DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) – “One component of any poverty reduction program is the empowerment of the communities and individuals,” Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 5 said during a media forum here held recently.
Quintilla said the DSWD did not only give assistance but also empowered communities and individuals in which beneficiaries should comply with the conditions in order to avail themselves of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The DSWD also organized the community before the implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).
Quintilla said these are some of the ways in order to sustain the fight against poverty. It made some progress before the pandemic that reduced poverty.
A number of poor families slid back into poverty due to the pandemic and oil price hikes that had an impact on the scarcity train. The government will address these concerns through an enhanced anti-poverty program, Quintilla said.
On the other hand, 4Ps beneficiary Renalie Ponayo of Barangay San Jose, San Vicente, thanked the DSWD for its program which she said enabled her to sustain the education expenses of her children.
Ponayo said they have learned a lot in their Family Development Sessions (FDSs) like backyard gardening, family planning, saving money, and livelihood skills.
She was also one of the 2,294 target beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) in which she embarked on hog raising as their livelihood.
Ponayo was also a volunteer of the KALAHI-CIDSS, a parent leader, and a community volunteer.
