“We will continue and improve social protection programs that aim to provide immediate relief and timely assistance to the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the country including  the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the Conditional Cash Transfer of the Philippines. However, these programs will be complemented by initiatives that will help the poor stand on their own through jobs, asset reforms and other pro-people economic and social reform initiatives.”

This was the message of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo as delivered by Undersecretary Mateo G. Montano during the visit of the delegates of the Asia-Pacific Social Protection Regional Conference at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City today.

“At this point, we are recognizing the need to focus on helping the reported segment of beneficiaries of the 4Ps to become independent and self-reliant after they have graduated from the program.  We will study factors contributing to the achievement of their “near poor” status as well as analyze ways on how to deal with vulnerabilities so they will not slide back when faced with external shocks,” Sec. Taguiwalo stated.

Under the present administration, the DSWD will pilot test and consequently implement programs, which will put emphasis on convergence strategies that will enhance social cohesion through community organizing, livelihood development as well as provision of subsidies for college education and health services for the targeted beneficiaries. These would entail better coordination with other government agencies as well as the private sector to address supply-side challenges in the delivery of social protection programs and services.

Likewise, the Department will continue and enhance its programs in response to emergencies and calamities, safeguard donations both monetary and in-kind, and ensure timely, adequate and proper distribution of relief assistance to affected communities.

Besides providing immediate relief and assistance, the Department will study and implement strategies to enhance capacities of communities toward climate change adaptation and resilience.

“We believe such an effort is needed to help reduce vulnerability and increase resilience towards shocks,” Sec. Taguiwalo emphasized.

The Secretary likewise reiterated the Duterte administration’s call focusing on Tunay na Malasakit para sa Mahihirap (Genuine and Compassionate Care for the Poor).

“The DSWD will endeavor to provide genuine care and concern by extending prompt, adequate and compassionate service to the Filipino people, especially the poor,” Sec. Taguiwalo stated.

“In all these efforts, we also hope to usher in a broader look at development which is not just reducing deprivation but essentially about transformation – structural, institutional and normative – in ways that add to a country’s wealth-creating potential, ensuring the gains are widely shared and extending the possibilities for future generations,” Sec. Taguiwalo expounded.

Asia-Pacific Conference

The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference currently being held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from August 1-5  dovetails with the celebration of Social Protection Week, and will feature recent issues affecting social protection in developing economies and showcase successful stories from countries with advanced social protection systems.

APSP 2016 will also tackle the relevance of social protection in the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the need for financing comprehensive social protection systems. The week-long event will also touch on emerging areas of social protection that are not yet widely discussed like social protection for informal workers and the role of ICT in social protection delivery.

It is participated in by government representatives, private companies involved in social protection services delivery, the academe, civil society organizations (CSOs), and development organizations. ###