CAMIGUIN (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-10 has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Camiguin local government, a major step toward supporting the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
DSWD Field Office-10 Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen spearheaded the signing of the MOA with Camiguin Gov. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, symbolizing the collective commitment to enhancing the 4Ps implementation in the island province. The ceremony took place at the Camiguin Polytechnic State College, Mambajao, Camiguin, amidst a gathering of stakeholders.
Kenneth Haze Sanchez Lustre, the 4Ps Regional Program coordinator, and Maida G. Baclayo, the Camiguin Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer, also attended the signing of the MOA.
The agreement is based on the Kilos Unlad Framework of 4Ps case management, a strategy that aims to guide households towards improved well-being and poverty alleviation through collaborative efforts between DSWD and LGUs.
Under the framework, DSWD will transition beneficiaries to LGUs for aftercare services, wherein the LGUs will monitor and provide support interventions outlined in the approved sustainability plan.
The transition of exiting 4Ps beneficiaries from DSWD Field Office X to the LGUs is based on locally crafted transition plans by respective inter-agency committees.
"As of March this year, Camiguin has seen 807 beneficiaries graduate from the 4Ps due to improved well-being, with an additional 994 households reaching Level 3 status of self-sufficiency. Currently, the island has a total of 5,737 active beneficiaries," Jamen said.
He also emphasized that social protection doesn't cease after exiting the 4Ps program, highlighting the importance of LGUs in ensuring continued support for families.
Jamen emphasized the importance of a comprehensive local social protection ordinance, complementing it with the 4Ps program to ensure sustainable poverty reduction.
With this MOA, the Camiguin LGU, through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), will take the lead in collaborating with the province's five towns to enact ordinances complementing the 4Ps.
Additionally, the Camiguin Provincial Government will provide logistical support for monitoring exited 4Ps households.
Director Jamen expressed optimism, stating that the agreement would contribute to lifting households out of poverty and ensuring their sustained well-being even beyond the prescribed period for the conditional cash grant.
This collaboration marks the second provincial LGU to sign an MOA with DSWD, following Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque's recent agreement to strengthen and complement 4Ps implementation in his province.
With over 257,000 active 4Ps households in northern Mindanao, such partnerships between DSWD and LGUs are crucial steps towards realizing sustainable social protection for indigent Filipinos. (DSWD/PIA-10/Camiguin)
