DSWD Learning Tour 2018: My Takeaway

Looking back, I am amazed at how much knowledge I gained after the three day immersion and how little I know before about the Department of Social Welfare and Development and its programs, as evidenced in my earlier POST! Being in there, an actual experience is a much better teacher than being lectured on theories in classroom style setting, which could be boring!

DSWD Region 4 office in Alabang.
DSWD Region 4 office in Alabang.

The schedule visiting the beneficiaries and volunteers and being informed with their first hand experience is balanced with ample time to unwind, i.e., recreational side activities!

Side trips to popular tourist spots and attractions, help us appreciate more our culture and heritage as a Filipino.

300 steps to Kamay ni Hesus.
300 steps to Kamay ni Hesus.

In going to the enterprising communities, we were given a chance to support them by patronizing their products which are way cheaper coz they are manufacturers or farmers. No middlemen there.

Nationalism is also promoted by favoring indigenous handicrafts and sourcing from locally produced crop.

Pandan weaving, bag by Lala ladies.
Pandan weaving, bag by Lala ladies.

Evaluation on the 3 day DSWD Learning Tour 2018

I somehow learned how the core programs are implemented: Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social services (KALAHI- CIDSS)- like the guidelines, how much pesos is granted, etc.

I wish I could say that I changed my mindset, but no. Because in the first place, I am not an ANTI. I am surrounded by impoverished communities and as such, I do not really condemn or judge them. I fully sympathize with them from the start. We will not be able to fully comprehend their difficult situation because we are not in their shoes!

Trek to Brgy Remedios 1, Mauban, Quezon.
Trek to Brgy Remedios 1, Mauban, Quezon.

They say that DSWD promotes the poor people being indolent because they can freely get money and not work hard for it, which is not true. It is not like sinubo na lang sa kanila, NO! I appreciate that the help they get makes them motivated and dream higher! After all, they also had to abide by certain conditions!

Some issues and speculations that there were middle class who are also taking advantage of the 4Ps which the DSWD folks  denied as being impossible coz there is audit or subject for evaluation before they get approved. And even if this is true, well, no system is perfect! We should be the ones who are vigilant and protective, maybe tell them what you know (sumbong), to ensure that the limited funds go to those who are in dire need! Report at your local 4Ps office, message at fb.com/Pantawid.GRS or text to 3456 or 09189122813.

But what I can say is that the cycle of poverty really needs to be broken thru proper education/ higher literacy rate, plus control of overpopulation! Indigent people tend to multiply rapidly and from a very young age, this I think DOH needs to make better programs for that. To add, there were numerous kawawa stray dogs! Local veterinary offices need budget to prevent this thru FREE spay/neuter programs for the animals!

Vloggers and staff with Paete Mayor Rojilyn Bagabaldo, who I find to be simple and down to Earth, and active in going around!
Vloggers and staff with Paete Mayor Rojilyn Bagabaldo, who I find to be simple and down to Earth, and active in going around!

I am quite satisfied. We were treated nicely. Leading a kind of sedentary lifestyle, frankly, I was fatigued with some of the activities so I rested the whole day after getting back home. But it was definitely a fun, memorable experience! :)

More details in the videos:

Comments

  1. Gusto ko din makarating jan sa kamay ni Hesus.. Wahhhh ang ganda 😍😍😍

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Visit na! Hindi naman ganon kalayo at ang gaan ng feeling after :)

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