DSWD Learning Visit 2017 - What changed?

It’s no longer new for any of us to see or hear about Filipinos living in poverty. After all, poverty remains one of our largest growing problems in the Philippines. Often times, we encounter people who would beg for charity or watch tragic, life-changing stories being aired on TV. 

It's good to know that there are those who go out of their way to help these people by any means. Whether it includes sending money to disaster stricken families or just giving food to that in need, many of us have that sense of compassion to help, including government employees who work in the area of community development.

Honestly though, as one from the "millennial" generation, I didn't exactly know the role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in building this country. Like many of my peers, I am guilty of lacking the initiative to find out more -- until I got involved in a learning tour that opened my eyes and changed my perspectives as a Filipino.  

DSWD, for those who don't know, is essentially the executive department of the Philippine Government that's responsible for the protection of the social welfare rights of Filipinos and the promotion of social development. What it basically does is provide aid to citizens, most often the needy individuals and families and to educate them as well.

While our government has its history and consistent track record of corruption in addition to citizens who keep electing the same types of personalities in office, seemingly barely learning anything from the lessons of past mistakes, there are still people in the government who are decent and honest, and who do their jobs accordingly. 

It's funny how society often criticizes the government, particularly the DSWD, for not doing enough to reduce poverty in the country. Yet, most of these same critics in society do not know the whole story and who do nothing but complain instead of finding out more.

Recently I was able to visit the towns of Dolores, Candaleria, Lucena, Gumaca, and Atimonan in Quezon province as part of a learning visit organized by the DSWD Region-IVA to provide first-hand observation on how they implement the following: the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT), Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), as well as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Our visits included several talks and interviews with actual beneficiaries of DSWD programs. Most on-site officials from DSWD also gave lectures in each community. Majority of the attendees were mothers because their husbands were away working the daily grind either as laborers, fishermen, or farmers. The lectures presented included skills training, self-awareness and leadership training, youth art workshop, family enhancement, and educational and livelihood assistance. It's nice knowing that despite their limited proximity to broader sources they are given access to useful information like these. It was also pleasing to see the lecturers having a jolly attitude while teaching, which kept the sessions enjoyable as well.

One of the projects we encountered during the trip included a small yet capable health center known as Brgy. Pinagdanlayan Health Center. It services dozens of people daily, including those from neighboring barangays in Dolores. Notable, too, was the Sama-Bajau Beadmaking Training Family Development Session in Lucena City that provides interventions for the indigenous families of Sama-Bajau, training them to make a living from selling rugs, soaps, and beads accessories. 

However, I'd have to say that I most enjoyed visiting the Fiberglass Boat Livelihood Project in Atimonan, which gave fishermen access and skills to build and produce their own fiberglass boats. The boats were very different compared to the conventional bancas because they are sturdier but lighter than wood so they won’t be easily be damaged over time.

It was a humbling experience to have spoken to the beneficiaries of the DSWD and listening to their stories on how they struggle to provide for their families, especially when most of us who went there sometimes take our blessings and provisions for granted. Normally, we only see these kinds of scenarios on television and easily lose the moment as soon as we switch to the next channel. What I can tell you now is that hearing the stories in person is definitely not the same as just watching it on TV.

The trip was was a brief, yet engaging, two-day experience for me. Coming back from the tour, I can only hope that what I shared here, and the other write ups posted by my other blogger companions, would be able to give you some insight, address concerns, or clear any little doubts you may have towards the government and its workers in general. 

Despite some of its faults and shortcomings, DSWD have definitely progressed over the past years. It’s already a fact and, more importantly, the families of the beneficiaries are the proof that things are getting done. They might not be 100% out of poverty yet, but steps are being taken to help them out. Based on what I personally saw, DSWD is deserving of appreciation and recognition for the progress they have so far achieved.