INTRODUCTION

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman’s second tour of duty at the DSWD signaled the start of a new era in governance in line with Aquino administration’s thrusts on  poverty reduction, particularly a review of the targeting system database for all social welfare and development programs, identification of new approaches to address the needs of disaster affected families, and ensuring that both public and private networks in disaster affected communities are closely coordinated.

Moving towards Convergence

Rising to the challenge, the DSWD has developed a Convergence Framework that aims to maximize the impact of its poverty reduction programs through an effective targeting system and a holistic community development approach. The Convergence Strategy consists of the three key programs of the Department which are: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya), Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and Self-Employment Assistance –Kaunlaran (SEA-K) .

The three-legged poverty reduction approach of the DSWD responds to the unique contexts of various segments of the poor. Sensitive to the capacities and needs of the people, each of the programs has its own strategies and outputs. In every stage of development, both public and private sectors have identified their contributions for the improvement of the well being of the beneficiaries.

The first component aims to secure the most vulnerable sectors through protective social services. The DSWD provides assistance for education and health services through the conditional cash transfer program or Pantawid Pamilya. To complement the CCT, microfinance institutions enhance the capacities of the beneficiaries through financial literacy programs and increase their security levels through micro insurance and savings facilities, specifically done in Family Development Sessions.

The second leg of convergence seeks to improve the financial access of the transitional poor through direct support to communities for local development through community driven development, specifically the KALAHI-CIDSS. The KALAHI-CIDSS program provides technical and financial assistance to communities for the construction of social infrastructure projects such as potable water systems, footpaths, bridges, roads, health facilities, day care centers and classrooms. The role of the private sector in this aspect is on skills development, community building and capital augmentation through microfinance.

The third component supports the economically active poor through community driven enterprise development. The DSWD currently provides technical assistance and non-collateral, non-interest loans to the entrepreneurial poor under the Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program. The program enables the poor to have access to credit, increase their income, enhance socio-economic skills, and develop positive entrepreneurial values. To support this program, private sector partners complement government initiatives through assistance in the following areas: enterprise development, microfinance, business development services, and market matching.

A combination of these three programs are extended to the municipalities and barangays identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).   NHTS- PR is a data management system which identifies who and where the poor are. It aims to rationalize the allocation of government resources to those who most deserve the assistance.

Secretary Soliman had a nationwide roadshow to introduce the Convergence Framework to the different local government units and to the beneficiaries.

Hurdling the challenge of defending the DSWD 2011 budget was also an accomplishment of the DSWD, given the numerous concerns raised by the senators and congressmen.   Secretary Soliman said that “we will take on the responsibility to ensure that the trust given to us will not be wasted.” Furthermore, the 2011 budget is also indicative of the fact that we trust the poor that they will use the money (throught the Conditional Cash Transfer) to invest in education and health. Eventually, these forms of investment will lead to long-term benefits, such as breaking the intergenerational poverty cycle.

The DSWD’s modest achievements in 2010 are a testimony that public service and good governance transcend changes in leadership and politics. The men and women in the DSWD have risen to the challenges owing to the solid support of a new government that is ready to deliver the much needed services.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1. Assistance to disaster victims

The Department has continously assisted families affected by calamities such as typhoons ‘Basyang,’ ‘Juan’ and ‘Katring’, flashflood incidents in Regions II, III, CAR and Capiz, Region VI, and  seismic activities of Mt. Mayon and Mt. Bulusan

The DSWD extended augmentation support for victims of disasters amounting to more than P35,602,440.30 which came from DSWD's disaster fund and quick response fund, the President's calamity fund, and Core Shelter fund covering relief assistance, early recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

This support covered 551,672 families with 2,462,277 individuals affected by various disasters nationwide such as armed conflicts, bombings, and explosions, deportation, landslides, conflagrations, heavy rains, high tides and waves, flooding, sea tragedies, storm surges, strong winds, tornados, and tropical cyclones.

The DSWD is member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), formerly the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the policy-making body on disaster concerns in the country.  The DSWD Secretary  serves as co-chairperson of the NDRRMC.

The DSWD is in charge of food and non-food relief packages in 66 of the 80 hazard-prone areas which had been identified and mapped by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

2. The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR)

The NHTS-PR which identifies the poor who are qualified for government assistance has identified some 4,464,430 poor households as of December 28, 2010.

The information generated by the NHTS-PR on poor households are now being used by groups and organizations involved in social protection programs, such as PhilHealth’s insurance coverage and Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project of the Department of Health, the International Labor Organization (ILO),  the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), and the Office of the Quezon City Vice-Mayor.

3.  Pro-Poor and Livelihood Programs

3.1 Pantawid Pamilya

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) is a poverty reduction and social development program that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly of children aged 0-14.

To avail the cash grants, conditions must be followed by beneficiaries of the program. These conditions were set to break the intergenerational poverty cycle through investments in human capital as follows:

• Pregnant women must get pre- and post-natal care and be attended during childbirth by skilled health personnel
• Parent/guardians must attend Family Development Sessions and parenting sessions
• Children 0-5 years old  must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines
• Children aged 3-5 years old must attend day care or pre-school classes at least 85% of the time
• Children 6-14 years old must enroll in elementary or high school and attend at least 85% of the time
• Children 6-14 years old must receive deworming pills twice a year

Cash grants are released every three months through a Landbank cash card or over-the-counter payment. GCash Remit facility was tapped by LandBank of the Philippines (LBP) to handle cash releases in areas without LBP branches. The pilot testing was conducted in Burdeos, Quezon and Balabac and Taytay in Palawan. Beneficiaries claim cash grants from Globe GCash accredited outlets/merchants in Pantawid Pamilya areas (i.e. rural banks, pwnshops, big supermarkers, etc).

At present, 668 municipalities and 61 cities in 79 provinces are already implementing Pantawid Pamilya covering 1 million poorest households.

3.2 Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS)

KALAHI-CIDSS supports community projects through fund releases direct to community project accounts maintained by volunteers. Since its 2003 inception, the Project has implemented 5,326 projects, amounting to PhP 5.344 billion and benefiting 1,197,772 beneficiaries.

To date, an additional 110 projects were prioritized in the 16 new municipalities, with an estimated total cost of Php 148.96 million, 30% (PhP 44.84 million) of which are local counterpart commitments from the communities and LGUs. These projects will benefit approximately 10,225 households in 113 barangays.

The community projects which were identified by the beneficiaries as their priorities include: community water systems, school buildings, day care centers, barangay health stations,  electrification system, access roads or trails, small bridges and foot bridges, drainages, river/flood control, sea walls, soil protection (rip raps), artificial coral reef sanctuaries and sanitation facilities, community economic enterprise training, equipment and materials support projects, pre- and post-harvest and multi-purpose facilities, small scale irrigation and community transport , light house and eco-tourism

More poor municipalities will be covered nationwide with the KALAHI-CIDSS Project Scale-up, which will utilize funding from the World Bank’s (WB) Additional Financing (AF) and from the United State’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The two support funds were approved September this year.

KALAHI-CIDSS’ AF worth USD 59.1 million will comprise 220 new and previously covered municipalities and will involve an Urban Program which will be piloted in four urban poor communities (one each in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).

The USD 120 million MCC grant dubbed as the KC-MCC meanwhile, will cover 187 new and previously covered municipalities in Luzon and Visayas.

The Project Scale-up translates into the coverage expansion from 42 to 48 provinces; from 184 to 367 municipalities; and from 4,229 to about 8,400 barangays.

Qualitative impacts of the Project are seen in the capability building activities to community members where they learn situational assessment, project proposals preparation, implementation and management. Improvements also in governance engagements were seen, and the Barangay Assembly (BA) as a venue for citizen participation was revitalized in the areas studied.

Initial results of the Quantitative Evaluation, on the other hand, show significant gains in education, health and employment. Improved access to socio-economic infrastructure and facilities in both the barangay and the household levels were also seen. Participation and social capital of households were exhibited through the increase in organization membership, attendance to barangay assemblies, awareness of the barangay’s finances and the willingness to contribute time and effort for community development projects.

3.3 Poder y Prosperidad de la Communidad (PODER)

This project adopts the community driven development processes and principles of KALAHI-CIDSS. It is funded by the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID).

Since 2005, Poder has covered 543 barangays, 32 municipalities and 9 provinces in Regions III, V, and CARAGA.

PODER is a prime example of the convergence efforts of the Department as it complements the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) in its Phase 5. It assisted participating LGUs in the improvement of basic social services in communities and trained parents on health and education in 188 barangays within eight municipalities covered also by the 4Ps in Regions III, V and CARAGA. For its Phase 5, it has funded 111 community projects composed of 44 health stations, 42 school buildings and 25 day care centers.

In 2010, 72 projects worth PhP 60 Million were completed  benefiting 18,908 households in 72 barangays.

3.4 Self-Employment Assistance-Kaularan (SEA-K ) Program

The SEA-K Program is a livelihood and capability building program aimed at enhancing the socio-economic skills of poor families towards establishing and managing sustainable community-based credit organizations for entrepreneurial development.

In 2010, there were 662 SEA-K projects established benefiting 12,942 families nationwide.  Funds amounting to P63,369,300.00 have been released as seed capital for the livelihood projects.

The SEA-K program enables the poor to have access to credit, promote entrepreneurship, increase understanding on values of honest work, pay debts and social responsibility.    

4. PROTECTIVE SERVICES

One of the priorities of the DSWD is the provision of social protection programs and services to its center-based and community-based clients.

Center-based services are rendered in facilities referred to as "centers" on a daily basis or during part of the day.  Clients of these facilities are abandoned and neglected children, street children, children in conflict with the law, girls and women in especially difficult circumstances, older persons, persons with disabilities and persons with special needs.  The centers provide social, homelife, educational, psychological or psychiatric, economic productivity or skills training, socio-cultural, recreational, dental or medical, and spiritual services.

In 2010, the DSWD served 10,077 clients through its 63 residential care facilities, and 456 clients in seven (7) non-residential facilities.  A total of 543,126 client’s days of care and with a total bed capacity of 4,574 for both residential and non-residential centers.

Community-based services consist of preventive, rehabilitative and developmental programs.

Awards and Recognitions

The year 2010 was another fruitful year for the DSWD as it continued to reap awards and recognitions. According to Ulat ng Bayan, conducted by Pulse Asia during the 4th quarter of 2010, the Department ranked number one among the best performing government agencies. The survey result demonstrates that the DSWD has always been "focused on the delivery of services to the people, and is a clear manifestation that the programs being implemented by the DSWD are being felt by the poor." 

Likewise, DSWD garnered 100 percent awareness in the "Ulat ng Bayan" survey, and was once again recognized as the top ranking government agency in the implementation of the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP).

The DSWD was also cited by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia for coming up with an excellent presentation of its Performance Governance System-Balance Scorecard which tracks a government agency’s performance against a set of perspectives and measures with a definite timeline, anchored on the agency’s vision, mission and core values.

Moreover, the DSWD – Central Office Accounting Division, Financial Management Service (FMS) bagged the Most Outstanding Accounting Office Award for the quality, timeliness and accuracy of the Department’s Fiscal Year 2009 financial reports. This is the third year that the DSWD garnered the award. With this, the DSWD Accounting Division now belongs to the elite Hall of Fame category of Outstanding Accounting Offices.

Leadership by Example

Behind the success of the DSWD in fulfilling its mandate and achieving its goals are its excellent leaders, headed by Secretary Soliman who garnered the highest approval rating of 65 percent and the lowest disapproval rating of seven (7) percent among twelve Cabinet members in the 4th quarter of 2010 Pulse Asia survey. The survey also showed that Secretary Soliman enjoys 87 percent national awareness rating.

On the other hand, Undersecretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco received the Presidential Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross or “Bayani” for her more than four decades of dedicated public service for the welfare of the poor.  Undersecretary Yangco was also the recipient of the First Gat Apolinario Mabini Awards (GAMA) given by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), for her invaluable contribution to public service.

Likwise,  Undersecretary Alicia R. Bala is the Philippine Representative for children to the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).  This was in consonance with the launching of the ACWC last April 7, 2010 and the ASEAN member-countries to be represented by two (2) members, one for women and one for children, as an important measure to ensure equitable development for women and children.

Ms.  Nora Dela Paz, Management Division Chief of DSWD Field Office I was awarded by the Civil Service Commission with Dangal ng Bayan for being a forerunner of good governance, promoting transparency and accountability especially in financial transactions. 

The Road Ahead

The year 2010 laid the roadmap towards program convergence to address poverty which the Department will tread in 2011.  Along this line the DSWD targets additional 1.3 million poorest household beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya in 2011 on top of the present 1 million household beneficiaries.

With this, Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD will remain steadfast in the fulfilment of its goals.

As the DSWD celebrates its 60th Founding Anniversary in January 2011, it shall build on the gains it has achieved in reducing the vulnerabilities of the poor and the disadvantaged sectors.  It shall also focus on programs, projects, services and activities to carry out our treaty obligations and international and regional commitments as well. ### (DSWD-Social Marketing Service) 30 December 2010