DSWD6 staff leads orientation on CDD Pag-abot Program in San Isidro, Jaro

Iloilo City- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pag-abot Program recently conducted an orientation on the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach for the residents of San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Area Coordinator Kristine Hope Hugo, along with Technical Facilitator Engr. Zenny Villasis-Apresurado and Community Empowerment Facilitator Mary Lourdes Ganzon, provided an overview of the objectives of the Pag-abot Program.

The Pag-abot Program is one of the flagship programs of DSWD which aims to reach out to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, children, and families in street situations. It also seeks to improve their social well-being through social protection services, various interventions, and opportunities that fulfill their fundamental rights.

Also present at the orientation were the barangay officials, headed by Punong Barangay Ruby A. Gallano, Iloilo City Local Housing Office (ICLHO) staff, and Iloilo City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) staff Josie Villastiva.

During the orientation, Raphy F. Padernilla, the program’s beneficiary, was introduced.

Padernilla was among those living in a street situation who were reached out to by the Pag-abot Program in Sto. Niño, Marikina City.

He worked as a street food vendor, which provided a steady income sufficient to cover their daily expenses. However, due to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted their livelihood and plunged the family into financial instability, Padernilla and his family were unable to pay rent. As a result, they were forced out of their boarding house and left with no option but to live on the streets, struggling to survive.

Padernilla is currently working at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) as a permanent utility/campus sweeper. Prior to this, he was an on-call sweeper at the university.

In addition to the beneficiary introduction, AC Hugo also presented the following: the Milestone Oriented Plan (MOP), Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) activities, the identification of Participatory Situational Analysis (PSA) volunteers, and the passing of a resolution for the creation of PSA volunteers.

The session also covered the drafting of an Executive Order (EO) for the expansion of the Barangay Development Council (BDC).

The Participatory Situational Analysis is scheduled to take place next week./dswd6/date