To strengthen the Pantawid Pamilya program implementation at the municipal level, the DSWD recently launched its Municipal Partnership Consultation Workshop with the Department of Education in San Fabian, Pangasinan in May 2011.

The activity provided a venue for a meaningful dialogue between the staff of the Pantawid Pamilya and the DepEd to identify areas for improvement in the program implementation and consequently create plans of action.

During the orientation, the teachers expressed their desire to get involved in the selection of beneficiaries. It was clarified that there is no human influence in the selection process. Computerized systems called Proxy Means Test (PMT) conducted by the NHTS-PR and the Eligibility Check conducted by Pantawid Pamilya identified the poor households and those eligible to be included in the Pantawid Pamilya program.

Portraying the Convergence Strategy Framework, “Ang Bangka ni Juan sa Region 1” was presented. This stressed the importance of converging the different programs of the Department with various stakeholders to attain an improved quality of life of the people particularly the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, being the Convergence’s point of entry.

The Compliance Verification System (CVS) was also discussed and described as a tool that negates Pantawid Pamilya from being a dole out program. Also presented were the initial results of CVS monitoring highlighting those Pantawid Pamilya areas with low beneficiaries’ compliance rate which include Bani, Pangasinan – 0-5 years old (health); Burgos, Pangasinan – 3-5 years old (education) and Mangatarem, Pangasinan – 6-14 years old (education).

On Supply Side Assessment (SSA), it was found out that most of the Pantawid Pamilya areas have shortage of deworming pills. However, most DepED representatives claimed that there is an ample supply of deworming pills in their respective areas. The body further agreed that District Nurses shall provide data on deworming to school Principals to indicate accurate data for SSA and CVS.

The Department of Education helps in monitoring the compliance of beneficiaries in terms of the 85% school attendance requirement. To achieve the program’s objectives in education, DepEd provides the supply requirements which include teachers, classrooms, textbooks and other educational facilities.

Through their response messages, Dagupan City DepEd representative Mr. William Gando said that talents, resources, combined with passion are needed to address the situation of the disadvantaged sector of the society. Likewise, Pangasinan representative Mr. Rodolfo Maynigo said that everyone should get rid of the fatalistic mentality of “bahala na” stressing everyone’s responsibility and accountability to the people.

With issues addressed, both agencies look forward to a strengthened partnership in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya Program particularly at the Municipal level. ( by: Allan O. Lulu/Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer)