang puso’t isipan ko pagkasama ko sila,

Tila ba ang mundo ko’y walang kasing saya

Ganyan talaga ang nadarama,

Pag buo ang pamilya

Ang sarap mabuhay pagkasama ang pamilya,

Tunay na ligaya ang nadarama,

Lagi mo silang kapiling sa hirap man o ginhawa,

Ganyan talaga pag buo ang pamilya

Ang sarap mabuhay pag kasama ko sila,

Di ko na iniinda ang pagsubok at problema,

Di ako pinabayaan, lagi silang nandiyan,

Kailanman di ako pinabayaan,

Pagmamahal at pagbibigayan di nawawala,

Kailan man sila sa akin ay hindi nagpabaya.

NAKARAAN

By: Kyleena, a resident of Haven for Women

Kailangan mo sila,

Pero nasaan sila?

Mahal ka nila,

Ang tanong, mahal ka ba nila?

Kaya nilang magpakasaya sa piling ng iba

Pero di nila naisip kung masaya ka ba,

Kaya mo silang mawala,

Pero ikaw, di mo sila kayang ibalewala

Ika’y isinilang, upang pabayaan

Sa iyong nararamdaman, wala silang paki-alam,

Di kayang iparamdam, tunay na pagmamahal

Pagnanais ng puso’t isipan,

Di kayang pahalagahan,

Hangga’t nabubuhay, sila’y mamahalin,

Pasasalamat sa bugay na ibinigay, aking tatanawin

Ang nakaraan na di makakalimutan,

Na sa iyong katauha’y nakahimlay,

Na nagsilbing aral sa iyong buhay kailan man

At sa bawat oras at minutong iyong pinahahalagahan

Bawat nakaraan, sakit ang dala,

Bawat araw ay bagong pag-asa,

Salamat sa nakaraan,

Dahil dulot nito’y matatag na paninindigan

YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE

By: Jing jing, a resident of Haven for Women

Who can turn to

When nobody needs me

My hearts want to know

And so I must go

Where destiny leads me

With no star to guide me

And no one beside me

No one cares for me

No one is there for me

But you, only you

You turn me inside out

And showed me what life was all about

You’re on my side when no one seems to listen

And if you go, tears will flow

You were there when I was down

Or just needed someone around

You’re the only one I’m depending on

You are the only one

PANGINOONG LUMIKHA By: Ruben G. Ramos, CV-RRCY resident

Sa pagsikat ng araw at pagmulat ng mga mata Ganda ng tanawin ay iyong madarama,

Tanaw mo na ang kapaligirang kamangha-mangha, Na di mo lubos maisip kung sinong may gawa,

Di maipaliwanag ng iyong isipan, Ang kagandahang taglay ng kalikasan.

Kaya dapat kang magalak at magpasalamat,

Sa biyayang kay ganda at wagas, Na dapat mong ingatan at ariing kayamanan, Dalhin mo sa iyong puso ang kaluwalhatian,

Magpuri at magpasalamat sa Diyos na pinagmulan,

Ng yaman, buhay at kapalaran, Siya ang dakilang lumikha ng mundong ibabaw.

Sa iyong buhay dadaloy ang kasaganahan,

Pag sa kanya ka humingi ay walang hanggan, Siya ang pinagmulan ng lahat ng bagay,

Siya ang nag-iisang Diyos na tunay,

Sa kabiguan, siya ang tawagan mo, At malalagay sa kapayapaan ang buhay mo,

Ang nais mong buhay ay mapapasaiyo Pag nasa Panginoong lumikha ang buhay mo.

PANGINOONG DIYOS By: Ruben G. Ramos, resident of CV-RRCY

Nang ako’y nasa gulo, tumawag ako sayo, Di mo ako pinabayaan at ako’y nalayo,

Di mo ako iniwan hanggang sa huli, Kahit ako’y makasalanan at maraming mali,

Tinulungan mo ako sa lahat ng pagkakataon, Maraming salamat mahal na Panginoon.

Wag mo sanang pabayaan kaming mga anak Mo, Ingatan Mo kami sa lahat ng dako,

Patawarin mo nawa ang aming mga kasalanan, Ituwid mo sa mali ang mga kabataan,

Dahil ang pag-ibig Mo sa amin ay tunay,

Ikaw ang pag-asa sa aming buhay.

Dalisay na aral sayo lang nagmula, Di mo pinababayaan ang mapagkumbaba,

Matuwid kang humatol sa madla,

Sambhin Ka nawa ng iyong mga nilikha, Ikaw ang Diyos na buhay na dakila.

Bigyan mo ng katatagan ang aming loob, Upang malampasan ang mga pag-subok,

Tulungan mong tumibay ang mga pusong marupok,

Sa mga masasamang gawi’y kami ilayo,

Wag mo kaming hayaang mabigo, Umaasa kami sa iyong mga pangako,

Igapos mo kami sa iyong pag-asa’t pagmamahal, Ikaw lang ang aming Panginoong Diyos

na banal.

Page 15

LITERARY WORKS OF DSWD FIELD OFFICE 02 RESIDENTS OF CV-RRCY, RSCC AND HAVEN

“PAG-ASA” By: Ruben G. Ramos, resident of CV-RRCY

Noong ako’y nasa laya pa,

Kasama ko ang aking pamilya, Masayang magkasama, lambingan ay walang sawa,

Ngunit, ngayo’y ako’y nawalay, Sa kanila ay nalayo, dala ng pagkabigo.

Ngayon nagsisikap makapagsimula, Ng bagong buhay sa aking paglaya,

Dala ang ngiti sa mukha, Na muling ipinagkaloob ng Poong lumikha,

Ang pag-asang muling sumikat sa aking puso, Na walang katumbas sa ginto, O anumang yaman sa mundo.

Ang kalayaan sa buhay ko’y muling madama,

Gali’t at poot sa puso’y nawala, Sa kabila ng kalunos-lunos na pagsubok,

Ako’y nagpakatatag at di sumuko, Dala parin ang determinasyon na tunay, Na makakamit ang tagumpay sa buhay.

WAG MAWALAN NG PAGASA

By: Rhoda, a resident of Haven for Women

Sa buhay ng tao ay talagang dumadating

ang pagsubok

Pagsubok na naging dahilan ng pagiging

marupok ng iyong puso’t isipan

Ngunit wag kang mabahala ang pagsubok na

iyan ay may kalutasan

Sapagkat ang Poong Maykapal ay hindi ka

pababayaan

Patuloy ka lamang manalig sa Kanya at wag

kang mawalan ng pag asa.

At pag natapos na ang lahat ng pagdurusa na

idinulot ng pagsubok na iyong kinaharap

At naging dahilan ng pag pagkabagabag ng

iyong

puso’t isipan,

Masasabi mo sa sarili mo … “Nagawa ko!”

Masasabi mong… “Matatag ako!”

Kaya’t wag kang mabahala,

Tanggalin ang pagkabagabag

Pagsubok ay lagpasan ng matatag at walang

pag-alinlangan,

Dahil ang Diyos ay lagging andiyan.

PAGSUBOK

By: NIKO, a resident of CV-RRCY

Sa ating pagiging pasaway;

Napunta tuloy tayo sa CV-RRCY

Dahil sa katigasan ng ulo;

Kaya tayo nandito

Bunga ng ating mga kasalanan;

Na ating nagagawa at pinagdadaanan

Nakakaranas tayo ng hinagpis;

Na kinakailangan tuloy tayong magtiis

Ang kailangan lang nating gawin;

Ay maniwala at pananalig nati’y palakasin

Ang ating paniniwala sa Diyos;

Upang buhay natin ay maiayos

Magkaroon tayo ng mabuting asal;

At dapat parati tayong magdasal

Magpasalamat sa Diyos at humingi ng basbas;

Upang mapadali ang ating paglabas.

Page 16

Dear Ma’am Lina,

Thank you are words not enough to express our deepest ap-

preciation for all the wonderful years you had struggled

and fought with us. You will leave us on a battle field

where we will continue our war against abuses and the pro-

verbial ills of poverty. You will leave a battalion of strong

and abled men and women who are all equally reared with

your love, wits and charm. A general whose compulsory re-

tirement will officially embark today will be missed by com-

rades who had considered you as a mother and friend at

the same time.

You are likened to a soldier, who capitalized your strength

from your Maker and Divine Protector. You are blessed with

family who had patiently waited for you to come home even

at the wee hours of the night or unexpected time of the day.

You had courageously threaded the bad weathers, leaving

behind your family in times of disasters to rally with us in

serving the victims and marginalized sectors of our society.

Your sharp mind sharpens our brains and your broad

shoulders carried us when we are all in distress. Your hercu-

lean body flattened all boulders of anxiety and insignifi-

cant worries. Your presence always put everyone in order,

with deafening silence so people will listen to your words of

wisdom.

Even at times that your frail body lost physical strength, you

keep standing tough and tall. You are always there to lis-

ten, to care and to share even more than what is required

from you. You are an echo, a clanging cymbal who always

wakes up others to move forward and obey orders. An epito-

me of a good and responsible public servant, your passion,

dedication and commitment to do your job keeps us amaze

on how you manage to put your make up without having a

mirror in front.

Tribute to the 40 years dignified public service of Mam Catalina Datul[

Thank you for serving as our source of strength, joy

and inspiration. Thank you for your partnership as we

together work for the cause of the poor, marginalized

and disadvantaged sector of our society. Your sense of

humor and sometimes rumor, kept us at pace with our

work, leaving no trace of stress and dullness. Your wit

and charm as a supervisor and partner in government

service made us more competitive and effective.

Above all, your being with us for almost 40 years dig-

nified our being part of DSWD believing that :

> public service is a public trust

> there are still honest and faithful government

workers who are incorruptible and highly rep-

utable

> social service is not just a work, a source of

bread and butter but a mission worth living.

We love you Ma’am Lina. May the good Lord bless

you more with blissful years to share and care, and

cherish life ahead with your loving husband, chil-

dren and grandchildren. Till we meet again.

Bon voyage to your next journey!

Love,

DSWD FO2 Family

THE TOAST OF THE EVENING: (from left to right) ARDA Delia S. Sto. Tomas, ARD Ponciana P. Condoy and IDD Chief Lucia S. Alan join Division Chief Catalina Datul, the retiree, in a wine toasting as an expression of honor and goodwill.

PROFILE: Ms. Catalina P. Datul rose from rank and file. She started her career in DSWD as a Relief Grantee in 1970’s. From Relief Grantee to Social Welfare Assistant. Because of her dedication and exemplified performance at work, she was promoted as Social Welfare Assistant II then became SWO III years later. She retired as Chief of the Institutional Development Division effective February 13, 2013. She spent 40 dignified and fruitful years serving the department.

Page 17

Congratulations to all of us who comprises the DSWD family for we have reached this far and still counting for the years to celebrate with feat and victory. Salamat po at Mabuhay tayong lahat!. ###

Just work and work and be at peace with anyone...

First of all, let me thank the LORD for all the countless blessings, unconditional love, for all of his guidance and enlightenment throughout the years, for the stable job in the department because this is the very source of my bread and butter for 35 years. I want also to express my gratitude to all the past, previ-ous and present directors, to all my director and immedi-ate supervisors and to the men and women of the depart-ment whom I had been working and still working with, because they were and are still there to have shared and thought me, moulded me, mentored me, capacitated and empowered me, which until now, the knowledge I gained and skills I acquired and wisdom I earned are my weap-on to perform my duties and functions for efficient and effective delivery of the programs and services of this agency. Thank you also to all my colleagues, my fellow workers, friends and my co-awardees who were always there to share their joys and laughter, provided moral support, loved and cared and still doing the same for me during my times of crisis. My 35 years of stint in this agency is fruitful for I had been assigned to almost all of the units under the management division. From Accounting Clerk to Human Resource Man-agement Unit, to Budget Unit and now as the present Head of the General Services Unit. Indeed, everywhere I a as-signed to, I always see to it that I put my heart into my work. I have to learn and become to love my work, and when you love your work, definitely you enjoy your work and be adapta-ble and flexible to any environment or situation. I also learn that you must also be concern with your subordinates, have a constant coordination with other units and full cooperation with the management because you can‘t do everything alone. I also had encountered some turmoil, difficulties and hard-ships during those 35 years. However these are just but spices of life challenges and trials to improve myself and be-come a better person and more committed employee. I have embraced this all but just as I have said, there are friends who are always there to pat my shoulders to strengthen me more. And may I take this opportunity to ask forgiveness to any one whom I have injured/hurt their feelings/ego if any and just the same to all those fellow workers who have done me wrong in one way or another, don’t worry everything is forgiven and forgotten. Indeed, I just want to share to everybody the secret of staying productive and longer in any organization…just work and work and be at peace with anyone…as it goes with the theme of this years’ celebration “Sama-samang husay tungo sa tagumpay.”

PROFILE: Name: VERENA ABANA BUDUAN Date of birth: September 2, 1954 Address: #60 Caimito St., Tanza, Tuguegarao City Married to: JULIAN FILOMENA BUDUAN Name of children: JULVER LAURENCE A. BUDUAN JOVEN A. BUDUAN JENNIVIE A. BUDUAN

JAYSON VAL A. BUDUAN Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration School: Saint Paul University, Tuguegarao City Post Grad: Master in Business Administration School: Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Tuguegarao City Year when she entered DSWD: AUGUST 23, 1977 as Accounting Clerk Present position: Administrative Officer V Years in gov’t service: 35 years

Above photo: Ms. Verena A. Buduan. 35 years of stint service in the department encourages DSWD staff to love their work and be at peace with anyone. Below photo: A happy family picture of Ms. Verena BUduan.

As part of the celebration of the 15th Adoption Conscious-

ness Week, the Department of Social Welfare and Devel-opment Field Office II conducted an Adoption Forum at Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City, on February 28, 2012. Bannering the theme “Loving Beyond Differences”, the Forum was attended by couples who have adopted chil-dren from the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) or referred to as the adoptive parents, and with couples who are planning to adopt or the potential adop-tive parents. The Social Welfare Officers from the SWAD of Cagayan, Isabela, Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya were also present during the activity. Loving Beyond Differences The Adoption Forum changed the misconception that adopting does not allow potential adoptive parents to choose who among the children will they adopt, as often portrayed in films. Ms. Rosario Corpuz, the Focal Person for Adoption Resource and Referral Section emphasized that “adopting a child is not like shopping, wherein cou-ples will choose who they will adopt.” She said, “That’s why we do not allow our potential adoptive parents to see the children in RSCC, instead we do matching, wherein we do thorough deliberation to decide who among our declared legally available for adoption children will suit them. But we ask for their preferences. Ang pag-aampon, ay parang pagbubuntis, na kung saan hindi naman natin mapipili kung ano ang itsura ng lalabas na sanggol.” Discouraging Simulation Meanwhile, Atty. John Amador L. Malana, who discussed about the Process Flow of the Legal Aspect of Domestic Adoption, said that couples who have simulated the adoption of the child are criminally liable. Adoption is the legal process by which a child becomes the legitimate child of the adopting person/s. Simulation of birth on the other hand occurs when a childless couple, for example, comes into possession of a baby or child, given to them by a midwife, an unwed mother or a relative, and this couple then applies for a birth certificate, making it ap-pear that the baby or child is their biological offspring. Atty. Malana emphasized that it is very important that adoptive parents will be given an Adoption Decree by the court, which legalizes their custody over the child. “Pag ang adoptive couple ay nabigyan na ng Adoption Decree, yun na rin ang magiging proteksiyon nila. Kahit mismong biological parent o birth parent ay wala ng habol sa bata,” Atty. Malana added. He also discussed other salient topics regarding adoption like the process of adoption and its requirements. Adoption- a blessing Three adoptive couples shared their testimonies regard-ing adoption and the change it brought to their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Balbuena of Baggao, Cagayan, who

became parent to Tyron, a child from the RSCC, said that since Tyron came to their lives, everything changed, for the better. “Nung una ang daming problema, kasi may mga tao na hindi pa rin open sa pag-aampon, but still we said to our-selves that Tyron is for us. Lahat ng pagsubok ay kinaya naming, lalo at napakasakitin ni Tyron noon. But thanks to God because he grew to a healthy and smart boy,” said the happy couple referring to their cute baby boy. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Ireneo Nuñez of Ilagan, Isabela said that having Josther, also a child from RSCC, made their relation-ship stronger. According to Mr. Ireneo Nuñez, he became a more responsible husband since he became father to Jos-ther. “Dati kasi pag Friday gumigimik ako, pero nung nandi-yan na si Josther, medyo nabawasan na. Umuuwi na rin ako kaagad after work. My wife and I are very happy because we now have what we can call a family,” said Mr. Ireneo. The event seeks to highlight the various issues on adoption and create public awareness and support for the legal adop-tion process. This year’s theme focuses on the unconditional love of adoptive parents for their adopted children. ### By MARICEL ASEJO, Pantawid Information Officer

Page 18

Discouraging simulation, YES to Adoption!

A love worth declaring! Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Balbuena, proud adoptive parents with their son “Tyrone”. Photo by Maricel Asejo, Pantawid IO

I’ve heard it said a number of times that “All elec-tions are local.” Whoever first expressed this observation hit the nail right on the head. It means that even in national elections when we have to vote for a president, vice-president and senators, it is the people, even those residing in the farthest boondocks, who go to the polling places to cast their votes. It is same electorate who vote for candidates for local positions like the mayor, vice-mayor, councilors and barangay officials. So, yes, all elections, even national elections, are local! To this I add, all government programs and pro-jects are local. Whether these initiatives emanate from the national government or not, they are still going to be implemented for the people. And even if in rare cases when these programs and projects are not directly implemented for and by the people, they inevitably become the benefi-ciaries. The NHTS-PR is one fine example of government initiatives that is both national and local. It was conceptualized and implement-ed by the national government in partnership with local gov-ernments and a few national government agencies like Phil-Health. Of course World Bank should not be forgotten as an invaluable partner. You probably know by now that the NHTS-PR was undertaken as a means to efficiently and effectively address the perennial problem of all administrations, past and present, national and local, of poverty, abject poverty. In short, it is a project that has become a sound instrument for the accu-rate and focused identification of beneficiaries of social protec-tion programs of the national government and local govern-ments and even the private sector. Given this perspective of partnership and cooperation, what can

be done to improve the implementation of the project, specially in the coming household assessment in 2013? Will local govern-ments play a more active role or will they stay as a passive partner whose help is solicited only when needed? Will they be only watch-ing from the sidelines as we in the NHTS-PR do our thing in their homecourt? Others may be tempted to say "Oh but they were in-volved in all the activities of the NHTS-PR from Day 1 to the pre-sent!" Yes, but it their involvement enough? Can't the working rela-tionship be improved? With the wealth of experience gathered in implementing the project, from 2009 to the present, that can serve as valuable inputs, there are a lot to improve on in terms of provision of resources – human, financial and logistical – and in the processes, from recruitment, selection and hiring ofstaff, to the conduct of the household assess-

ment, encoding, transmittal of e-results, running of the Proxy Means Test (PMT) and others like the conduct of the On-Demand Application (ODA) and validation. On recruitment and selection of enumerators, local governments should be given free rein in identifying and selecting these frontline workers. The usual, knee-jerk reaction to the idea would be “Oh, only those who have connection to the mayor or the SWDO will be chosen!” Okay. I’ll grant there might be some truth to this. But if you were the mayor, who will choose except those you are comfortable working with?! Right? Be-sides, there are measures which can be adopted to ensure that recruitment will done in accordance with standards. As partner, we can ask the mayor to adhere to the highest standards of selection. With the freedom of choice given to the mayor, we can also at the same time make him responsible for any below-par perfor-mance of the enumerators he or she has chosen. Part of agreements which will have to be formalized thru the execution of memorandum of agreement between the DSWD and local governments is the enumerators who did not fill up the forms completely and accurately will be required to go back to the field to rectify their mis-takes. With the power and influence of the mayor, or-dering these workers would be easy.

Page 19

The Local Governments: Passive Bystanders or Active Partners in the National Household

...continued on page 21

Thumbs up to NHTS-PR! This family is grateful that NHTS-PR team reached their mountainous barangay in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya in the year 2009. Because of the household assessment in 2009, this family is now one of the recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Photo by Angely M. Lubo, DSWD RIO

Page 20

The Dingcog family is one of the Indigenous Peoples thrive in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya. The family belongs to a Kalanguya group and has been a Pantawid Program bene-ficiary since 2010 under Set 3A. Aling Jonista and Mang Merson derive their income from farming and cultivating their vegetable and flower farm. The couple only gains 5 thousand pesos in every 3 months or every cropping which cannot sustain the needs of their children in school and other daily needs. With the 500 pesos cash grant for health and nutrition and the 300 pesos educational grant, the family is grateful for having been included in the program. Before the program came to their lives, Aling Jonista and Mang Merson think that their other children might stop studying for the meantime to give way for their other chil-dren to finish college. But because of this poverty reduc-tion program of the national government, the family can now see that their lives are better than before. Aling Jonista said that the education for her children has be-come possible and the provision of health and nutrition reaches them. Indeed, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Pro-gram is a heaven-sent blessing added Aling Jonista. Blessing comes great responsibility Aling Jonista is a mother of 6 children who are all enrolled in school. But because of the Pantawid program, her role as a plain housewife has now expanded. She has now a very different role in her own family and in their communi-ty.

From a full-time mother, she became an active parent leader for 25 fellow parent beneficiaries in their baran-gay. Firm leader As a leader, Aling Jonista makes sure that all of the ben-eficiaries under her cluster are present during community activities especially in attending Family Development Sessions (FDS). Knowing all the conditionalities set by the program, Aling Jonista conveys assurance that she and her co-beneficiaries will remain active, responsible grantee and model beneficiary among others. “Agyam-yaman nak ta naisali nak ti kastoy nga program ti gobyerno, ken habang adda makatulong kanya mi, ipateg mi daytoy ta manmanu laeng ti kastoy ket saan nga amin nga tao ket maikkan ti tiynsa na nga makasali iti Pantawid” (I am so much thankful that we are a recipi-ent of this government program, and while we have this kind of benefit, we will treasure this, because not every-one has given this opportunity to become a Pantawid beneficiary.), says Aling Jonista as she shares her story.

Mr. Cris Aman, Municipal Link of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya affirmed to the commitment showed by Aling Jonista in motivating her members. Mr. Aman added that Aling Jonista as a leader always initiate other members to reli-giously comply with the program conditionalities even if those beneficiaries are no longer under her cluster. Building capability “Because of Pantawid Pamilya, I came out in my shell. I experienced for the first time interacting with different peo-ple, different cultures and brilliant trainers,” Aling Jonista shared during the interview. Aling Jonista is referring to her participation to the Region-al Parent Leaders Forum held in Manila Grand Opera Ho-tel, Manila last June 24-26, 2011. She also joined other Parent Leaders in the country during the National Parent Leaders Forum held in Bayview Park Hotel, Manila on July 2-4, 2011. “Because of these trainings I had attended, I was able to compose myself when dealing with other people. I also came to know my strengths and gained more understand-ing on my roles and functions as Parent Leader,” shared Aling Jonista. Aling Jonista also added that because of her exposure to various activities related to the implementation of the pro-gram, she had developed her communication skills. This developed skill according to her is really important espe-cially that she is the direct contact of the beneficiaries.

From timid mother to active parent leader

...continued on page 22

Aling Jonista with Mang Mersn and their youngest daughter.

Page 21

...continued on page 23

For area supervisors and area coordinators, recruitment, selection and hiring will still be done by the department. This is our turf which we should not relinguish. On the financial and logistical aspects, we must acknowledge the support that local governments have given to the project – from the provision of board and lodging, transportation, some supplies and materials, moral support like the writing of the barangay captains and volunteer workers asking them to assist the field-workers and many others. Even the barangay officials have given such support. Seldom have we encountered barangay officials who did not suppor the project. Now this informal set-up can be maintained, meaning we won’t oblige them to provide all these types of support but we will still ask them to provide support or the sup-port can be strengthened and explicitly stated also in the MOA. We must note that in all the activities of NHTS-PR, ex-cept maybe the 1

st household assessment when the

field workers were allowed to have cash advance for their travel expenses, no cash advance is now allowed for MOA workers. I guess this is where the local govern-ments can come in, maybe on a case-to-case basis de-pending on capability - the provision of the travel ex-pense for field staff. From experience, almost all, if not all, of the workers hired are either fresh out of college, jobless and/or come from households that could barely make both ends meet. This means that they don’t have money to defray travel expense. Of course, many, if not all of them were able to remedy the situation but they have to literally and figuratively shed blood, sweat and tears to able to do so. What better arrangement could there be than to ask the local governments to shoulder meantime their travel ex-penses to be reimbursed later by the department? Or a 50 – 50 sharing could be agreed upon. Or they can be requested to shoulder the travel expense 100% as coun-terpart. Of course, this has to be studied thoroughly so that parameters could be properly set and specified in the MOA.

Now, what are the possibilities when it comes to the conduct of household assessment? Two things. The NMPO may opt for saturation or still proceed with pockets of poverty. In saturation, all households, whether rich or poor or working class, will be assessed. This is a nice strategy as it will give us a true and clearer picture of the poverty situation and will allow for the correct determination of the per-centage of the poor against the whole. There would be no more need for ODA and, maybe, validation. The check and balance here to en-sure 100% assessment is for the barangay captain to issue a certification that all house-holds in his/her barangay were assessed after assessment is done in his/her barangay. As for the downside, it would entail tremendous

additional costs and also longer enumeration period. Anoth-er is, the middle and upper classes, those belonging to so-cial classes A, B and C might put up resistance, meaning, they would not want to submit themselves for enumeration for security or some other reasons. The 2nd possibility is saturation with some modification, or if the word saturation is misplaced here, then let’s just term it “pockets of poverty”, meaning, all households except the middle and upper classes will be assessed. Now to make sure that only those belonging to social classes D and E will be included in the assessment, the local governments thru the barangay officials and the SWDO and certified by the mayor will come up with a list of household not to be as-sessed, the ABCs, which will surely be shorter than if they come up with a list of households to be assessed. The ad-vantages are the costs will be relatively lower. To ensure that all households belonging to the D and E are included, again the

The Local Governments—from page 19

DSWD Field Office 02 Staff of Regional Household Targeting Unit assess a family

in Brgy. Lukidnon, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya using the Household

Assessment Form to determine if they are qualified to be in the list of the poor

household regionwide.

Mr. Felipe Adarme, Regional Field Supervisor during the conduct of special

assessment at Lukidnon, Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya.

Page 22

Managing problems With her trainings, Aling Jonista manages to solve problems regarding the program. As parent leader, she makes sure that all prob-lems encountered by her members were properly address thru forwarding those to right the person who can address the issue and gives clarification. Meanwhile, Mariliyn V. Espejo, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer also affirmed the leadership style of Aling Jonista. “She is a capable leader and I see in her the qualities of being an effective parent leader,” Ms. Espejo said. Likewise, according to Mr. Aman, Aling Jonista also gained respect and support from her members if she presided meetings especially if there are updates, forms to be filled up required by DSWD and an-nouncements. Community involvement Aside from being an active parent leader, the family of Aling Jonista also demonstrated commitment and dedication to be involved in the community affairs. When there are community assemblies in their barangay, Aling Jonista actively partici-pates in the meeting. She even suggests to local officials how to address some problems that their barangay encounters. Empowered Woman Aling Jonista believes that the role of a woman does not con-fine in taking care of her family, providing and attending their needs. Aling Jonista said during the interview that women have an important role in the society. They can be the chan-nel of change, a contributor for development. Because of her willingness to learn more and to share what she has to other, Aling Jonista is one of the active members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), which aims to respond to the need of organizing the women which genuinely promotes women’s development and empowerment through harnessing their strengths and developing their full potentials for leadership and ac-tion. Entrepreneurial Skill

Recently, Aling Jonista was unanimously elected as President of the Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran, a livelihood program of DSWD. Again, she embraced the challenge of being the leader of another organization but this time, to lead them on how to ven-ture on livelihood opportunities.

“Ayoko sanang tanggapin yung responsibilidad, pero naisip ko, tao mismo ang naniniwala sa kakayahan ko, sila mismo ang naglagay sa akin bilang Presidente ng SEA-K kaya tinanggap ko na rin at hindi ko sila bib-iguin,” Aling Jonista added.

Achiever Children “My children’s achievement is also my achievement,” said Aling Jonista. For a parent who did not finish her education, it is already a triumph for Aling Jonista and Mang Merson seeing their children crossing the stage of fulfillment. All her children are on top of their classes and excelled in their education. Because of her chil-dren’s performance in school, Aling Jonista was also chosen as President in the Parent, Teacher Classroom Association and Treasurer for the whole PTA in the school where her children are enrolled. Parenting and Social Responsibilities Strengthen Aling Jonista and Mang Merson both admitted that the program changes their family life situation. Change not

From timid mother—-from page 20

...continued on page 23

Dingcog family ventures also on their small

flower farm to meet both ends.

Various medals and r i b b o n s o f A l i n g Jonista’s children who e x c e l l e d i n t h e i r

education.

only in their economic or health condition but also in some other ways. Aling Jonista proudly shared that her husband became more supportive in every decision. “He became more caring to me and to my children when he started joining the Family Development Sessions,” Aling Jonista added. A volunteer It was no other than the Municipal Mayor who said that the Dingcog family actively participated in every activity of the barangay. “I have known the family for being involved in various community activities especially during disaster times,” Mayor Balasya of Kayapa added. Ms. Marilyn Espejo also confirmed that Aling Jonista led other parents during the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela last summer of 2012. Environment friendly Aling Jonista and Mang Merson had ventured on their small flower farm and vegetable farm. “Hindi kami umaa-sa sa tinatanggap naming buwan buwan, kasi kung

Page 23

barangay captain will have to issue a certification that all households belonging to social classes D and E were assessed, certified correct by the SWDO, and maybe also the mayor. Maybe, we could do away with ODA but still proceed with the validation to reduce inclusion and exclusion errors to zero, if there’s still a need. Now, if there will still be com-plaints later on, specially on exclusion, then maybe it's time to review the PMT which may be too stringent. Again, on the issue of the politically – identified poor, this issue will always be there. For as long as poverty lingers on, there will always be people out to exploit or take ad-vantage of the situation but I'm sure they are in the mi-nority. Even then, let’s not despair. Assuming that there will be political – poor included in the list of households to be assessed, we must not forget that it’s our data-gathering tool – the HAF – that will be used. Besides, the Proxy Means Test, the sole determinant of who will be poor, will still be run. So nobody can put one over us in this respect. Another concern is the feedback coming in from local governments, only 1 or 2 anyway, that our field staff did a table “survey” during the conduct of the household as-sessment. To answer this, may I emphasize that the feedback came long after the household assessment was done and it was too late to do verify the report. 2

nd, these

local governments may have misread the conduct of the

supervisors stayed in just one area to receive applications and complaints as “table survey”. On hindsight, I can only surmise that these could have been avoided had they been more actively involved in our processes. I honestly believe that all the complaints about exclusion and inclusion would be reduced to a minimum with more active involvement from the local governments. To sum it all up, the conduct of the next round of household assessment in 2013 can be improved, given all the insights gained from the past. Let’s encourage the local govern-ments to be more actively involved. Let’s formalize the agreements through the execution of a MOA. Let’s operate in an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation that befit true partners. Besides, what greater motivation is there for the local governments to make use of the data generated by the NHTS-PR than to make them active partners and CO-OWNERS of the project?! Maybe we can do away with the MOA on data-sharing once this happened. These are just proposals. I’m not saying that these are the

best ideas. If there are better ideas as I’m sure there are

many, by all means, bring them out in the market place of

ideas and see which we can adopt – my idea, your idea, it

doesn’t matter. What’s important to me is the household

assessment that will be done this year will be relatively

smooth and problem –free…and maybe, just maybe, we’ll

have more fun (in the Philippines!)### By Felipe Adarme,

NHTS-PR Regional Field Supervisor

tutuusin, hindi yun sapat sa pang-araw-araw naming pan-gangailangan. Kailangan din naming tulungan ang gaming sarili kung kayat, itong flower farm namin at maliit na vege-table farm, dito kami kumikita,” Aling Jonista elaborated. “Nagtatanim din kami ng mga puno sa paligid ng aming bahay upang hindi kami ma-landslide,” Mang Merson shared referring to their house which is located near the mountain. Cleanliness has always been the policy of the Dingcog fam-ily inside and outside their home. Church goers The Dingcog family belongs to “Tinipuyog Ken Kappia dagi-ti Namati gapu K’ayat ni Cristo Inc (TCDNACI) where Aling Jonista is one of the Board of Directors. The whole family never failed to attend their Sunday fellowship. Because of the invaluable community involvement of Dingcog family as one of the program beneficiaries in the municipality of Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, the Municipal Mayor Atty. John Balasya and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Mariliyn V. Espejo said that the Dingcog family is the epitome of a role model family in their community. ### By Angely M. Lubo-Mercado, Re-gional Information Officer

From timid mother—-from page 22

The Local Governments—from page 21

I AM HOME…

(Message of Director Violeta A. Cruz during her first peptalk with the Field Office II staff on January 28, 2013) First, I would like to thank everyone for the very warm welcome you have shown me, from the time I stepped down from the airplane until I arrived here at the Field Office. The beautiful and smiling faces of FO2 staff in-stantly put me at ease. My colleagues have been telling me about the hospitality of Region II. They said that “suwerte daw ako kasi mababait ang mga taga-FO2.” Yes, they were right. I felt your ardent acceptance for me, which made me ex-claimed, “This is home.” Yet, when I first learned that my new assignment will be Region 02, I was hesitant. You see, all of my children live abroad already. It is only me and my husband who live here in the Philippines. I was saddened upon know-ing that I will be assigned to Cagayan Valley because this means that I will be separated from my betterhalf. “Dadalawa na nga lang kami magka-kahiwalay pa”. But of course, I have to respond to my call of duty so I am here with you. And I have no regrets. Field Office 02 is my second area as the Regional Director. I have been working with DSWD for almost thirty eight years. I have gone to different regions, to different places but never had I set foot in the lands of Cagayan Valley. I had a feeling that Region 02 might be the last place where I will be assigned, my intuition was right. I am truly happy to be here with you. I may be far from my love ones, but that sadness somehow outweighed by the joy of being with you. Together, let us continue striving for excellence. Let us carry on our burning desire to serve and protect the welfare of the less fortunate. Let us soar even higher to attain the DSWD’s vision, mission and goals. With all our converged efforts and unselfish commitment to deliver social services with integrity, I know we are on the right track. And all that we have been aspiring for is near within our grasp. Once again, let us continue to live with the DSWD’s mantra. And thank you for making me feel, for making me say, “I am home.” ###

EDITORIAL BOARD:

CONSULTANTS: EDITOR IN CHIEF: VIOLETA A. CRUZ ANGELY M. LUBO-MERCADO Regional Director Regional Information Officer II PONCIANA P. CONDOY Director III Writers: Maricel Asejo, Pantawid Information Officer II Ailyn Aglaua, Administrative Assistant III Felipe Adarme, NHTS Regional Field Supervisor Contributors: Kevin Malate-Information Technology Officer II Residents of Cagayan Valley Regional Rehabilitation for Youth Residents of Regional Haven for Women and Girls Oliver Baccay-PIA Information Officer

DOS in FOCUS is quar-terly produced by the Social Marketing Unit, DSWD Field Office 02, Regional Government Center, Carig, Tuguegarao City. For your comments and suggestions, please email at fo2.dswd.gov.ph or call us at (078) 846-7043/846-7418.